I've been thinking of putting together some blackwork design packs (of my original designs) with themes, but I'm not sure it's worth it. So many people seem weirdly nervous of blackwork, even though it's the exact same level of difficult as cross-stitch (aka - super easy).
My current mission is to get a friend to try non-counted embroidery, which she's nervous of. I don't think basic embroidery stitches (back stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, etc...) are any harder than doing cross-stitch. Really it's just a great relief to mindless follow a pattern printed on fabric, with no need to be constantly counting and checking up and glancing between fabric and pattern.
I have too many things I want to work on right now, one is a big Christmas present (15,000 stitches! It will be my biggest piece yet), then I want to restitch my Roman mosaic, add some embroidery to my mini-crazy quilt, work on my patchwork Aida concept, do another piece for the Illustration Stitch-Along (free choice this month), etc...
I don't get the blackwork fear either, but I do understand your friend's reluctance to try non-counted embroidery.
ReplyDeleteI've tried non-counted embroidery, and I don't like it. It's hard to know where to put your needle in the fabric so that the stitches are the right shape and size. With counted embroidery, there's a specific hole that you put your needle into and the stitches come out perfect (or near-perfect) every time.
Still love the Tom Lehrer blackwork. It's the one that brought me to your blog. :)
Yeah, it does depend on the fabric and what stitch you're doing for non-counted being easier/harder. I know she'd have no trouble on a pillowcase weave or something similar and doing simple backstitch and stem stitch.
DeleteAw, I'm glad it was the Tom Lehrer piece that led you here. It's one of my favorites. I'm sure it won't be a great seller, but I like adding the variety and maybe it will stir up some long-lost Tom Lehrer love in someone.