Evenfall Needleworks 

Blackwork Basics

Blackwork embroidery commonly uses two stitches.  Back-stitch is often used for out-lining while the double-running stitch is traditionally used for filling-in and more complex designs.  Both can be stitched vertically, horizontally or diagonally to produce a continuous line and both can be used interchangeably throughout your design.  You may favor one over the other as you stitch various sections: just keep in mind that you want your finished piece to be as neat as possible. 

 Getting Started

Thread your needle and make a waste-knot at the other

end.  From the front of your fabric, insert your needle in

an area not too far from the center and that will be worked

over by stitches in your design.  Come back up where

your first stitch closest to the center (A) begins.  Work the

design until your come to the waste-knot.  The thread

should now be secured underneath the stitches on the

backside and the waste-knot can now be snipped off. 

 Back-Stitch or Point de Sable

 
From the back of your fabric, come up at (1) and go back down at (2), come up at (3) and go back down at (4).  Continue as illustrated.  Remember to pull your stitches through in the direction that the stitch will lay on the fabric and keep your tension even.  Your stitches should never be pulled too tight as to distort your fabric or too loose as not to lay flat on the fabric. 

Double-running Stitch or Point Holbein 

From the back of your fabric, come up at (1) and go back down at (2), come back up at (3) and go back down at (4) continue as illustrated, creating a broken line of stitches also known as the "outbound journey".  At the end of the line of stitches (6) follow the path or "return journey" back, filling in the gaps as you return to your starting point.

Cross-stitch

From the back of your fabric, come up at (1) and go back down at (2), come up at (3) and go back down at (4), crossing over the previous stitch.  To Begin your next cross-stitch, come back up at (3).  Make sure that your stitches are consistant, meaning that all the top bars are laying in the same direction.  For multiple cross-stitches, follow as illustrated.