Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork
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Transcript of Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 1
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – “Going About Their Business”
The cross-stitch meets blackwork design can be worked on any count fabric. Design size on 14 or 28 count fabric: 7 inches (17 ½ cm) wide by 9 ¼ inches (21 ¼ cm) high Design size on 16 or 32 count fabric: 6 ¼ inches (17 cm) wide by 8 ¼ inches (20 ¾ cm) high Embroidery Requirements: One piece of counted fabric 14 inch by 16 inch One skein of DMC floss or other embroidery thread One No. 28 Tapestry Needle Recommended Equipment: Small embroidery scissors 12 inch by 14 inch stretcher bar frame and brass thumb tacks Highlighting pen Floss: From a skein of embroidery floss cut a 20 inch (50 cm) length of thread. Separate one single strand of thread from the 20 inch length (there are usually six strands in a length) and use the single strand to stitch the embroidery. Chart: The design comes as four separate charts on pages 7 to 10 of the instructions.
Starting and Finishing Threads
Start a thread with an away knot – leave a 4 inch (10 cm) length of the end of the thread off to one side of the embroidery which can later be threaded onto the needle and finished by weaving back and forth through the stitches at the back. To ensure that the thread is securely fastened work a few backstitches over the stitches at the back of the work whilst weaving in the thread. When beginning a new thread, if there are already stitches, then start the thread by weaving back and forth through the stitches at the back of the work taking care not to cross over open holes of the counted fabric.
Starting a Thread Method #1 Starting a Thread Method #2 and Finishing a Thread
1a.
Working the Embroidery 1b. 1c. The embroidery is worked from the large chart provided. One line of the graph represents one thread of fabric when working on 14 or 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 28 or 32 count fabric. The oval border is worked first and then the other patterns are worked in any order using the oval border as a starting point for the pattern. Read the instructions prior to stitching so you can decide the order in which you would like to work the patterns after the oval border.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 2
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Oval Border
Find the center of the fabric. On 14 or 28 count fabric, measure 4 ½ inches (11 ¼ cm) from the center to the top of the fabric. Mark the hole in the fabric with a pin. On 16 or 32 count fabric, measure 4 ¼ inches (10 ¾ cm) from the center to the top of the fabric. Mark the hole in the fabric with a pin. The marked hole in the fabric represents the top center of the oval border. Work the first octagon at the top center of the oval border in running stitch and back stitch over one thread of the fabric on 14 or 16 count fabric (see diagrams 2a. and 2b. below) and over two threads of the fabric on 28 or 32 count fabric (see diagrams 2c. and 2d. below). Finish with the cross-stitch at the center of the octagon.
Octagon on 14 or 16 count fabric – worked over one thread of the fabric
2a. 2b.
Octagon on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over two threads of the fabric
2c. 2d.
Work clockwise around the oval border. Carry the thread from the cross-stitch to where the next octagon touches the previous octagon (see the black stitches on diagrams 2b. and 2d. above). The positioning of the octagons change as you work around the border, you will begin with either a diagonal, a horizontal or a vertical stitch. Finish with the cross-stitch at the center of the octagon. The top diagonal of the cross-stitch should always be in the same direction. Use a highlighting pen to mark off each octagon on the large chart when it has been stitched. When one half of the oval border has been stitched check that the bottom center octagon lines up with the top center octagon. The last octagon on the oval border should exactly meet with the first octagon as on the large chart.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 3
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Ivy Trail
The ivy trail can be worked from the bottom left end of the ivy trail working up the right side of the oval border to the top. Begin the thread for the ivy trail with an away knot. After some of the ivy trail has been stitched then new threads can be started and finished in the stitches at the back of the work of the ivy trail. The leaves are worked in running stitch and back stitch over one thread of the fabric on 14 or 16 count fabric (see diagram 3a. below) and over two threads of the fabric on 28 or 32 count fabric (see diagram 3b. below). All leaves are worked in the same method but point in different directions and some leaves have a different angled stem. Follow the large chart and rotate the diagrams below to face the direction in which you are working the leaf. Leaf on 14 or 16 count fabric – Leaf on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over one thread of the fabric worked over two threads of the fabric
3a. 3b.
Leaf on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over two threads of the fabric
3c.
It is okay to work the leaf shapes anti-clock wise if preferred and it is okay to begin stitching at any position on the leaf. Alternatively, you can work the leaf pattern in a different running stitch and back stitch sequence to be in position for the next leaf or cross stitch – plan your path. Work the cross-stitch branches on the path to the next leaf. Refer to the cross-stitch instructions on page 4. If you need to be on the other side of the leaf to work the cross-stitch stem then weave the needle and thread behind the stitches of the leaf taking care not to cross over open holes of the fabric (see black stitches on diagram 3a. opposite). As you are working the ivy trail the best place to start and finish the thread is in the cross-stitches at the back of the work.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 4
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Cross-Stitch: Ivy Branches, Rabbits and Grass The cross-stitch will not entirely cover the threads of the fabric as in traditional cross-stitch as only a single strand of floss is used. When several rows of the cross-stitch are worked a very neat little diamond pattern is created adding to the interest of the embroidery. The cross-stitch is worked over one thread of the fabric on 14 or 16 count fabric (see diagrams 4a. and 4b. below) and over two threads of the fabric on 28 or 32 count fabric (see diagrams 4c. and 4d. below).
If there are only one or two cross-stitches in the area that you are working then work the cross-stitch in the following two stages:
First a diagonal stitch is worked from 1 to 2 and then a second diagonal stitch is worked over top from 3 to 4. It is okay to work the diagonal stitches in the opposite order than in the diagrams below as long as the top diagonal stitch is always in the same direction. Cross-stitch on 14 or 16 count fabric – Cross-stitch on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over one thread of the fabric worked over two threads of the fabric
4a. 4b. 4c. 4d.
If there are three or more cross-stitches in a row, it is best to work the cross-stitch in the following two stages. The first stage is to work a row of half cross-stitch - the bottom diagonal of the cross-stitch (see diagrams 4e. and 4f. below). Half cross-stitch on 14 or 16 count fabric – Half cross-stitch on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over one thread of the fabric worked over two threads of the fabric
4e. 4f.
The second stage is to work back over the first row of half cross-stitch with the top diagonal completing the cross-stitches. Working the cross-stitch in this method results in a more even pattern. Complete cross-stitch on 14 or 16 count fabric – Complete cross-stitch on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over one thread of the fabric worked over two threads of the fabric
4g. 4h.
Grass: Work the small clumps of grass in cross-stitch and running stitch and back stitch for the blades – follow the large chart to work the grass.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 5
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Flowers: Being Eaten by the Back Rabbit It is easiest to work the cross-stitch line in front of the flowers before the flowers so there is a place to anchor the embroidery thread. The flowers are worked in running stitch and back stitch over one thread of the fabric on 14 or 16 count fabric (see diagram 5a. below) and over two threads of the fabric on 28 or 32 count fabric (see diagram 5b. below). You can cut across the back of the fabric from one flower to the next but try to take the shortest path so that the thread is not cutting across the back of more open holes of the fabric than is necessary. To get into position to cut across from one flower to the next you can weave the needle and thread behind the stitches of the flower head (see diagram 5b. below) or you can work the flower pattern in a different running stitch back stitch sequence to be in position to cut across to the next flower – plan your path. Flowers on 14 or 16 count fabric – Flowers on 28 or 32 count fabric – worked over two threads of the fabric worked over one thread of the fabric
5a. 5b.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 6
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Information about the Designer
Tanja Berlin trained at the Royal School of Needlework from 1990 until 1993 as an apprentice learning all aspects of hand embroidery. Tanja stayed another two years working at the Royal School of Needlework in their workroom working on commissions, restoration and conservation of needlework. In 1995 Tanja went on a world travel tour and after 3 years settled down in Canada. She teaches throughout Canada, USA and internationally. Tanja runs a website where she sells her embroidery designs at Berlin Embroidery Designs. Website: www.berlinembroidery.com Email Address: [email protected] Telephone Number: 403-274-6293 Tanja also designs in blackwork, goldwork, needle painting (thread painting), white work, Jacobean, both sides alike (two sided embroidery), Carrickmacross lace, Hapsburg lace and some other needlework techniques. Kits with detailed instructions can be purchased from her website: www.berlinembroidery.com There are group rates for six or more of the same kit purchased and discounts for $150.00 or more worth of kits purchased. Below are the designs available in the Cross-stitch Meets Blackwork Series.
Contemplation Going About Their Business Hummingbird Haven
Landscape Relaxation Swan Reflections
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 7
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Pattern 1 of 4, Top Left Hand Corner of the Pattern
One line of the graph equals one thread of fabric when working on 14 or 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 28 or 32 count fabric.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 8
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Pattern 2 of 4, Top Right Hand Corner of the Pattern
One line of the graph equals one thread of fabric when working on 14 or 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 28 or 32 count fabric.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 9
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Pattern 3 of 4, Bottom Left Hand Corner of the Pattern
One line of the graph equals one thread of fabric when working on 14 or 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 28 or 32 count fabric.
Cross-Stitch Meets Blackwork – Going About Their Business by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs Page 10
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin at www.berlinembroidery.com
Pattern 4 of 4, Bottom Right Hand Corner of the Pattern
One line of the graph equals one thread of fabric when working on 14 or 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 28 or 32 count fabric.
