Blackwork, also known as “Spanish Blackwork” or “Spanish work”, uses black thread on light colored fabric to portray unique geometric, rounded and shaded images. Blackwork was historically used to decorate the collars and cuffs of shirts. This technique creates an almost lace-like appearance that can be reversible because of the use of double running stitch.

Blackwork is traditionally made up of: Holbein stitch/double running stitch, backstitch and stem stitch. These stitches along with the contrast of the dark thread on the light cloth are a beloved technique and have been used since the 15th century!

This class is a great way to expand your embroidery skills, bring new dimension to your needlework, and connect to a long practiced tradition.

Date
Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Time
12:00 – 2:30 pm EST

Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class

*All sessions will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for one month after the end of the series for you to watch at your convenience.

Cost
$65 for the individual class, $350 for the series

Materials
An optional TATTER-curated materials kit is available for purchase here! Select ‘Purchase a Kit’ from the drop-down menu after adding your desired classes to  your cart. The materials kit includes most of the embroidery materials you will need for the six week adventure!

(1) Embroidery hoop 
(1) Frixion pen
(1) Pair of blue snips 
(1) Pack of sashiko needles 
(1) Pack of embroidery needles (sizes 5-10) 
(2) Tapestry needles 
(1) Needle Threader 
(10) Appliqué pins 
(1) Olympus carbon paper sheet 
(10) Mirror pieces for Shisha 
(2) Lightweight white cotton pieces 
(1) Mid-weight white linen piece 
(1) Mid-weight blue linen piece 
(2) Muslin pieces 
(1) Lightweight blue cotton piece 
(1) Aida cloth piece 
(1) 28 ct. even weave piece 
(4) DMC Perle cotton Size 8, assorted colors 
(3) Six-strand cotton embroidery threads by TATTER, assorted colors 
(1) Black DMC embroidery floss 
(1) 50 wt. black sewing thread 

Class Materials:

• 1x size 10 embroidery needle
• 1 x Black Size 50 Cotton Machine thread
• 1 x Black DMC stranded cotton (Colour number 310)
• 2 strands of DMC stranded cotton
• Zweigart 28 count ivory cashew linen or any 28 ct evenweave fabric – at least 10 inches square
• Embroidery hoop between 6 – 8 inches
• Embroidery or other small scissors
• A pencil
  
  Optional materials:
• A needle threader if you struggle with threading
• A light
• A magnifier
• Hands free embroidery hoop clamp stand

Our Teacher

Christina MacDonald is a hand embroidery artist from the UK. She studied at the Royal School of Needlework on their certificate course, gaining a distinction for her blackwork and winning their annual silk shading award. She has since had pieces in two of the school’s exhibitions at Royal Hampton Court Palace and has won the Technical Excellence award at the National Needlecraft awards in London.

She is both a member and exhibitor with the Society for Embroidered Work, who champion Stitched Art as Art.

Her blackwork embroidery has been featured in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in both 2020 and 2023.  In 2025 she has a new blackwork piece that will be exhibited as part of the Broderer’s ‘Art of Embroidery’ exhibition in London.