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I want to know if someone can help me out. I saw this link posted in the EMS forum. The problem is that they are uploaded as photos but when you print them out...its not very clear. Can anyone tell me how to print them out to be clearer. This would be the first blackwork for me to do...and it would look beautiful in my red and black bathroom.

I would have posted the direct link to the website, but I don't really know how to do that.

If you go to Carla's "Ricamo le tue idee" site you can access them as pdf's

http://www.ricamoletueidee.it/

click on 'Vetrina' on right hand side and you can get to her blackwork and cross stitch freebies.

mags

OMG Mags thanks so much!

I have another question. I've never done blackwork before. Is is it kind of like backstitching like I said..I've never tried it. I'm wondering....do I have to start and stop thread a lot because the lines might show to the front? Does anyone know of a good instruction website for blackwork

This is a very good site

http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/

There are two ways of doing blackwork - the traditional way is using holbein stitch which is used so that the back and front of the stitches look the same. However, the pattern has to be designed with this in mind.

Modern blackwork pattern are often not designed with this in mind, and if the back of the work is not going to be seen then I would just use backstitch and not worry about my backside (so to speak).

mags

I bought the 'New Anchor Book of Blackwork Embroidery' a few weeks ago and it recommends that you use backstitch - or double running stitch as it is often called - for the designs in the book. They said that Holbein Stitch can make it difficult to follow the pattern.

This site is very good too:

http://www.x-calibredesigns.co.uk/

I've only done a small blackwork design so far - for a birthday card. It was from a 'New Stitches' magazine and I'm really pleased with it.

that's what I use, the double running stitch for Blackwork, and for all outliining on cross stitch, too. It's quick, easy, and uses less thread/floss, and it's neater on the front and back. I've never had any problems, although I can get "lost" sometimes on the return trip, but it's easy to correct if you make a mistake.

Thanks so much for all or your help. I can't wait to get started on it. Of course, I have to finish my christmas gifts first running out of time!

I've also never done blackwork before but would like to know if there is any special floss or fabric for blackwork. I may want to try out some patterns. Thanks !

There are two ways to tackle blackwork and these both work on 14/28ct fabric:
1. Use 2 strands of embroidery cotton for the thicker outline and a single strand for the fillings. This gives you an unlimited palette of colour.
2. Use Coton a Broker Tkt 20 for the outline and a single strand of cotton for the fillings. This might limit your colour palette, but the coton a broder is used as it comes off the skein, so no worry about threads not lying flat and all of that stuff. Great for traditional blackwork.

I'll try those options...thanks serinde!