blackwork sampler ebook - needlework-tips-and-techniques.com

Up The Garden Path

Step by step blackwork band sampler

designed and written by Carol Leather

Stitch along with me and learn the techniques of blackwork embroidery

Provided by www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com

Up the Garden Path – Step by step blackwork band sampler by Carol Leather

IntroductionBlackwork embroidery is a fascinating needlework technique with a beauty all its own. Theintricate patterns look complicated to stitch, especially when you are told to try to make theback as neat as the front!

Up the garden path is a mini blackwork sampler that takes your hand and walks you througheach band, stitch by stitch, helping you to learn the techniques and produce a reversible pieceof work without the headaches of trying to work it out for yourself.

First published row by row in my newsletter Stitchin-Time this booklet brings all theinstructions, diagrams and charts together to make it an easy to follow project for beginners toblackwork embroidery.

Each band will use a slightly different technique and we will begin at the top working our waydown from the acorns in the trees, to the butterflies flitting around, then the bushes, then theflowers and wheat. This time we have the snails on the ground under the flowers. Then wemove to the pond with the waterlilies floating on top of the water and the fishes underneath.

Design InformationThe complete design is 65 stitches wide by 81 stitches high. On 14 count Aida this willmeasure 4.6 x 5.8 inches.

You will need:

• White Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave embroidery fabric 8.5 x 10 inches,

• DMC 310 black stranded cotton (or a colour of your choice)

• DMC 5828 gold metallic thread (this comes in a skein like the stranded cotton)

• 14 gold seed beads and beading needle (not needed until row 4)

• size 24 or 26 tapestry needle

• and an embroidery hoop if you like to use one

It will be easier to work this project if you print this ebook, so make that you next job aftergathering your materials together.



Starting the stitching – Acorn Row Count down and across 28 squares (or measure 2 inches) from the top left of your fabric. Thisis where we will start the first row. We will use 1 strand of cotton/floss throughout. This row isworked using double running stitch in two journeys, following the diagrams below. It is areasonably complex pattern to establish so follow the numbering carefully in the first journey.

Journey 1 begins with stitch no. 1. The arrows on the stitches show the direction of travel.Before you work stitch 3 take a little "detour" and put in the purple stitch 3a. Bring the needleback up in the used hole to work stitch 3. This will be part of the line separating the acorn fromits cup.

The diagram shows two acorns and the joining line up to the beginning of the third. The stitchnumbered 20 is also number 1 of the third acorn so you can follow the diagram from thebeginning again to continue along the row.

Journey 2 In the second diagram I have coloured the existing stitches in black. The newstitches for this journey back are again in orange. Don't forget the purple detours to complete

the separation between acorn and cup.


Row 2 – ButterfliesJourney 1 For the time being ignore the orange lines on the chart which will be the butterflies'antenna. Using a single strand of black (DMC 310) stranded cotton follow the diagram belowfor the first journey.

This band is actually easier than the first row. At workshops where I have taught this designsome students have made the mistake of assumming the gaps between the wings are equalalong the row. Be aware that there are 6 then 2 stitches between the wings that drop belowthe centre line.

Start at the green dot and work the stitches coloured blue on the diagram across the row. Thestitches at the right hand end of the diagram, with the yellow box behind them, are a repeat ofthe beginning of the row. Continue to the end of the band. Return along the row working thestitches coloured pink on the diagram. This completes the lower wings.

Journey 2 Now we will move onto the top wings. Note that there are sections between the

butterflies with a thicker line. This is shown on the diagram below by blue and pink colouredstitches above black ones. The purpose of this is to show that in these positions you will re-stitch on top of existing stitches during this second part of the row.



As before work the blue stitches across the row forming the basis of the upper wings. Return, tocomplete the row following the pink coloured stitches.

The butterfly antenna

The antenna look attractive if you use the gold metallic thread. Again use 1 strand and tuck thethread behind the black stitches to move from one butterfly to the next. Try not to carry the metallicacross the open areas if possible as it could catch and also may show through the fabric.


Row 3 - LeavesRight this time we move down our sampler to band 3. The leaves are worked in a slightlydifferent way to the first two bands. We will complete each leaf in turn rather than travelling all

across the row before returning.

Please refer to the numbers on the diagram below as I walk you through the path we will taketo stitch these leaves.

Starting at the black dot, work the blue stitches in sequence from1-8. I have included "empty"stitches to show you the ones that we are missing out at this stage. The arrows should helpyou to keep on track. After finishing stitch 8 change direction and following the small arrows inthe centre of the "empty" stitches work back around the leaf. Don't forget to take a little sidejourney to complete the leaf vein when you get back around to stitch 8. Leave the stitch withthe red outline (between stitches 1 and 2) for later.

Move on to the second leaf and this time follow the green stitches. Oh just to remind you, weare working this row all in black, the colours are just to help you follow the pattern.

After following the green stitches, and arrows, complete the second leaf by filling in the gapsas before. Remember that vein! If you look carefully at the photograph on the cover of myoriginal model you may notice that I missed the second vein. Of course I didn't notice untilafter the piece had been framed!

The "empty" stitch between 2 and 1 takes you back down to the tendril that holds all theleaves together. Stitch the green stitch and then start the process again with the blue no. 1stitch which corresponds to the same stitch on leaf one.

When you reach the end of the row, you can whiz back along this tendril line filing in the redoutlined stitches.



Row 4 – Poppies and wheatRight, back to band 4. This is a more complex band than the first three. But just take it steadyand follow the numbers and you will do fine. On my model I used gold thread for the wheat as

I was trying to include gold in every other row of the sampler.

Lets start with the poppies. As usual the colours I use in the diagrams and the followinginstructions are for guidance only, we are working the flowers all in a single strand of blackthread.

Start by following the green stitches and work the first two stitches of the "ground line". Thenplace the first stitch in the flower stem before branching off, following the numbers, to workthe left hand tendril. Complete this tendril by working the black stitches to fill in the gaps,bringing you back to the stem.

Do the same thing to stitch the right hand tendril, but this time following the black stitchesfirst.

Stitch 16 on the diagram takes us up the stem to the flower head. I have started re-numberingat this point to keep the diagram clearer (numbers larger than 10 aren't so easy to follow inmy opinion). Please remember to include the blue stitches when you reach them to separatethe petals. Work round the flower and then fill in the gaps (black stitches) on the way back.

Fill in the black stitches on your way down the stem and then continue with the green groundline.


When you reach the tuft of grass follow the lettered stitches, using the arrows as a guide tothe direction your stitches should be taking.

The wheat stems The wheat stems are tackled in the same way we worked the tufts ofgrass. Stitches coloured grey on the diagram have already been worked at this stage. Followthe numbers and arrows to stitch both the wheat stems and the next grass tuft. To continuealong the band, at this point, you will start again at stitch 1 in the first diagram. To completethe lower section of this band just whiz along the ground line filling in the gaps.

The ears of wheat OK, ready for the golden wheat? Thread up with gold metallic (1 strand)and off we go. I have used two diagrams to show how to work these.



Start at number one and work your way around the ear, remembering the side journeys atstitches 5, 7 and 9. Complete this stage by filling in the black stitches on your return.

To complete the ears of wheat place the final five stitches as numbered in the diagram below.

Optional You can add beads, french knots or cross stitches in gold to the centre of the poppiesif desired.


Row 5 - SnailsOK lets move on to band 5 the cute snails. When I have taught this sampler at workshops thisband is the favourite of many stitchers. Just follow the stitches in the diagram below inalphabetical order, then change direction and fill in the grey stitches on the return journey.

Easy!

Don't forget to check the chart and pop in the antenna using the gold metallic thread.



Row 6 – WaterliliesThese are pretty simple. The key thing to remember is to fasten off before you move onto thenext flower. If you wish to you could work the leaves in gold metallic thread.

Each lily is worked in turn following the letters on the first diagram for the first journey.Return, filling in the gaps, by following the second diagram.

Insert the leaves, between the flowers, following the diagrams below.


Row 7 – WaterThis is the easiest row in the whole sampler!

This band is just a simple repeating fill pattern. The diagram below shows the simple back andforth journey plan that makes up this band. Just follow one colour across and then the othercolour back again.

Row 8 - FishesThe yellow crosses represent the fishes eyes and can be worked as crosses or you could attachbeads

The diagram below shows the order to stitch the fish. Just follow the red numbered stitches ineach section. The red stitches are then coloured black in the following section and you onceagain work the red stitches. Continue until the fish is complete.

Your sampler is now complete and just needs framing. I hope you have enjoyed stitching alongwith me.

Carol Leather



About this ebook

This book is offered as a free bonus to the visitors to my site who purchase the Blackwork forbeginners ebook, which is an ideal introduction to this wonderful stitching technique.

The ebook costs $10 and is available from www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com

You will also find many blackwork kits and charts to purchase on the site in addition to a number offree charts and lessons on various other embroidery techniques including cross stitch, hardanger,needlepoint, assisi work and various types of whitework.

Feel free to share this Up the Garden Path ebook with your stitching friends. But please note thatthe Blackwork for Beginners ebook is not free to give away. Sales of the book help to pay for thesite itself each year and enable me to pass on the information and lessons to everyone.

Have fun and enjoy your visit.


blackwork sampler ebook - needlework-tips-and-techniques.com

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