Basics of Elizabethan Freehand Blackwork Embroidery

Want to learn more about freehand blackwork embroidery that became quite popular during the later half of the 16th century? Check out this page here for instructions on basic freehand stitches for this particular style of blackwork. 

On the above link, you will find various examples of the circular blackwork embroidery that was created with freehand stitches. One thing to note is that freehand blackwork embroidery is not meant to be reversible, unlike counted blackwork embroidery.

For example, Sidney Eileen provides one picture (see below) which shows the underneath side of a 16th century smock where it's evident that the underneath side was not meant to be neat or reversible.

 

Sidney Eileen