Blackwork fill pattern library - pattern 1

Arrows and Diamonds

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

To help you extend your knowledge of blackwork embroidery let's build your library of blackwork fill patterns worked in double running stitch.

This pattern is useful for small areas of a design, and gives a dark overall effect.

It doesn't have any obvious direction in its final appearance and can therefore be used in an area of any shape. If, however, it had been made up of distinctly vertical rows it would better in an upright shape rather than a horizontal one.

Try to keep the overall shape of the design section in mind when you choose your blackwork fill patterns to get the best effect.

How to work this pattern

This pattern is worked in vertical and horizontal rows. Start working it by following row 1 on the step by step diagram above. Each stitch is worked over 1 Aida block (as shown) or 2 evenweave fabric threads.

Starting with step 2 of the diagram I have coloured all the existing stitches in this pattern in black, with the new stitches for the current row in blue. So for step 2 fill in the gaps with vertical stitches.

Repeat these steps to fill the area with the first layer of the pattern.

For step 3 we will work horizontally by working diagonal stitches (again the current row is in blue). Be careful to stitch them in the right place, I can attest to the fact that it doesn't work too well otherwise!

Return as in step 4 to complete the pattern.

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