Blackwork Embroidery Tutorial & Free Blackwork Pattern for Beginners!
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- Learn how to do blackwork embroidery for beginners with this blackwork tutorial & free snowflake pattern. Well go over the basics of blackwork, the different stitches involved and how I personally approach stitching up a pattern.
Grab the free blackwork pattern at ko-fi.com/s/ac7c1dc533. Donations always welcome but never required!
00:00 Intro
00:50 What is blackwork?
02:35 Backstitch & double running stitch
09:13 Reading a blackwork pattern
12:45 The reveal
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If you enjoy my videos, please consider supporting the channel or checking out my patterns over at ko-fi.com/thegiddystitcher
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You can also find me at linksta.cc/@thegiddystitcher
And join our Discord community full of socially awkward crafters at / discord
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#blackworkembroidery #blackworktutorial #flosstube - Jak na to + styl
I'm back baby! This one gets a little waffley in parts as we dig into the details but hey, that's what chapters are for. Feel free to skip to the actual pattern, and happy stitching!
p.s. I might do a followup at some point about how to approach complicated fill patterns, but that felt like a lot for an absolute beginner tut.
I would love an update on fill patterns please! All other videos I've seen are too long and or confusing and for some reason need to give a history lesson. Your videos are short, sweet, to the point and I actually learned how to do black stitch cause of this video. I'm trying the snowflake pattern out now, but would love to move onto more complicated patterns.
Picked up a black stitch pattern today cuz I"m away from home and very few supplies and didn't want to rebuy everything. $13 at JoAnn and I'm good. And then I got home and realized I have 0 clue what the heck I'm doing. What's new, huh? And of course I didn't pick a simple pattern - no I picked a full pattern of Pride and Prejudice pages - because that's completely on brand for me. I'm 60/139 stitches on the first line. It looks SO good. I may be a bit obsessed. Your video really helped me have confidence. Thank you.
Ive picked up a blackwork pattern and im so so grateful to hear that its PERFECTLY FINE to not have it be reversible! I used holbien to do the outlines, but my tiny little patterns are so very complicated and it's so much easier for my scatterbrain to just back stitch them in.
Great tutorial. I love the honesty about not caring how the back of the project looks!
Thank you. Life's too short, imo! :D
Hi it's so new to me this embroidery.
I'm new to Blackwork (and your channel) but have done cross stitch for many years. You're so helpful and you sound like you're just a friend sitting there talking to us about Blackwork. I love it! You have a new follower!
So interesting
Lovely way of explaining , sounds easy and fun
This video was exactly what I was searching for, thank you! And I am 100% that frugal person who wil constantly search for the path of least-thread-usage :D
You're so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I love knowing that I could help someone. Honestly sometimes figuring out your stitching route is kind of like a fun puzzle so I can definitely relate. Happy blackworking! 😊
I’m going to try this and try adding beads as well. Thank you for creating this pattern!
That's considered a messy back? What would my backs be called then 😂😖 great work! Thanks for the tutorial ❤️
Always best to insult your own work before anyone else gets chance, even if it's not really all THAT bad. That's my very specific and quite unwieldy life motto 😉
I think the back side is the best it's so beautiful!
Lots of blackwork please
Loved this video! I’m a long-time cross-stitcher but I’m starting my first blackwork and I’m not too confident …. this video changed my mind! I can’t wait to move forward and complete it! Thank you!
You have absolutely, 100%, got this. Welcome to your new obsession!
I can’t wait to try it!
Love this 😊
I love blackwork! I started out as a crewel embroidery gal and taught needlework several decades ago (am old now😊) but as cross stitching evolved I found the satisfaction of many embroidery stitches included in patterns of today. We are so lucky to have so many excellent designers. Tutorials like yours introduce newer stitchers to have confidence to experiment. Great job!
Blackwork hype! 🙌
Yes I absolutely love to see patterns with a mixture of stitch types, it keeps things interesting and teaches me new stuff. I'm by no means an expert but if I can encourage one person to jump in and try things then I'll consider it a job well done.
Am hoping to get a bit more involved in "proper" embroidery next year, maybe you'll have another student yet! 😉
I loved ur explanation 😊
I'm preparing for my first blackwork×cross-stitch pattern and this video was very helpful. Thank you!
love it!
Thank you! :)
Enjoyed your video! Liked your commentary! Thanks!
You're fabulous! Thank you
YOU'RE fabulous! 😘
Thank you for tutorial and pattern
You're very welcome. Happy stitching!
Thank you! This video is great. Excellent information and I love your attitude and presentation. I appreciate the side by side with the pattern and your work 🤗
Thank you, glad I could be helpful 😊
You have inspired me to try !!!😁
Oh yay this makes me so happy! Good luck!
Thanks so much for the snowflake and I love the one you gave Chris Xstitch
Hi, you are very welcome! That gift was actually from one of my subscribers who created it from my pattern, but I agree it was lovely! :)
Great video. Any tips on starting and finishing? Dianne
Thank you for an informative yet relaxed video. This has made blackwork feel less daunting and I am confident to get started 💜
Ah I'm so glad! You can absolutely do it :)
Just watched a second time. Very good explanation.
Thank you Linda, I'm so glad it was helpful :)
And... my first blackwork pattern has been purchased. Can't wait to give it a go
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it, blackwork is super addictive when you get going. Sorry not sorry! ;)
Actually X-stitch is less expensive than Quilting!
Pattern bought!
I’ve done some blackwork, and use a mixture of backstitch and Holbein stitch.
I do enjoy your videos 😸
Aw thank you so much I really appreciate it ♥️ And see, people sometimes claim they're reversible purists but I knew most of us were secret hybrid stitchers really! 😆
I can see doing a variety of these snowflakes in different colors...like of the 🌈. Making them into ornaments or small individual pillows!
Omg that would be so pretty! Please if you do this you have to show me the finished result 🥰
Your video was great; I´ve always wanted to do blackwork but was told it ALWAYS had to be reversible, and found it too difficult at times to do the returning journey in a PERFECT technique of running stitch. It´s the first time I hear an explanation in the sense that it´s OK to mix backstitch and running. Thanks a lot!!!
Embroidery is a hobby, and I think it should be approached from whatever angle brings you enjoyment. Some people really find joy in puzzling out how to stitch reversibly, and some of us just want to make things pretty from the front. It's all valid! I hope you get to try some more "relaxed" blackwork soon and love it as much as I do 😊
OMG today I learnt I have been doing backstitch wrong my whole life! (To be fair, I was taught wrong.) I have always done it as 12 43 56 87 and wondering why my stitches looked so wonky, and watching your video I now realise it was basically a poor man's double running stitch. I could never understand why people said backstitch uses more thread because obviously it's basically the same if you do it my weird method or double running stitch! I will definitely have to give the proper method a go on my latest project to see the difference. THANK YOU!
Oh wow that is definitely a new one! I was going to say "if it works then you do you", but it sounds like it *doesn't* work all that well so yeah... 😂 I hope you have better luck doing it this way, may your backstitch be unwonkified from here on out!
Thank you so much for this video! It comes at the perfect time. I decided to start a year-long blackwork SAL and have only ever done traditional hand embroidery. Your animation of the stitches alongside the video was perfect! I feel much more confident about starting now.
You're very welcome! Is it the Peppermint Purple SAL by any chance? If so it's a great one for your first blackwork because there's lots of variety but also it's easy to keep up with. If not, oh well 😅
If there's anything you find that wasn't explained properly or is confusing please do let me know. Happy stitching! 🥰
@@TheGiddyStitcher thank you! It's not the Peppermint Purple one. It's through the Snarky and Modern Embroidery and Crossstitch group on Facebook. The design is by The Steady Thread.
You are a good teacher AND fun to watch. Saving on thread... frugal and stupid,? HAA! Have you priced DMC's 6 strand lately! It used to be 33 cents, it's over 2 dollars now. UGH! I used to do cross-stitch bc it's cheap, NOPE! Not anymore. So, not stupid but it is frugal and SMART.
I’m so old I remember when it was .10 cents.
I think I mainly do back stitch and I've heard of double running stitch but didn't know what it was. Loved the video and thanks for the pattern. I would love a tutorial on how to do beads with your stitching. I have a couple wips that I'll have to do beads on. It's a little intimidating to me. Have a good weekend!
You're very welcome, glad there was something in there you could take away. Beads could definitely be interesting, with the disclaimer that I would have to actually learn to do it myself before teaching anyone else! But why not, right? :D
I love the tutorial! You do a great job explaining how to do blackwork. Do you have to use cross-stitch fabric or can you use any fabric? How would you add the blackwork to clothing?
I think I'm going to try this for a couple of christmas gifts!
I'm not sure if you mean blackwork in general or my specific pattern. But if it's the former then yay, blackwork always goes down a treat because it looks so detailed and impressive. And if it's the latter then wow I am honoured! 🥰
@@TheGiddyStitcher I definitely meant your beautiful pattern. I've never tried blackwork before but you explained it so well and it looks so good :)
@@TylerLouie85 Aw that's made my night, thank you! Would love to see what you create 😊
@@TheGiddyStitcher I will definitely post pics and tag you on instagram once they are done and given to my friends
Hi Michelle, I always wave back to you at the end of your videos! I have dabbled in blackwork over the years and mainly used Holbein stitch (even seen his Henry VIII painting at Petworth house!) Have you ever tried punch needle? It's something I would like to try but I've just not gotten round to it. As always a fab video and so enjoyable to watch, Kelly x
Oh my god I LOVE that you wave back! I woke up this morning feeling horrendous (just a cold, blegh) and that has absolutely cheered me right up, thank you 😂
I've got a punch needle kit on my Christmas list actually! It definitely looks like my kind of thing, but then again so does every other craft so the Christmas list is quite long. We'll have to see what Santa brings...
@@TheGiddyStitcher hope you feel better soon🤧
How do you end a color and start a new in the sme line?
Doing you have a tutorial on the sewing method of cross stitch?
Sorry Becky, I don't! Although you may have just given me one for the video ideas list, so thank you 🙂
I am just discovering your work and you have inspired me to take up cross stitch again after over 20 years away from it. We have a yearly fair and the needlework always catches my eye and I say each time, next year. What do you suggest for someone getting started again to help me come up with a pattern more personal to me or even the best space for finding great patterns that would speak to me and others when viewing it. Thanks for all you do. Weekend crafter but not enough hours in the day.
That is such a nice thing to say, thank you so much! I'm glad I can help inspire people in my own little way 🥰
You've asked a really interesting question there and honestly knowing how to find new designers and patterns outside of a basic Etsy search is something I struggle with myself. The stitching community on Instagram has been great for inspiration, although it's a bit too easy to get caught up on the bandwagon of the latest "trendy" stitchalong.
If you like big full coverage projects, Paine Free Crafts is my favourite and they have a wide range of styles. If you like to stitch with others, the cross-stitch subreddit has a discussion around 2022 stitchalongs here: www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/comments/rjdt1t/chat_2022_sals/
I hope some of that is useful, honestly how to find designers and patterns and what styles are available might well make a good topic for a video... 🤔
@@TheGiddyStitcher Thanks for the tips and would love to catch a video on that topic.
The Fat Quarter Shop (Texas, USA) has a Floss Tube, on CZcams. Kimberly Jolly & husband Kevin are co-owners & she has Beginner videos: ....Cross Stitch University.... superb camera work with great close-ups.
That looks like one of Claire Adali Peppermint Purples patterns.
Hah, I can only hope to design things as pretty as hers one day! (I hope it's not too similar though, that would be somewhat embarrassing 🙈)
Hi l just watched your black work video do you use 1 thread or 2 threads and start the loop method can you help please
Hello! Thanks for watching, I hope it was helpful 😊 Personally I prefer the more delicate look of one strand, for blackwork, so I usually just start with a knot. But I have seen people stitch up my snowflake pattern with two strands and it still looks great, it's just a little chunkier! Maybe try a few stitches both ways and see what you think looks best...remember this is your hobby and you can do it however you find most fun!
Awesome design
Did you miss some lines on the left?
I did! It got pointed out to me on Reddit after I'd had it stitched up for like a week without noticing 🤦♀️All good on the actual pattern though, phew! Thank you 😊
Podrian x favor poner este tutorial en español?
Hi, Michelle! So I'm still a cross stitch noob & haven't tried blackwork yet. My big question is how do you start & stop each floss/thread?? It's such delicate work, I wouldn't want bulky starts & ends! Any tips would be greatly appreciated! 💜
Ok, I got you. So, if you're doing two strands I always prefer a loop start, but normally for blackwork you'll do one strand which is more finicky. I generally just tie a knot to start from because lazy, but you can also leave a little starting tail then go back and weave it in to the back of your stitches later. Apparently this is more secure but ymmv.
To end, I'll generally weave through a couple of stitches and then tie a knot by sort of looping the working thread around the back of a stitch and then through itself. Which makes ZERO sense when I've typed it out so you may have to look up a video for that, sorry! 🤦♀️
@@TheGiddyStitcher Okay that does actually make sense to me, thanks! I think I might do some test stitches with a single strand & these starts/ends before I officially start the snowflake. That way hopefully I'll get it right. Or at least right-ish. Appreciate it!
What app are you using on your tablet! And what device please.
I think the app you're talking about is Procreate, I use it on my iPad for rough design work. It's not really suited to pixel art (so no good for detailed cross stitch patterns) but it works pretty well for blackwork designs especially if they're symmetrical! Hope that helps 🙂
@TheGiddyStitcher Sorry if someone has already posted this, or if I'm misunderstood the double running stitch, but I believe there is a way to does the centre diamond in it,
To make this simple I will refer to each of the outer holes/points by the initials of one of the 8 compass directions, eg the top most one is N for north, the left most W for west, and the one in between them NW for north-west, the central hole is C for centre.
I believe that sewing the holes/points in this order will make a reversible double running stitch version of this design:
W, SW, S, SE, E, NE, N, NW, C, SE, S, SW, C, NE, E, SE, C, NW, N, NE, C, SW, W, NW, W
Also now that I think about it if branching before rejoining at the branching point is still considered double running stitch then wouldn't still ordering work too:
W, SW, S, SE, E, NE, C, SW, C, NE, N, NW, C, SE, C, NW, W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W
I am far, FAR too warm to follow this right now but I also super appreciate how much effort you went to so I've put it in my weeked todo list to come back and give this a go. Thank you for (potentially?) solving the puzzle, I am not a smart stitcher 😂
First: I can confirm that the second orderings of stitches work, as I starter the sampler that way.
Second: It was a fun little problem to run rattle around my brain for an hour or two. Also this isn't about smart of not, my brain just sees symmetry and paths really easily, it's constant trying to work out the best path for stitches from I do cross-stitch so this triggered that functionality too
Thrid: Having let the idea stew for a day now, it think provided that you want the work to be double side, any design where the stitch do not cross can be done with double running stitch, as its a modified Euler path problem, with all vertexes had an even number of edges; potentially this may still held when stitches can cross, but I don't think I know enough about blackwork to model that to try and prove it.
Fourth: I believe the logic of the second path, viewing each line segments as a palindrome, and then working them in a branching order, would extend to allow working any connected section of a design with 1 thread (or at least only using multiple threads due to unworkable of super long threads). In my sampler I've done this with the outline; the 2 groups of spines (orthogonal and diagonal), were done separately but could be intermixed.
Sorry the heat is melting my brain, plus dyslixia, so sorry if that doesn't made much sense.
Did you use a single or double strand?
Hi! Good question, for this piece I used a single strand but some people have stitched it up using two, go with your gut and whatever looks best on your fabric :)
Hi, just found you and your video, and I already have a question 😅
Do I have to use Aida cloth? Or could I put Aida on top of another fabric, stitch and remove it? Or could I stitch directly onto fabric (I know, counting will be difficult)?
Thanks at lot!
You could absolutely use other kinds of fabric! The thing to bear in mind with blackwork is that it looks best when it's on a grid because that means the lines and angles will be consistent, so stitching it on something like linen where there's no clear grid can look weird. And if you were just going with something like plain cotton, it would be hard to keep that kind of consistency by hand (not impossible I'm sure, there's nothing stopping you from giving it a go!)
One thing you *could* look into if you're not happy with results by hand is water soluble canvas. Gives you a grid to stitch on, but then it just washes away once you're done.
@@TheGiddyStitcher Oh thank you so much for your helpful answer!!!
I do a double running stitch/backstitch mix when I backstitch 🤣🤣 I do what I want. 🤷♀️🤦♀️🤣
The music at the end made me happy. 😊 I danced with your reveal! 😄
Best way to be!
You don’t even want to see what the back of my stuff looks like sometimes. I will run that thread all over 😅
Oh but you know I do tho 👀
Is that Holbein as in House of??
Ok I had no idea what that was, so had to Google it. And now I have no idea what it is. So let's say...probably not?
@@TheGiddyStitcher Haha. I can't wait to find out.
@@TheGiddyStitcher I know it as a make of paint, because obviously that's all I know about these days :p
Ah a chance to get my historical nerd on! Holbein (Hans Holbein the younger) was the Renaissance artist that created the portrait of Anne of Cleves that maaaay have had a few Instagram style filters applied and ended up with the marriage being annulled (and her being paid off with Richmond Palace - although there are alternatives that Henry just changed his mind and lusted after Katherine Howard which is all manner of gross & wrong)... There's also a bizarre song to go with this...*and breathe*
@@yarnhobbit8862 Thanks. Feels weird to not have immediately got that from my cursory google the other day.
If it can be done in different colours and shapes and not be reversible, what is the thing about it that still classifies it as blackwork embroidery vs another category? 🤔 that confuses me…
Good question and honestly, I expect there are purists out there who wouldn't count most things we call "blackwork" these days as actual blackwork! But unless you're setting your own pure blackwork challenge, or entering a competition with strict rules or something, it's just one of those terms that's changed to a more expansive meaning over time. Pretty much anything that's designed to be done in backstitch will fall under "blackwork" these days.
@@TheGiddyStitcher thank you!! I’m super new to embroidery and the categories are filled with grey area. This helps a lot!
Ah ha ha yep, I'm a big backstitch cheater 😂 sometimes, it just makes more sense.
Am definitely starting to wonder if anyone will claim to be a purist at all. Do they even exist? Enquiring minds need to know!
@@TheGiddyStitcher my theory is some people like to pretend they are purists, but I've never heard of anyone actually doing it 100% correctly 😂 in my mind, there are no rules in cross stitch and blackwork, or anything else, as long as it stays together and looks the way you want it to 😅
Sorry, I hit the “dislike” by mistake! I found this video really helpful. Thank you.
Enjoyed this advice and you are definitely not a bad influence. Love your advice on ‘doing whatever makes you happy’🫶🏿. Going to try my hand at this and if successful will make Christmas cards for a select few and if really successful do we have your permission to sell the item made as long as credit is given for the pattern, of course😀. I have now subscribed so can keep you up-to-date.