It's nice to see the difference between this and the embroidery I'm learning. Russian embroidery called rospis (роспись) is based on the double running stitch as well. Designs used tend to be a bit different than those done in Western Europe though. Colors are commonly red but in some Slavic areas, especially towards the south, black is also very common. Russian embroidery is usually actually thread counted but home weave fabrics tend to be easier to count and also evenly woven (warp and weft same weight and count). Your eyes get trained to the fabric threads over time so they get quicker to count. You can also use the feel of your needle tip going over the fabric thread to help count.
That photoshop trick to make your own pattern is crazy! I love this I wish there was more historical embroidery content, I always thought black work was kinda boring and this totally changed my mind
In Norwegian, “blackwork” is always done in a single contrasting colour, but not always black. Black counted thread embroidery on black fabric is considered “whitework” because embroidery in the same colour as the fabric is traditionally most often white on white.
excerpt from Lady Roxanne's Blackwork Article "Blackwork is black, except when itís not. Blackwork is reversible, except when itís not. Blackwork is a counted thread technique, except when itís not. Blackwork is called ďblackwork,Ē except (you guessed it) when itís not." ...🤣 Your opening description of blackwork reminds me of that quote 👆 Thanks for the introduction to blackwork and a peek into your creative process. I’m just now trying my hand at blackwork - I’m an avid embroider (lots of interest from basic needlepoint to elaborate to crewel embroidery and the art of drawn and pulled threads... I can say that while I agree to some extent that you can “eye” the work, as hard as it is to imagine, there are those of us who work counted stitches on high count linens and yes... really count each stitch out. I think it’d be almost impossible to have a consistent fabric at the end of a project of one didn’t actually count counted work... I really think it depends on the design and expected outcome of the fabric in question.
I couldn't find this video at a better time! I've only just discovered blackwork embroidery for myself and wanted to try making some of my own pieces. Thank you for this video!
Enjoyed this video, has made me wanna start embroidering again (used to do a lot of it when I was in high school - AU high not the tertiary schooling like some other countries) and thank you for the cute badge!
Thank you. Very interesting and well done. Just a thought for future--since a few people are red/green colour blind, perhaps a different choice of contrast colours might be helpful to differentiate your threads. Thanks gain for your instructive video.
Some accessories for the traditional folk costumes of Sweden have blackwork decoration, at least the costumes from the place I grew up (Leksand). I’ve seen it in ribbons around certain caps, and as decoration on the fichu that was worn over shoulders and bust and closed in front with a brooch. Blackwork was mostly on accessories for formal and special occassions though. Swedish folk costumes are very interesting as a historical/modern practice. They’re all clearly influenced by historical fashion trends and habits of dress but even at the point where they were documented and ”frozen” (late 1800’s to early 1900’s mostly) the costumes still contained more than traces of earlier centuries. The Leksand costume for example is still largely in the 1700’s with pieces of 1600’s and 1800’s. The men’s embroidered long coat is gorgeous and I want to make one for myself one of these years... The women wore no stays though, just the shift, shirt, bodice, skirt, apron and fichu to keep it all in place, which actually seems to work pretty well even without boning. Some folk costumes from areas closer to the bigger cities look more early to mid 1800’s, even though they were documented at about the same time. Here’s a good overview image if anyone is interested thebeautifultimes.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/swedish-folk-costumes/ . In some places, it happens that some people still show up to celebrations, graduations and folk music gatherings in the traditional costume, but it is getting very rare. Leksand (and a lot of the county Dalarna) is kind of a place where ”living history” and crafts are tourist attractions, and so it happens more often there. I don’t live there anymore though, so maybe it is changing.
@@ScribbleStitch Thanks yourself for an interesting video! And if you'd like to see some images of traditional swedish blackwork, you can do an image search for svartstick, wich is the swedish name for it.
Very interesting video, thank you ! Blackwork is fascinating and it was great to have a complete video on the matter. Loved to see your process ! If you choose to make any other videos on the matter, I'll gladly watch !
WOW!! A lot goes into that. The design process is interesting. Counting could get tiring... But it looks amazing when finished. I hope I get to try it sometime soon. Thank you for a very informative video.
My passion is hand embroidery and I thank you for sharing your videos on this subject. However there are those of us who can not fully pay attention in listening because the music is very distracting for the elderly who have hearing problems. Thank you for your consideration.
I know it's possible to do stitches that look the same on both sides of the fabric, but how do we know that Holbein just didn't want to paint a slightly messy reverse side?
This is such a great question! I actually thought the same thing! But, I have found at least one extant garment with the Holbein Stitch: the mens shirt in Patterns of Fashion 4 While one example a rule does not make, this means that the precedent was there in the time :)
This was very informative, and you delivered it very well! My only critique is that you should add examples of what youre explaining so we can get a better picture of it. But awesome job!
Thank you so much for this video, I've been admiring those Henrician/English renaissance men's smock with incredible black works on them, and of course, wanting to make them as sleepwear haha. Your video really answers a lot of my questions, as information on this type of garment is quite scarce out there.
This was a lot of fun to listen to! I just finished a pair of "psuedo" blackwork cuffs (Not counted stitches, entirely done in backstitching, with non-historically recognized motifs) but I had a lot of fun playing with the form of it and researching!
Hi, sorry about the issues with the music, my editing program was disagreeing with me. The program I used for the designing process was Procreate on the iPad Pro.
Thank you for this! I’ve had a bit of difficulty trying to figure out where to start with and finding solid resources for black work, but your video made it all so much easier and accessible!
Just discovered blackwork and am really interested. I really enjoyed seeing your design process. I have two questions. First, about the tension of the fabric. In your hoop, the fabric seemed not very taut. Is that typical or a result of filming being an awkward business? Second, are knots necessary or can you just catch the threads under your stitches like when cross stiching?
Glad you enjoyed the video. To answer your questions: 1. The tension is was partially tricky and awkward filming, partially that linen is super wibbly-wobbly, and even when it's taut enough when I put the hoop on, it often loosens up over time. You want the fabric to be fairly taut in the hoop. I will have another video on black work coming out hopefully in the next month or so that will go into more detail about the actual stitching. 2. Knots are not at all necessary! I did them because I am still new at embroidery and I find it a little easier to manage, but if you have practice at catching the threads, then you absolutely do not need them :)
It's nice to see the difference between this and the embroidery I'm learning. Russian embroidery called rospis (роспись) is based on the double running stitch as well. Designs used tend to be a bit different than those done in Western Europe though. Colors are commonly red but in some Slavic areas, especially towards the south, black is also very common. Russian embroidery is usually actually thread counted but home weave fabrics tend to be easier to count and also evenly woven (warp and weft same weight and count). Your eyes get trained to the fabric threads over time so they get quicker to count. You can also use the feel of your needle tip going over the fabric thread to help count.
That photoshop trick to make your own pattern is crazy! I love this I wish there was more historical embroidery content, I always thought black work was kinda boring and this totally changed my mind
Excellent! Feeling like my Tudor smock will be beautifully adorned now. Thank you!
In Norwegian, “blackwork” is always done in a single contrasting colour, but not always black. Black counted thread embroidery on black fabric is considered “whitework” because embroidery in the same colour as the fabric is traditionally most often white on white.
Amazing comprehensive video. Wow. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 immediately subscribing.
excerpt from Lady Roxanne's Blackwork Article
"Blackwork is black, except when itís not. Blackwork is reversible, except when itís not. Blackwork is a counted thread technique, except when itís not. Blackwork is called ďblackwork,Ē except (you guessed it) when itís not." ...🤣
Your opening description of blackwork reminds me of that quote 👆
Thanks for the introduction to blackwork and a peek into your creative process.
I’m just now trying my hand at blackwork - I’m an avid embroider (lots of interest from basic needlepoint to elaborate to crewel embroidery and the art of drawn and pulled threads...
I can say that while I agree to some extent that you can “eye” the work, as hard as it is to imagine, there are those of us who work counted stitches on high count linens and yes... really count each stitch out. I think it’d be almost impossible to have a consistent fabric at the end of a project of one didn’t actually count counted work...
I really think it depends on the design and expected outcome of the fabric in question.
This was incredible! I had no idea blackstitching existed! :) Thank you! I have a new found appreciation and wonder at this art form
Hooray! I'm always happy to introduce people to new art forms!
Very well presented. Thank you so much💐
Thank you very much for this wonderful introduction. I had no idea this type of embroidery even existed.
Wonderful video! Thank you!
I couldn't find this video at a better time! I've only just discovered blackwork embroidery for myself and wanted to try making some of my own pieces. Thank you for this video!
This was so informative! Thank you! Black work is so beautiful.
Now I want to do this on my every day clothing
Great video. An enjoyable introduction!
Enjoyed this video, has made me wanna start embroidering again (used to do a lot of it when I was in high school - AU high not the tertiary schooling like some other countries) and thank you for the cute badge!
Thank you. Very interesting and well done. Just a thought for future--since a few people are red/green colour blind, perhaps a different choice of contrast colours might be helpful to differentiate your threads. Thanks gain for your instructive video.
Some accessories for the traditional folk costumes of Sweden have blackwork decoration, at least the costumes from the place I grew up (Leksand). I’ve seen it in ribbons around certain caps, and as decoration on the fichu that was worn over shoulders and bust and closed in front with a brooch. Blackwork was mostly on accessories for formal and special occassions though.
Swedish folk costumes are very interesting as a historical/modern practice. They’re all clearly influenced by historical fashion trends and habits of dress but even at the point where they were documented and ”frozen” (late 1800’s to early 1900’s mostly) the costumes still contained more than traces of earlier centuries. The Leksand costume for example is still largely in the 1700’s with pieces of 1600’s and 1800’s. The men’s embroidered long coat is gorgeous and I want to make one for myself one of these years... The women wore no stays though, just the shift, shirt, bodice, skirt, apron and fichu to keep it all in place, which actually seems to work pretty well even without boning. Some folk costumes from areas closer to the bigger cities look more early to mid 1800’s, even though they were documented at about the same time. Here’s a good overview image if anyone is interested thebeautifultimes.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/swedish-folk-costumes/ .
In some places, it happens that some people still show up to celebrations, graduations and folk music gatherings in the traditional costume, but it is getting very rare. Leksand (and a lot of the county Dalarna) is kind of a place where ”living history” and crafts are tourist attractions, and so it happens more often there. I don’t live there anymore though, so maybe it is changing.
Kim Zachris that’s really interesting! Thank you for sharing!
@@ScribbleStitch Thanks yourself for an interesting video! And if you'd like to see some images of traditional swedish blackwork, you can do an image search for svartstick, wich is the swedish name for it.
Delightful. Thank you so much.
Thank you , 1st time visiter and beginner embroiderer. you did a wonderful job teaching this lesson :-) I am inspired
This is fantastic! Thank you for the history as well as the tutorial, definitely a skill to add to my embroidery tool box
Thank you! Glad it was helpful to you
Thank you, this was interesting and helpful. I especially appreciate your details and planning.
Awesome lesson! Thank you so much!
I've been looking for more resources to learn the craft! Thank you so much for this video
Loved seeing your design process Thank you.
Thank you so much for this terrific introduction.
You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked it!
Oh my! So beautiful and now I have sooooo many ideas where I want to do some blackwork embroidery. Thank you for the video!
🖤 Thank you your wonderful video 🖤
WHOA. Im so jazzed for this Zelda outfit
This was interesting. I loved how you went into the history of it all. Your explanations were very clear and informative. Thank you!
Very interesting video, thank you ! Blackwork is fascinating and it was great to have a complete video on the matter. Loved to see your process ! If you choose to make any other videos on the matter, I'll gladly watch !
There will be another blackwork video coming out! Don't have an exact timeline, but it will be part of my Historical Zelda series!
@@ScribbleStitch Awesome ! I look forward to it !
WOW!! A lot goes into that. The design process is interesting. Counting could get tiring... But it looks amazing when finished. I hope I get to try it sometime soon.
Thank you for a very informative video.
As I remember *The Scarlet Letter*, Hester Prynne's ornately embroidered letter A might have been a form of blackwork.
Very cool! Thank you for sharing!
this is such an interesting video, thank you for this lovely introduction to a new topic.
My passion is hand embroidery and I thank you for sharing your videos on this subject. However there are those of us who can not fully pay attention in listening because the music is very distracting for the elderly who have hearing problems. Thank you for your consideration.
Yes!
I found the music way too loud. And unnecessary really.
I know it's possible to do stitches that look the same on both sides of the fabric, but how do we know that Holbein just didn't want to paint a slightly messy reverse side?
This is such a great question! I actually thought the same thing! But, I have found at least one extant garment with the Holbein Stitch: the mens shirt in Patterns of Fashion 4
While one example a rule does not make, this means that the precedent was there in the time :)
@@ScribbleStitch ah that's cool to know :) thanks! And thank you for the tutorial!
I love the content. Wish it wasn't so much read from a screen or paper beneath the camera because it's a bit distracting. Thanks for sharing the info!
This was really interesting, thank you!
If you secure the sewing thread with backstich instead of a knot the whole process can look the same with either stich.
Really enjoyed this, thank you! Stay safe and best wishes from the Aussie Sunshine State🇦🇺😎
This was very informative, and you delivered it very well! My only critique is that you should add examples of what youre explaining so we can get a better picture of it. But awesome job!
Thank you so much for this video, I've been admiring those Henrician/English renaissance men's smock with incredible black works on them, and of course, wanting to make them as sleepwear haha. Your video really answers a lot of my questions, as information on this type of garment is quite scarce out there.
12:08 The Holbein Stitch sounds like the saddle stitch.
This was a lot of fun to listen to! I just finished a pair of "psuedo" blackwork cuffs (Not counted stitches, entirely done in backstitching, with non-historically recognized motifs) but I had a lot of fun playing with the form of it and researching!
Thanks❤️. What program were you using??? Sorry, but music was too loud for me!!
Hi, sorry about the issues with the music, my editing program was disagreeing with me. The program I used for the designing process was Procreate on the iPad Pro.
Yes, I wish I could selectively mute the music on this video, as I had a difficult time hearing her over the music sometimes.
Thank you for this! I’ve had a bit of difficulty trying to figure out where to start with and finding solid resources for black work, but your video made it all so much easier and accessible!
Just discovered blackwork and am really interested. I really enjoyed seeing your design process. I have two questions.
First, about the tension of the fabric. In your hoop, the fabric seemed not very taut. Is that typical or a result of filming being an awkward business?
Second, are knots necessary or can you just catch the threads under your stitches like when cross stiching?
Glad you enjoyed the video. To answer your questions: 1. The tension is was partially tricky and awkward filming, partially that linen is super wibbly-wobbly, and even when it's taut enough when I put the hoop on, it often loosens up over time. You want the fabric to be fairly taut in the hoop. I will have another video on black work coming out hopefully in the next month or so that will go into more detail about the actual stitching. 2. Knots are not at all necessary! I did them because I am still new at embroidery and I find it a little easier to manage, but if you have practice at catching the threads, then you absolutely do not need them :)
Thank you.
There is another stitch called Holbein stitch which is a complex kind of braided chain stitch.
I didn't know that! Very cool!
The procreate process was helpful, since I work in procreate. Thanks!
background music too loud. Can't concentrate on words.
I cant hear your voice over the loud music. D: shame because I'm really interested in what you're talking about.
Great post! I think you'd like my content too. Keep up with your great work! 💖💕
The music doesn't help.