Blackwork History
Here s a quick history lesson.
Blackwork history. This is why blackwork is sometimes known as spanish blackwork. It earned the dubious title of poor man s lace as it cost less to embroider garments than to attach expensive handmade lace. Is it moroccan spanish or english. Historically there are three common styles of blackwork.
Blackwork consists of outlines and fill or repeating diaper patterns. Blackwork dates back to before the 16th century and was popularized in england by henry vii s first wife catherine of aragon who brought blackwork clothing with her from spain. Origins styles and artists tribal tattoos make up a large portion of the blackwork style however dark art illustrative and graphic art etching. The origins of blackwork lay within ancient tribal tattooing.
Blackwork was popularised in england during the reign of henry viii 1509 1547 this technique was generally thought to have been introduced by catherine of aragon queen of england from 1509 1533 w ho brought it from its moorish roots in spain. You should start in the. Later blackwork features large designs of flowers fruit and other patterns connected by curvilinear stems. The history of blackwork part one.
The history of blackwork. Fabric because the patterns are often geometric patterns the fabric must have a precise even weave. However our reference today is to the form this style of needlework took in 16th and early 17th century england. Traditionally it was worked in black silk on white linen and was used to decorate clothing in particular collars and cuffs.
Blackwork also known as spanish work is a type of counted thread embroidery thought to have originated in spain. In the earliest blackwork counted stitches are worked to make a geometric or small floral pattern. Polynesian pieces known for their often abstract patterns. Many experts think that this form of embroidery originated from spain in the 1450.
Samplers turn up in the accounts of elizabeth of york but it isn t until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that history provides many examples. Seventeenth century spot samplers containing butterflies beasties and the odd basilisk as well as modern examples of blackwork a counted embroidery style popularised by katherine of aragon. There is a lot of history to blackwork.