Customer Reviews

Blackwork

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whenever an embroiderer asks "What book should I get to learn about historical blackwork", the answer is always "Blackwork by Mary Gostelow".

This book is very well written, and whilst I do not agree with all her conclusions about what blackwork is - her reasoning is logical and she includes lovely pictures - both of historical and modern blackwork.

I would have liked to see some more pictures of historical works (especially colour photos) - and would have liked her to address some popular misconceptions about blackwork.

All in all - I really do love this book and it is one that I always recommend.

I admit it. I'm scared of blackwork. But this book makes it seem not quite so intimidating. Lots of examples of it are included, in numerous b/w illustrations and photos of extant Tudor/Elizabethan work (there's modern stuff, too, but I'm not as interested in that). There are also instructions for doing blackwork, though the explanations are a bit hard to follow in places. Overall, this is the best treatment of the subject I've seen yet. As an acquaintance of mine has said, while it's still in print, get it! Or you may find yourself hunting for it when it's gone.

I seriously don't know /any/ blackworkers who don't have this book.

This book provides a great basic overview of blackwork. The author covers the history of the art from the Tudor years to the present. I would have prefered a few more detailed pictures, but have otherwise am happy to have this as a reference in my library.

Many dim and fuzzy pictures, but a lovely historical needleworkers reference. Worth having in your library, and a good inspirational boost. I wouldn't consider it a pleasure read, or a quality how-to, but something in between, and wothwhile nonetheless.

Many dim and fuzzy pictures, but a lovely historical needleworkers reference. Worth having in your library, and a good inspirational boost. I wouldn't consider it a pleasure read, or a quality how-to, but something in between, and wothwhile nonetheless.

This book has a lot more information on blackwork than I was expecting, so as a researcher, I find it very useful. On the other hand the patterns contained therein, are not as many as I wanted, most of them I had seen comparable ones before.

If you belong to the SCA or another historic reenactment group, THIS is the book you want to buy. It has many fotos and references for historic garments (coifs, partlets, etc.), as well as discussions of the stitches used on each piece. I WISH I had known about it before I started my own coif!!!!

As a historical reenactor I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's full of pictures of period portraits with lovely black work designs.

The book is great to start new projects. Also perfect gift to my sister.

Great service. Thank you

Excellant book for gaining Historical information about Blackwork (not just patterns). Well written & interesting to read. Recommend to anyone wanting to know the background of the technique.