Blackwork: a beginner's guide
Outlines first, then repeating fillings.
- Blackwork is embroidery generally worked in black thread, most strongly associated with Tudor England.
- It is usually counted: you count fabric threads for each stitch, so stitches are uniform on even-weave fabric.
- It uses two types of stitch: an outline, worked first, and filling stitches worked inside the outlined shapes.
- Fillings are usually one small motif repeated to form a pattern.
- Its lacy look earned it the name 'poor man's lace'.
Watch
Blackwork Embroidery - The basics behind the stitches! Start your journey here! (6:17)
By Sarah Homfray Embroidery · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 6-minute video from Sarah Homfray Embroidery on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.