The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard developing techniques in new & innovative ways This series of Essential Stitch Guides provides expert tuition on a variety of techniques In this guide to blackwork Graduate Apprentice & tutor Becky Hogg shows how to develop many different patterns from the basic blackwork stitches using detailed instructions & beautiful examples of traditional & contemporary embroideries There is a fascinating look at the history of blackwork a guide to the materials needed & then a detailed look at the stitches used These are then developed into a huge variety of beautiful patterns & 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 & contemporary works by the author & other RSN apprentices