Brandi's Blackwork Projects - pillow finished 12/27 pg 10

[geekishly]

I thought it might be useful to start a thread dedicated solely to my blackwork projects seeing as I am addicted to the style and intend to pretty much always have one in progress.

Here are my previous blackwork pieces:



This is the one that I have just started on:



It's from Just Cross Stitch's May/June 2012 issue.



I'm doing it on 28 ct white Monaco because I liked the way the colors looked against it more than they do on the antique white that it called for. Only worked on it for a couple hours, but I'm looking forward to getting a lot done tomorrow.

[Serinde]

A blackwork fanatic, I see. It is a fascinating technique -- quite apart from using colour, designs can be changed and "shaded" by use of different weights of threads, partial use of motives, and so on. Not to mention reversibility...

[Rose]

Oh that looks like it will be lots of fun to work.

[ComaStitch]

That second picture of the lady with the umbrella has suddenly made me itch to try blackwork! *runs off to find blackwork*

[wendywombat]

Well, it sort of is a load of backstitch, but it's quite different from backstitch at the same time. I'm glad you're enjoying it now. I'm itching to start another blackwork piece. I think I am going to have to have one on the go at all times.

(taken from my 'dancing Tulips' topic)

I love your work!! Now I'm into the swing of Blackwork, I know what you mean.
Your work is lovely...the lady with Umbrella is stunning!

I can see how the depth of the design is built up now as I stitch the second 'layer' of my tulips.

Thanks for sharing and your encouragement! I'm definitely going to do more!!

[vanessanjf]

Fantastic work. I love the pink in your new project

[rcperryls]

Great start on a lovely project. I've never done any blackwork and I'm very intrigued by your work. Can't imagine where I'd fit it in, but I'm loving those designs. I'm so glad that you will have one in your rotation so I can see them. Lovely.

Carole

[karen4bells]

Beautiful!! I definitely am looking forward to your next update

[geekishly]

Thanks everyone for the compliments.

Serinde, I'm afraid I'm still learning how to map out my journeys on blackwork pieces, so they're not quite reversible yet. I'm sure with more practice I will be able to nail it. But yes, it is a fascinating design technique and I am enjoying the versatility of it quite a lot.

It should be, Rose! It's even got some stitches that are commonly used in Hardanger, so this might be a good stepping stone in easing my way into that technique.

Vicki, the lady with the umbrella is from The World of Cross Stitching 185. You should still be able to get a back issue copy of that if you want. There's quite a few free blackwork patterns out there as well if you just search for them.

Wendy, I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I'm eager to see what you come up with in the future and for you to finish up the tulips. They're lovely.

Vanessa, I love the pink, too. I almost considered changing it out for a different shade, but when I saw the colors in person, I decided to stick with them.

Carole, I'm sure you can find a way to work in some small blackwork designs. You could easily do something up for a card. Maybe a set of blackwork balloons and cake for a birthday card, or a blackwork snowman, snowflake or santa for Christmas?

Karen, I am sure I will get a lot accomplished today so there will probably be a pretty significant update in the morning.

[Carole]

I love the designs you've stitched already and the new one you're starting is just gorgeous. The pinks will look really pretty

I have the Blackwork lady as I sub to WOXS. She's on my Want to Stitch list

[geekishly]

Thanks! I'd love to see you tackle her! As you can see, I changed up her colors a bit. Do you plan to keep it with the reds?

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Love this blackwork design Brandi! I've recently got hooked on blackwork too and have quite a few designs in my stash. Look forward to seeing more of this one - loving the pink!

[geekishly]

Thanks, Amanda! I'm looking forward to seeing some of your blackwork.

I got quite a bit accomplished today. Got all of the bottom line's cross stitching done and half of one of the sides.



I've decided since I am working on this with my frame, I'm going to completely tackle all of the bottom half's outer borders (the bit I'm working on and the small border right above it) then do the same for the top half. After that I should be able to work on all of the center area without having to adjust the position.

[Rose]

The boarders is going fast!!!!!!!!

[millymolly]

Im not a very pinky person myself but those colours are very nice! I also love blackwork so i look forward to seeing your progress

[geekishly]

Thanks! Given how repetitive it is, it's pretty easy and fast to get through the border, but there's just enough variation that I'm not getting bored with it. I've still got the blackwork motifs and backstitch to do on the outer border, but I'm going to hold off on that until I get the second border done so that I don't have to skip over where the two borders meet up.

[karen4bells]

Beautiful update!! This is really coming along nice!!

[geekishly]

Thanks, Karen. I'm looking forward to getting back to it in a few hours after I take care of some things. I know once I pick it up, it will be hard to set down in order to do things I really don't want to do.

[geekishly]

Once again, I managed to accomplish quite a bit of stitching on this today. Even spent an hour before working on this on Sephina. I didn't get very much done on her, so no updates for that thread today.

[Serinde]

How, this is certainly coming along quickly. The colours remind me of crushed raspberries and cream...!

BTW, not all blackwork can be stitched reversibly, so don't be concerned on that score.