Counted Blackwork Journal - 2019

One of my goals in January 2019 was to explore counted blackwork in more depth. I wanted to learn more about blackwork embroidery and its origins. Below is the finished journal. 

January 2019
​A study of squares using DMC Embroidery Thread & 14 Count White Aida. 

February 2019
A study of squares in colour using Anchor Pearl Cotton & 14 Count White Aida

March 2019
​A study of pattern & colour using DMC Embroidery Thread & 14 Count White Aida. 

April 2019
​I was given some vintage silks by a friend and decided to use one of them in my April sample. I have used a double thread in the sample below. It was lovely to put the silks to good use, and as I stitched, I wondered where these lovely silks had originated from and their journey to me. 

May 2019
In May 2019, I visited Sandringham in Norfolk, where my family & I visit a couple of times each year. I used vintage sewing silks and stitched my own design of leaves and branches to depict the Sandringham Royal Country Park. 

June 2019
A study of a progressive pattern showing density variation. Taken from a sampler by Mary Kay Sampson. I used vintage sewing silks and 14 count white Aida in this sample. 

July 2019
​A progressive pattern taken from a sampler by Mary Kay Sampson. I used vintage sewing silk and 14 count cream Aida. 

August 2019
​A progressive pattern taken from a sampler by Mary Kay Sampson. I have used DMC Embroidery Threads and 14 Count Cream Aida. 

September 2019
​As I explored the history of blackwork embroidery, I wanted to re-create some of the patterns on the clothing in paintings. I found the painting 'A Portrait of a Lady in Green', c1528 -32, by Agnolo Bronzino (1503 - 72), and from this painting I picked a motif from the collar that I could stitch. I used vintage sewing silks and 14-count cream Aida in this sample. 

October 2019
​In October, I continued studying the motifs on the collar from the painting above. The motif I used was on the inside of the collar, and I created my own pattern from it. I used DMC Embroidery Thread and 14 Count Cream Aida. 

November 2019
​My inspiration for this sample is from a painting of Mary Tudor (1516 - 58). I pinpointed the blackwork on her collar and wanted to study it in more detail. With this in mind, I found a pattern on a corner of a cloth from the late 19th century. I then merged the two patterns together to make the sample below. I used DMC Embroidery Thread and 14 Count Cream Aida. 

December 2019
For my final sample, I designed my own pattern inspired by the Tudor rose and the blackwork seen on Mary Tudor's collar. I used DMC Embroidery Thread and 14 Count Cream Aida. 

This concludes my counted blackwork project. 
​Jo x

​©Joanna Cox Marshall