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Blackwork is a
Moorish style of embroidery which came to Britain via Spain
with Catherine of Aragon. In this book are sixteen modern
projects using the traditional stitches, showing how it can
be updated and reinvented for the 21st century.
There
are even some splashes of colored thread among the black and
white which gets my approval. No style should be so mired
in tradition that it can’t be dusted down and remixed
for a new generation of stitchers. The stitches remain the
same and there are instructions for these, but I think the
person who will get the most out of this book will be somebody
who is already au fait with the basics of embroidery. It will
help if they can also sew, as most of the projects a soft
toy mouse and a simple child’s tunic dress. Patterns
need to be resized or measured out, and then made up following
text instructions. Other simpler pieces with less making up
include wraps to add interest to candle holders, a sampler,
bunting and table mats. Some of the embroidery is geometric;
others depict flowers, moths, children playing, words and
a fish. All are the type of designs that aren’t contemporary
as much as timeless, and Catherine of Aragon would have been
familiar with this style of embroidery used to decorate clothing.
There are some lovely projects in here that are sure to have
wide appeal.
If
you cannot find a good range of embroidery and needlecraft
materials locally try http://www.searchpress.com for a list
of suppliers.
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