Rediscovering An Old Love: Blackwork Heart Pattern Review

Last Updated on March 3, 2020 by lydiaf1963

I decided to revisit a craft I used to do all the time after seeing a blackwork heart pattern on my facebook and instagram feeds. You’ll find the pattern at Peppermint Purple’s website. Clare, the designer, has created a fun sampler perfect for introducing a beginner to blackwork motifs and how to work them for best effect.

What is blackwork?

Blackwork is a type of counted stitch embroidery where a decorative pattern is created over white fabric with black thread. Popular motifs include florals, paisleys and geometric designs, typically worked with a simple back stitch. The technique was popularized to decorate clothing in 15th and 16th Century Europe.

As you might expect, there is also red (scarlet) work and blue work. Today any color thread or fabric can be used and the name refers to the technique and the patterns produced.

Wikipedia’s Blackwork page has more information and a gallery of designs old and new.

Why I chose to make a blackwork heart

I used to be quite fond of embroidery, especially cross stitch. Some sort of kit was a standard Christmas present when I was a teen. I distinctly remember the last cross stitch project I made. It was a series of Chesapeake Bay lighthouses I was working on when 9/11 happened.

Once completed I kind of lost my interest in the craft. I had several pieces in my home and they were already starting to feel old fashioned. At the same time my sister had discovered working with stained glass and I switched my interest for a time.

Modern embroidery feels different to me than the projects I made in the 80s and 90s. There’s a sense of adventure rather than restraint. It’s gutsy rather than demure.

That’s not to say sweet patterns don’t exist. This one is just one example. I guess the proximity to Valentine’s Day and our anniversary put me in a sentimental frame of mind.

Tips for working your own blackwork heart pattern

To make your own project you’ll need:

• aida cloth
• embroidery floss, black for the outline any color you like for the designs
• tapestry needle
• embroidery hoop
• the pattern from Peppermint Purple.

After arguing with myself about starting yet another hobby, I ended up purchasing an embroidery starter kit and had a lot of fun choosing the colors I wanted to use for this project. My only regret is I don’t think the two light pink shades show off the pretty designs they form to best advantage.

In my blackwork heart I made the mistake of doing the outline with two strands of thread as is common in cross stitch. That was my fault for not reading through the instructions which state to use one strand. No worries. I didn’t let it stand in my way.

It was challenging to work out the best way to form the patterns with my stitching. To me, the improvement in my stitching seems obvious as I stitched. I spent several pleasant afternoons dipping my needle in and out of the fabric.

My favorite section is the blue in the center which reminds me of knitted cables. The most challenging was the dark blue in the top right. I don’t like my stitching in that section. If I were to do that pattern again I’d work all the hexagonal repeats first, then go back and fill in the lines.

After stitching I gently washed my blackwork heart in cold water, rolled it in towels to dry and gently pressed with an iron on low before framing it in an IKEA frame I had laying around.

It took almost 20 years for me to complete a new embroidery project!

You might recall my word for 2020 is RENEW. One definition of renew is to “resume (an activity) after an interruption.” It’s been quite an interruption, but I’m happy with the results and my renewed appreciation for modern embroidery of all kinds.

If you like this pattern you’ll want to check out Peppermint Purple’s Etsy Shop. It’s loaded with beautiful designs. For 2020, she’s also offering a year long Stitch A Long with a Blackwork Sampler. You’ll find more info in the companion Facebook group.