Historical Blackwork Embroidery Patterns

Various 16th century blackwork embroidery patterns and where to locate these patterns on historical items.

 

 

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).