The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways.

This series of Essential Stitch Guides provides expert tuition on a variety of techniques. In this guide to blackwork, Graduate Apprentice and tutor, Becky Hogg, shows how to develop many different patterns from the basic blackwork stitches, using detailed instructions and beautiful examples of traditional and contemporary embroideries. There is a fascinating look at the history of blackwork, a guide to the materials needed, and then a detailed look at the stitches used. These are then developed into a huge variety of beautiful patterns, and finally there is a guide to varying the look of these patterns through the use of different shading techniques. There are inspiring embroideries throughout the book, both historical pieces and contemporary works by the author and other RSN apprentices.

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An excellent glossary of stitches. Perhaps not a book for a beginner, but brilliant for those who want to make their own designs. There is a good section on using different weight threads and an excellent array of different stitches, and how to transfer your design to fabric.

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A very useful stitch library. This book has very good selection of stitch patterns, and I particularly liked the section on shading. The illustrations of finished pieces are amazing, particularly the tiger and penguins.

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I was first introduced to blackwork at school and have been keen to revisit for some time, hence delighted to receive this book. It is very comprehensive on both history and stitches. 

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I have wanted to try Blackwork for a while now, I have done crochet, embroidery and tapestry. I love this book. It goes through the history of Blackwork then shows how to do the stitches and also how to plan your own design. Very easy to follow and there are plenty of pictures to help.

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The book has a very interesting history of blackwork, and then as you would expect from RSN, very clear, detailed patterns and projects. It takes you step-by-step on how to set up your project.  It details every stitch you could ever need to complete it. The blackbird and fungi are gorgeous. A must have in your library.