Blackwork embroidery kits and patterns

Ever have those moments where you're itching to stitch something beautiful, but you're short on time? Or maybe you just want a quick creative burst without committing to a huge project?

That's where these weekender designs come in!

Think of them as bite-sized bursts of stitching joy. We're talking designs that are:

Colorful: who says blackwork has to be black?

Exciting: Ready to try a new stitch or dust off an old favorite? These designs are your chance to experiment on a small scale.

Whimsical: Think tiny critters, landscapes or flowers that bring a smile to your face (and everyone else's!).

And the best part? They're perfectly portable so you can take your stitching adventures anywhere!

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Red Butterfly

Picture a butterfly, wings outstretched, shimmering with gold accents, gracing your wall. This isn't just a dream; it's the reality you can create with our blackwork butterfly design.

This design, featuring a rich burgundy hue accented with metallic gold, is stunning.

While the intricate blackwork patterns may appear complex, they are surprisingly easy to stitch. Your family will be impressed by the beautiful results, unaware of the simplicity of the process.

Stitches Involved

This intricate design incorporates two distinct stitch techniques:

• Blackwork: The heart of this design, 2 fill patterns form the fore and hind wings.
• Cross Stitch: Used for the solid areas, cross stitch adds some contrast.

Design Inspiration

Inspired by the fleeting beauty of butterflies flitting through sun-drenched meadows, this design captures their grace in a timeless piece of art.

Stitch this Red Butterfly and bring a touch of nature's magic into your home.

What's In It For You?

• Learn Blackwork: This design is a great introduction to the art of blackwork embroidery.
• Unique Aesthetic: The combination of blackwork and cross stitch creates a unique and eye-catching design.
• Versatile Décor: Frame it, add it to a sweatshirt, or embellish a tote bag - the possibilities are endless!

Perfect For

Beginners looking to explore blackwork, experienced stitchers seeking a quick and satisfying project, and anyone who wants to add a touch of elegance to their home.

What You'll Receive

• Downloadable, detailed pattern instructions and chart

Ready to spread your creative wings?

Download the Red Butterfly design today and let your imagination take flight!

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Red Roofed Cottage

Stitch a Slice of English Countryside

Stitch a cozy red-roofed cottage, nestled amidst rolling hills and fields. This charming blackwork embroidery design captures the beauty of the English countryside, bringing a touch of rustic charm to your home.

Stitches Used

This intricate-looking design incorporates 9 distinct fill patterns, along with cross stitch for the cottage.

Design Inspiration

Inspired by a picturesque farm house nestled in the heart of the English countryside, this design evokes the warmth and tranquility of rural life.

Just like the patchwork quilt of colours in the surrounding fields, it invites you to experiment with your own palette.

Perfect For…

• Practicing New Patterns: You could look at this design as a mini sampler, where you get to try out different patterns
• Unique Color Palette: Use your creativity and personalize your cottage with your favourite colours.
• Versatile Décor: Stitch it onto a pillowcase, tea towel, or frame it as art.

What You'll Receive

• Clear, colour coded chart
• Detailed, easy-to-follow pattern instructions

Ready to bring the countryside into your home?

Download your Red Roofed Cottage pattern today and start stitching today!

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Blackwork Snail

Spark your creativity with this captivating blackwork snail, a stunning fusion of intricate patterns and elegant simplicity.

A delicate snail shell, its spiralling form brought to life through a mesmerising variety of blackwork stitches. This isn't just any snail; it's a combination of patterns and tones, each segment of its shell a unique work of art.

Stitch Patterns

This design features 11 variations of blackwork fill patterns. A veritable sampler for you to complete. Use those provided on the chart, or copy the outline and fill it in with your own choice. 

Stitch the antenna in cross stitch, and leave the body empty for contrast.

Design Inspiration

Inspired by the quiet beauty of nature, I wanted to capture the intricate details of a snail's shell in a way that celebrated the artistry of blackwork embroidery.

This design allows you to explore the endless possibilities of a single stitch pattern, and how you can change it up by adding extra stitches.

What's in it For You?

• Master new stitch techniques: This sampler provides an excellent opportunity to practice and perfect your blackwork skills.
• Unique stencil effect: The fragmented shell design creates a striking visual impact, unlike any other blackwork piece.
• Endless customisation: Experiment with different thread colors, metallic accents, or even add your own personal touches to make this design truly your own.

Perfect For...

Embellish tote bags, personalise boxes, or frame this stunning snail as a standalone piece of art.

What You'll Receive

• Downloadable easy to read chart
• Instructions

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Tommy Tortoise: A Shell-ebration of Blackwork

Meet Tommy, the charming tortoise ready to bring a touch of whimsey to your embroidery project! His glossy shell, rendered in blackwork, shows the beauty of simplicity and shading.

How Is It Done?

The highlights are left empty, the base pattern is then worked over the rest of each section. Then on the upper shell additional stitches are used to add shading, while the legs and under shell use a different method. Here more strands of floss help to build up the shadowed areas. 

What do you learn from it?

• Improve Blackwork Skills: This design is perfect for improving your blackwork skills, teaching you how to create depth.
• Shading Technique: Discover the magic of combining stitch density and thread strands to achieve realistic 3D form.
• Versatile Design: Personalise Tommy with your favorite colours for a unique creation.

Perfect for...

• Wall art
• Pillows
• Children's bedding

Ready to bring Tommy Tortoise to life?

Download the pattern today and start stitching!

Testimonial

Erica, from Cumbria, UK, stitched this design and wrote in...

"I bought this to do for my mum, as she had always wanted another tortoise after ours died when I was a young girl.

She kept buying pottery ones until her fireplace was full of them. Dad commented that she could have bought a real one with all the money she had spent on the pottery ones!

I did this for her, because of her love of tortoises and my love of blackwork. It was really quick and easy to do. The chart was very easy to follow, and I kept it a secret from her until she received it for her birthday.

It now has pride of place in her hallway, and she even has two real tortoises now as well."

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Calla Lily - A Modern Twist on a Timeless Classic

Create with this stunning Blackwork Calla Lily design, a modern interpretation of a timeless floral motif. Elegant white threads blooming against a deep black fabric, capture the essence of purity and rebirth.

The result is a striking piece of art that is both classic and contemporary.

Stitches used

This design gives the effect of lace, by using a combination of light and heavy fill patterns. 

Because it is worked in reverse, the patterns with MORE stitches will appear whiter than those that are less densely stitched. It can take a while to get your head around this, which is why I have labelled it for Experienced stitchers. 

There is also a little shading used to give roundness to one of the central petals.

What will you learn?

• Improve your blackwork skills: Master four distinct stitch patterns and explore the beauty of working in reverse.
• Eye-catching: The white-on-black color scheme creates a modern twist on a traditional technique.
• Versatile design: Perfect for framing, embellishing clothing, or adding a touch of elegance to home décor.

Perfect For...

Embroider this stunning calla lily onto a...

• tote bag
• cushion cover
• or framed sampler

Let its elegance enhance your everyday items or become a stunning focal point in your home.

Download your Blackwork Calla Lily pattern today for just £2.25 and start stitching your own masterpiece.