Add more depth with blackwork embroidery shading techniques

Have you tried my free blackwork embroidery chart and are now looking for a challenge? Why not try shaded blackwork?

Together we will use two simple techniques to add an impression of depth to our blackwork embroidery - adding extra stitches to a pattern and using more strands of floss.

If you haven't tried blackwork before you might find my beginners blackwork e-book helpful to teach you the basics.

Download the chart for this pair of pears to get started.

You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and read this chart. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, you can just click on the link. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As." Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

Once you have saved the file, locate where you saved it, and double click to open.

In order to print, open the downloaded file, and select the "Print" option from the menu.

Design size

This design measures 3.3 x 3.9 inches when worked on 14 count Aida. The stitch count is 46 x 54.

You will need

8 x 7 inch piece of Aida 14 (or evenweave if you prefer)
DMC 470 stranded cotton (or colour of your choice)
Size 24 tapestry needle

Outline your blackwork embroidery first

You can stitch the outlines of the pears, using 2 strands, in either back stitch or double running stitch. If you are confident with your counting you can start your thread with the loop method otherwise I suggest leaving a tail. This way you can undo your work from the beginning if you make a mistake and don't notice it until over halfway round the outline. I've been there, done that!

The stem

The stem of the pear is worked in cross stitch in two strands.

Working the blackwork embroidery fill pattern

You could work the blackwork pattern in backstitch or, as I will show you, in double running stitch. I suggest using 1 strand of embroidery floss to give a delicate appearance.

We will treat each "flower" on its own and then move on to the next in a diagonal row. Diagram A shows the first "journey" around the flower, working every other running stitch. For the moment ignore the centre of the flower. When you meet up again at the top your stitching will match the completed flowers in the photograph, below left.
blackwork-pears-stitch-photo (12K)

pears-diagram-b (23K) Next, go back around the flower, filling in the missing stitches. This time pop in the horizontal and vertical stitches that meet in the centre of the flower as in Diagram B.

When each flower is completed move on to the next in that diagonal row. Use the outlines to carry the thread from one row to the next. You can weave under the outline stitches for a short distance without it becoming too obvious on the back of the work.

Shaded blackwork areas

To add shadow and depth to the design some areas are shaded by adding extra stitches to the blackwork embroidery using two strands.. I will tackle these in two stages. Some of the flowers have extra stitches in their centers. These can be worked at the same time as the flowers as shown below.

Finally we have the "squares" in between our flowers in places. Follow the chart carefully as some are completely stitched while others only partly. To stitch these you can either make four cross stitches and box them in with back or double running stitch or work them entirely in double running stitch.

Congratulations on finishing your first piece of shaded blackwork embroidery.

You can see this pattern in use in the dress of my medieval lady, Gwendoline, shown in the right hand column.