Monday, January 26, 2026

Connect the Dots to Reconstruct Partially Missing 16th Century Embroidery Patterns on a Sampler

Recreate the embroidery patterns on historical samplers that are missing some of the embroidered threads by essentially playing a game of connect the dots. A double-running stitch means that there are two journeys to make the embroidery pattern look like one solid line and therefore making the embroidery reversible, so that it looks the same on both sides of the fabric. Since it's reversible, if part of a thread is missing, one is still able to fill in the voids to recreate the original pattern.

 


     Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books: https://amzn.to/3VxcuS3 
- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd edition on Amazon): https://amzn.to/42NlF4P 
- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/ 
- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3MnnccA
 - Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0 

 

        Photo credit: 

- Embroidered Sampler: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/221177

 

 

Monday, January 12, 2026

Embroidered Flower Pattern from Jane Seymour's Cuffs from 1536

Follow along step by step as I embroider a geometric looking flower pattern from the cuffs of Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII of England. 


Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Embroidery Stand: https://amzn.to/468W4Tz 

- Embroidery Hoops: https://amzn.to/467ezHP 

- Sewing Needles: https://amzn.to/3PWtH5d 

- Silk Embroidery Thread: https://amzn.to/3PVh5LB

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns book: https://amzn.to/43lwjRp



Monday, January 5, 2026

Where to Find Some Patterns on a 16th Century Italian Embroidery Sampler

This 16th century Italian sampler (Accession Number T.14-1931) is available online at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. It is a linen sampler embroidered with silk thread. Most of the sampler appears to be embroidered in blue and green. However, there is also some red color too. The embroidery stitches on the sampler include cross stitch and back stitch.

 


 

 Don't forget to purchase my latest embroidery book!

 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns

 

 

Monday, December 29, 2025

Holbein Stitch on Margaret Roper's Collar of 1535

When Margaret Roper (maiden name Margaret More, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas More) was 30 years old, she had a miniature of herself painted circa 1535 by Hans Holbein the Younger. In this portrait, Holbein has included significant detail of the embroidery pattern found on her collar. This is a recreation of part of that pattern. 

 


 Holbein stitch, also referred to as double-running stitch or Spanish stitch, is a reversible stitch used in early 16th century blackwork embroidery. If you would like more information on blackwork embroidery, please check out other videos on my channel. 

 

      Picture credit: 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Margaret Roper (Margaret More).” The Met Museum. 

 

      Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/ 
- Hoop Frame: https://amzn.to/3sktIBs 
- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3m1bsuJ 

 

 

Monday, December 22, 2025

Should AI Be Used for Constructing Research Papers?

Follow along as I use AI to create a research paper for me on Holbein-inspired blackwork embroidery and find out if the information provided was true or incorrect.

 



     
        Photo credit: 

 

 

 

Monday, December 15, 2025

16th Century Holbein Stitch Embroidered Flower

This is a blackwork embroidered flower pattern inspired by a 16th century Italian flower pattern from a sampler at the V&A Museum.

 


 

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Don't Forget to Buy My Embroidery Book for Christmas!

With the holiday season upon us, make my 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns book a gift to yourself and anyone you know who enjoys double-running stitch embroidery!