Stage 1 - Berlin Embroidery Designs

Tanja Berlin
Berlin Embroidery Designs
1481 Hunterbrook Road NW
Calgary, Alberta T2K 4V4, Canada
Tel: (403) 274 6293
Website: www.berlinembroidery.com
Email: [email protected]
Blackwork Mini Mystery Project
Stage 1 of 3
Blackwork Mini Mystery Project Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin
Please read the instructions pages 1 – 9 prior to beginning the embroidery to get a clear concept of what
is to be worked in stage 1. The embroidery size will be 7 ¼ inch (18 cm) wide by 4 ½ inch (11 ½ cm) high.
Requirements:
One piece of counted fabric 12 inch by 12 inch, 16 count or 32 count.
One skein of DMC floss or other embroidery thread – you can use black or coloured.
One Tapestry Needle: No. 24 for 16 count fabric. No. 26 or No. 28 for 32 count fabric.
The following can be acquired when you work stage 3 of the project when it will be made clear what the
supplies will be used for:
One piece of sticky back felt to back design – any colour (at least 7 inches wide by 5 inches).
40 inch length of 1 inch wide ribbon – any colour – might show
th
10 inches of string or 1/8 of an inch (3 mm) wide ribbon
One 8 ½ inch by 11 inch piece of stiff card – any colour – it will show so nice quality
One piece of stiff board to back embroidery 8 inch by 11 inch
White Tacky Craft Glue
Recommended Equipment:
Small embroidery scissors
9 inch by 9 inch stretcher bar frame and brass thumb tacks
Highlighting pen
Floss: From a skein of embroidery floss cut a 20 inch (50 cm) length of thread. Separate one single strand of
thread from the 20 inch length (there are usually six strands in a length) and use the single strand to stitch the
embroidery.
Chart: Use the chart on page 9 to work the embroidery and refer to the patterns in the instruction booklet to
work the blackwork patterns. The picture on the cover page shows what the first stage of the embroidery should
look like.
Starting and Finishing Threads
Start a thread with an away knot – leave a 4 inch (10 cm) length of the end of the thread off to one side of the
embroidery which can later be threaded onto the needle and finished by weaving back and forth through the
stitches at the back.
To ensure that the thread is securely fastened work a few backstitches over the stitches at the back of the work
whilst weaving in the thread. When beginning a new thread, if there are already stitches, then start the thread by
weaving back and forth through the stitches at the back of the work taking care not to cross over open holes of
the counted fabric.
Starting a Thread Method #1
1a.
Starting a Thread Method #2 and Finishing a Thread
1b.
1c.
Page 1: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Working the Embroidery
The embroidery is worked from the chart provided on page 9.
One line of the graph represents one thread of fabric when working on 16 count fabric or two threads of the
fabric when working on 32 count fabric.
The border is worked first and then the other patterns are worked in any order using the border as a starting
point for the pattern. More patterns will be provided for the empty spaces in the pattern in stage 2 of the minimystery project.
Working The Blackwork Patterns
The blackwork patterns are worked alternating between a running stitch and a back stitch. This method of
stitching gives an even line on the front of the work and is least likely to cross over open holes of the fabric on
the back of the work. It is best to stitch in an up and down motion (as in the diagrams below) with the fabric
pulled firmly in a stretcher bar frame rather than working the stitches in a sewing fashion as sewing can distort
the fabric and stitches.
Running stitch / Back stitch: A straight running stitch is made (see diagram 2a. below). The needle then
comes ahead of the first stitch and a back stitch is made into the end of the running stitch (see diagram 2b.
below). The needle then comes back up into the end of the last stitch and a running stitch is made (see diagram
2c. below).
Running Stitch
Back Stitch
2a.
Running Stitch
3b.
2c.
Note: Pull the stitches at an even tension so that the stitches lay on the fabric and not pulling on the
threads of the fabric. If the stitches are pulled tight, this will distort the shape of the pattern and open
the holes in the fabric.
Beginning the Embroidery: Border
Begin the border with the bottom center floral shape, marked as floral shape No. 1 on the chart on page 9. Work
the shape as close to the stretcher bar frame as possible (leaving about 2 inches of fabric from the bottom of the
floral shape to the bottom edge of the fabric) so that that when the border is complete there will be a space of
fabric above the border for next month’s step in the mini mystery project. See the picture on the front of the
instructions. Once the border is complete there will be a large space of fabric above the border for stage
2 of the mini mystery project.
The diagrams on the next two pages show two methods of working the floral shape on 32 count fabric. If you are
working the pattern on 16 count fabric then work the stitches over halve the amount of threads of fabric and
refer to the chart which is charted for 16 count. Once you become familiar with working the floral shape you can
make your own path to work the floral shapes just make sure to work the pattern in running stitch and backstitch
and avoid carrying the thread over open holes of the fabric.
Page 2: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Floral Pattern Method 1
The pattern above is charted for 32 count fabric, if you are working on 16 count fabric count over half
the number of threads.
Once the first floral shape has been worked, feed the needle and thread behind the stitches at the back of the
work in place for working around the next floral shape (see black stitches on the diagram above).
You can begin working around the next floral shape at any position and you can work the pattern clock-wise or
anti-clockwise, just take care to pull the stitches at an even tension so as not to distort the pattern.
The floral shapes meet at the sides. Where the floral shapes share the same side stitches it is not necessary to
work two stitches, just miss out the stitch on the next shape i.e. stitch 13 – 14 in the diagram above.
Page 3: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Floral Pattern Method 2
The pattern above is charted for 32 count fabric, if you are working on 16 count fabric count over half
the number of threads.
It is a good idea to highlight the floral shapes as you work them so you can keep track on how many have been
worked.
Also note how the floral shapes line up on the diagonal and across the top because if you miss count by one
thread of the fabric it will through off the shape of the border.
Work the whole border before working the rows of animals.
Note there will be a large space of fabric above the border for stage 2 of the mini mystery project.
Page 4: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Row of Nine Rabbits
Left Rabbit
The patterns opposite and
below are charted for 32
count fabric, if you are
working on 16 count fabric
count over half the
number of threads.
Note the rabbit on the left of
the line is facing the
opposite direction from the
other eight rabbits
Work each rabbit separately.
Begin the thread with an
away knot.
The first rabbit on the left is
mapped out with the easiest
starting position to count
down from the border.
Eight Rabbits in a Row
The other eight rabbits are
mapped out starting from the
tail as it is easiest to count
from the bottom of one rabbit
to the next as there are the
least amount of threads of
fabric between each rabbit in
this area.
You can work from one animal
to the next without starting
and finishing the thread, but
you will need to work part of
the pattern in double running
stitch to get into position for
crossing over to the next
animal and the thread can
show behind open holes of
the fabric when crossing over
to the next animal.
See example of double
running stitch on page 8.
Page 5: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Row of Seven Mice
The patterns below are charted for 32 count fabric, if you are working on 16 count fabric count over half
the number of threads.
The first six mice face left and the last mouse on the right is facing in the opposite direction.
Left Mice
Right Mouse
Page 6: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Row of Four Birds.
The patterns below are charted for 32 count fabric, if you are working on 16 count fabric count over half
the number of threads.
The first three birds face right and then the last bird on the right faces the third bird.
First Three Birds
Right Bird
Page 7: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Bees
The patterns below are charted for 32 count fabric, if you are working on 16 count fabric count over half
the number of threads.
Work each bee separately so you do not have to carry the thread behind open holes in the fabric.
Bees
The diagram opposite shows the
method of working the bee in double
running stitch.
Double running stitch can be used on
certain parts of the animal patterns to
get into position for working the next
animal if you do not want to start a
new thread for each animal.
Working the blackwork pattern in
double running stitches also produces
a 2-sided pattern if planned out
correctly.
As the embroidery will not be
displayed 2-sided it is recommended
to work the patterns in running stitch /
back stitch as it produces a more even
line.
Page 8: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin
Blackwork Mini Mystery Project – Stage 1
One line of the graph represents one thread of fabric when working on 16 count fabric or two threads of the fabric when working on 32 count fabric.
No. 1
Page 9: Blackwork Mini Mystery Instructions Stage 1 by Tanja Berlin © Berlin Embroidery Designs
No part of these instructions can be copied or shared without obtaining permission from Tanja Berlin