What inspired the creation of blackwork embroidery in the 16th century and what forms of embroidery fall under the category of blackwork, such as Holbein stitch?
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16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns
This embroidery pattern is from an Italian sampler, circa 1600, located at the V&A Museum in London. The sampler features silk embroidery done in a double-running stitch, as well as long-armed cross stitch.
Blackwork embroidery is also known as double-running stitch or Holbein stitch. Historically, it was typically found as silk thread embroidered on white linen in a reversible stitch.
The full sampler at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O70028/sampler/sampler-unknown/
For more information on the Italian sampler and other embroidery patterns from this sampler, please visit: https://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-to-create-your-own-blackwork-design.html
Suggested Items for Purchase:
- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd edition on Amazon): https://amzn.to/42NlF4P
- Silk thread (Needle in a Haystack): http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_Ovale.html or http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_SoiePerlee.html
- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/
- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/3ZFtwPM
- Scissors: https://amzn.to/44cTNYx
- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3MnnccA
- Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0
This Italian chain pattern is from a 16th century embroidery sampler, located at the V&A Museum in London. This particular pattern is near the top, close to the center of the sampler. This embroidery will be used for cuffs.
Blackwork embroidery is also known as double-running stitch or Holbein stitch. Historically, it was typically found as silk thread embroidered on white linen in a reversible stitch.
For more historical information (plus a step by step on how to begin) on blackwork embroidery, please visit: https://youtu.be/lcZsoB71XZQ
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
- Silk thread (Needle in a Haystack): http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_Ovale.html or http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_SoiePerlee.html
- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/
- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/3ZFtwPM
- Scissors: https://amzn.to/44cTNYx
- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3MnnccA
- Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0
Picture credit:
16th Century Italian Sampler at the V&A Museum: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O70028/sampler-unknown/
Learn about Holbein Stitch (the earlier form of blackwork embroidery from the 16th century), along with what type of sewing needle to use, fabric, embroidery frame, thread, and how to recreate historic patterns. Holbein stitch, also referred to as double-running stitch or Spanish stitch, is a reversible counted stitch used in early 16th century blackwork embroidery.
Blackwork embroidery was made popular in Tudor England by King Henry VIII's first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Prior to Henry VIII's and Katherine's divorce, this embroidery had been commonly referred to as Spanish stitch (since Katherine was Spanish). After their divorce, the term blackwork was adopted for use to describe this particular type of embroidery (rather than the previously used term of Spanish stitch).
Hans Holbein the Younger was a European painter, just like his older brother Ambrosius and his father, Hans the Elder. If you hear the term 'Holbein stitch', it is in reference to Hans the Younger. From his friendship with Erasmus, he had a letter of introduction and found himself in England to eventually become a court painter in the court of King Henry VIII of England. Compared to other artists at the time, Holbein painted numerous portraits with blackwork embroidery in them. Discover where to locate historical patterns, how to recreate these patterns, and watch step by step instructions on how create this lovely embroidery.
Holbein stitch, also referred to as double-running stitch or Spanish stitch, is a reversible stitch used in early 16th century blackwork embroidery. Follow along step by step as I embroider a flower inside of a braided diamond pattern. Both of these patterns are located on Jane Bostocke's embroidery sampler from 1598, currently at the V&A Museum in London.
Picture credit: "Sampler." V&A Museum. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O46183/sampler-jane-bostocke/
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
- Silk thread (Needle in a Haystack): http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_Ovale.html or http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_SoiePerlee.html
- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/
- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/3ZFtwPM
- Scissors: https://amzn.to/44cTNYx
- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3MnnccA
- Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0
Watch step by step as the flower pattern from the 16th century is embroidered. This pattern can be found on both an English sampler (Jane Bostocke's sampler from 1598) as well as an Italian sampler (located at the the Museo del Tessuto in Prato, Italy from the late 16th century).
