Historic Slate Frames & How to Dress these Embroidery Frames

A slate frame is a historic type of embroidery frame that has been around for centuries. This specific type of embroidery frame keeps the tension on the fabric even without warping the fabric, like a modern hoop frame would. A slate frame is typically made from wood. It has two horizontal bars and two vertical bars (also known as stretcher bars). The stretcher bars have holes with pegs or notches to hold the horizontal bars in position, to keep the fabric taut. 

 

 

      Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp

​ - Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5

​ - Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI​

 

 

Drafting the Holbein Stitch Pattern from Jane Seymour's Cuffs | Blackwork Embroidery

Step by step of how I draft early 16th century blackwork embroidery, aka Holbein stitch or double-running stitch, patterns from the portrait of Jane Seymour (3rd wife of Henry VIII of England) painted by Hans Holbein the Younger.

 

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. 

 

             Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp 

- Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5 

- Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI

 

 

 

Blackwork Embroidery Found in Hans Holbein the Younger's Portraits

Hans Holbein the Younger was a German painter in the 16th century and became a court painter for King Henry VIII of England. Many of his paintings included blackwork embroidery.

 

  Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp

​ - Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5

​ - Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI​

 

 

 

Different Types of Blackwork Embroidery in 16th Century England

Blackwork embroidery, also known as Holbein Stitch or double-running stitch, started out as a geometric counted stitch in 16th century England and ended the century as a swirly floral embroidery through pouncing.

 

  Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp​ 

- Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5​ 

- Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI​

 

 

Order My Embroidery Books Today Before the Price Goes Up!

Starting on June 10, 2025, Amazon will be increasing their prices to print books, which will therefore unfortunately cause the price of my books to go up. 

 

 

Order these books today before the price increases!

16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd edition): https://amzn.to/4miYBTy

Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st edition): https://amzn.to/4dFFcIN

Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books: https://amzn.to/4jW6sVr

Beginning Blackwork Embroidery, the Basic Steps to Get Started

The basic steps to get started and learn how to do the counted form of blackwork embroidery, also known as Holbein stitch or double-running stitch.

 

 

  Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp

​ - Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5

​ - Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI​

 

 

 

A Brief History of Blackwork Embroidery, aka Holbein Stitch

What inspired the creation of blackwork embroidery and what forms of embroidery fall under the category of blackwork, such as Holbein stitch?

 

      Check out my embroidery books! 

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns). https://amzn.to/43lwjRp

​ - Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition). https://amzn.to/4cnysi5

​ - Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books. https://amzn.to/43VMwwI

 

      ​ Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- 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/ 

- Hoop Frame: https://amzn.to/4jRoGa8 

- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/43aVC84 

- Scissors: https://amzn.to/4iIaUWm 

- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/4jxYj9r 

- Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0 

 

Information on Mamluk embroidery can be found on Miriam's Middle Eastern Research blog at: https://awalimofstormhold.wordpress.com/ 

 

16th Century Embroidery and Lace Pattern Modelbuchs Available Online: https://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2023/12/16th-century-embroidery-and-lace.html 

 

Early 17th Century Portuguese Embroidery Booklet: https://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2020/06/early-17th-century-portuguese.html

 

 

Materials Needed to Get Started with 16th Century Blackwork Embroidery

 

Blackwork embroidery, also known as Holbein Stitch or double-running stitch, was found on many garments in the 16th century, including cuffs, partlets, shirts, coifs, and more. This video includes a list of materials recommended for this type of embroidery.

 

     

      Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- 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)

- Hoop Frame

- Beeswax

- Scissors

- Linen Fabric

- Embroidery Needles

- Craft Stand

- Aida Cloth (for beginners)

- 16th to 18th Century Double-Running Stitch Embroidery Patterns (2nd Edition of Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns)

​ - Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns (1st Edition)

​ - Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books