60 The World of Cross StitchingProject Blackwork Hummingbird
1 A pristine finish is important, so when you’ve
added the last stitch, pick up any fuzz with a piece of
sticky tape to leave the fabric clear.
2 Try a double-running stitch instead of backstitch- this will make your design the same on the back as
on the front, and it uses slightly less thread. Just stitch
a line of evenly spaced running stitch, then fill in the
spaces on the return journey.
3 Start with the outlines – stitch the edges of the
design first, then add the patterns in the middle. This
will give you an edge to work to, so you don’t need to
worry about counting the number of repeats, you just
keep stitching until you reach the edge.
4 Try using a hoop or frame for blackwork – it makes
sure that the pattern stays uniform across the whole
design, which is very important for a lovely finish.
5 Where the fill pattern butts up against the outline,
take care to position the point of the needle inside
of the line, where it belongs. Bringing the needle up
outside of the border would pull the outline out of
shape and may look messy.
Top tips for
stitching blackwork
50 60 70 80Blackwork Hummingbird chart (right)