Blackwork Autumn Beauty
BLACKWORK PATTERN READY TO DOWNLOAD, DESIGNED BY Lesley Teare Designs

Here is a beautiful portrait of a lady, seated in an arch of flowers and surrounded by white doves. She is leaning forward, holding a precious bowl, as if she were making an offering.

The skirt she is wearing is stunning, clinging to her slender body and flaring in the lower part, gipsy style. Her legs look as if she were ready to dance and contrast with her thoughful mood.

Created by expert designer Lesley Teare, the Blackwork patterns are very elaborate, in particular for the magnificent fabric motifs that make up the skirt. Other parts, worked in on a cross stitch base, are enriched with metallic threads and seed beads.

The shades of gray are dominant, but the stitched piece is nevertheless discreetly colored. No less than 13 shades of thread are used. Different thicknesses of black thread are used for the outlines, with a light touch for the face and body, and heavier fabric contours to create a more textured feel. You can render these heavier lines in 1 strand of DMC Pearl cotton size 8 and 12 thread. Alternatively, if you'd rather stick to embroidery floss, use 2 and 3 strands respectively.

This motif is part of a collection of 4 Blackwork portraits of women, a pattern for each season.

Like cross stitch, Blackwork is a counted thread technique, with stitches represented on a grid. A majority of stitches are backstitch, with some cross stitch filling certain areas. The chart comes with an extensive Stitching Guide detailing all stitches including fractional stitches.

A Blackwork pattern by Lesley Teare Designs.

>> see more patterns by Lesley Teare Designs
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Blackwork Autumn Beauty

Chart size in stitches: 168 x 196 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 14ct Aida or 28ct Linen/Evenweave
>> View size in my choice of fabric (fabric calculator)
Stitches: Cross stitch, Backstitch, French Knots, Fractional stitches
Chart: Color
Threads: DMC, Pearl cotton size 8 and 12 (optional), Kerinik Gold Fine Braid #4 or metallic of your choice
Number of colors: 13

Themes: portrait of a lady, woman, long dress, fall season, dove
 

>> see all patterns with portraits (all designers)

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