A CATALOG OF FINE NEEDLEWORK DESIGNS AND SUPPLIES

BLACKWORK DESIGNS

Samplers of Reversible Bands From the 16th Century

Not all designs stitched with black fibers are meant to be stitched reversibly.  One exception are the band designs found in 16th and 17th Century patternbooks (modelbuchen) printed in Germany, France and Italy.  We know these bands were stitched on collars and cuffs of early clothing because we have contemporary portraits that depict the designs with great accuracy.

Our five samplers of reversible bands are designed using patterns from a pattern book printed by Peter Quentel in 1527.  To aid the stitcher we have charted the journeys necessary to stitch the bands using double-running stitch in color.