Home > Brodyworke Accounts > Blackwork Linen Partlet

Embroidery Started: September 12, 2009
Embroidery Completed: January 31 2011
Garment Constructed: March 7, 2011

This is a 16th century blackwork partlet, with the embroidery done in the simple, counted style of blackwork, using a double running stitch (aka Spanish stitch or Holbein stitch). The partlet is a garment worn by both gentry and noble men and women of northern Europe and England as an upper chest covering throughout the century.

The embroidery pattern is an allover flower & knotwork design, and it is a period inspired design. It was designed by Ianthé d'Averoigne, mka Kim Brody Salazar, the editor/author of The New Carolingian Modelbook - plate 59, titled 'The Buttery'. It is her design, based on period styles. A beautiful design, it kept my interest through the many months I worked on this project.

My partlet was designed to be worn underneath one of my kirtles that has a low V-shaped opening in the back, which is why the V shape extension of the blackwork design. The partlet can also be worn under another garment of mine that has a rectangular back opening. So to cover all bases, the embroidery extends to all areas that might be seen. The garment pattern is as simple a shape as possible, and is a basic rectangle with no shoulder seams. I currently have no ties, but can add them later, and will pin the garment into place.

The base fabric is 100% even-weave linen. The black thread is 100% silk, the lining is a linen/cotton (60%/40%) blend, and is sewn together by hand with a fine linen thread.

Caid's Arts & Sciences Faire

The blackwork embroidery won Journeyman First Place, Fiber-Needlework-Counted Thread Work, at the Kingdom of Caid's Arts & Sciences Faire and Pentathalon event in March 2011. My documentation pdf file can be found here (184k).

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