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Queene Besse's Chesse Boarde - Blackwork Chessboard Chart Booklet
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Details
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This sumptuous detailed design comes as a 36-page spiral bound booklet containing 64 different blackwork charts (each of the 32 'black' squares has 2 variations), historical notes, background information and full instructions.
Chess and blackwork both have Moorish/Spanish roots, both of which sources inspired the design of this chessboard.
Queen Elizabeth I was apparently a keen chess player, having first learnt the game from her tutor, the humanist scholar, Roger Ascham. The design incorporates a sumptuous, but subtle play of rich black with gold which distinguishes so many of the beautiful examples of Elizabethan blackwork which have come down to us through the ages.
The design is worked in silk and metallic threads on 32 count Belfast linen. The design charts for the individual squares are each given their own name, which often gives a clue to the inspiration behind the particular design. Each square can be worked as a stand-alone design for a christmas ornament or scissor fob, on the same or a lower count fabric. The squares can be combined in sets of 4 to make pincushions - the design possibilities are almost endless. I have thought of over 100, including cushions, table linen, napkin rings, quilts, as well as the ideas outlined above.
Stitch Count = 442 Square
Design Area c. 35 cm (c. 14 inches) square on 32 count fabric
Graph/Thread ratio = 1 square:1 fabric thread intersection.
3rd Edition - December 2019.
Materials required to work the design as specified:
A piece of 32 count evenweave linen c 70 cm (c 28 inches) square
2 cards Rainbow Gallery Elegance E801 - Black, or a black Pearl 8 silk thread equivalent (outlines)
1 card Rainbow Gallery Splendor S801 - Black OR 2 cops of Charcoal No 330 from The Ebony Collection of Silk Threads*, or a black 330 denier silk thread equivalent (fillings)
1 spool YLI silk thread #100 - Black OR 2 cops of Spider's Web #60 from The Ebony Collection of Silk Threads*
1 spool DMC Fil Métallisé Art. 278 (Num 50 - Tex 20) #4251 - Black & Gold**
* subject to availability from Leon Conrad Designs
** Discontinued. Suggested substitutions: Kreinik Blending Filament 202HL Aztec Gold High Lustre or Madeira FS 2/2 No 20 #424 Antique Gold and/or #425 Sultan Gold
Add an extra card/cop of thread if you are planning to stitch the blackwork in this design in Back Stitch. You may also wish to mount your linen fabric on a backing cloth such as a piece of polycotton sheeting or cotton batiste and stitch through both layers to eliminate the problem of threads showing through to the front.
Finishing
Conservation-grade mountboard cut to the size of your chosen frame aperture; mount and frame or tabletop of your choice. Alternatively, this project can be finished as a wall-hanging in the style of your choice, for which you will need lining and interlining fabrics, and edging trim. Individual squares can be made up into a variety of projects, finished appropriately to each type of project.
Design size
442 x 442 grid squares (c. 35 cm (c. 14 inches) square)
Stitches used
Straight Line Stitches, such as Running, Double Running, Back and Running Back Stitches, Couching Stitch
Grid/fabric ratio
1 Grid Square intersection = 1 hole in the fabric defined by 4 intersecting fabric threads around it
Skill level required
Intermediate
Chess and blackwork both have Moorish/Spanish roots, both of which sources inspired the design of this chessboard.
Queen Elizabeth I was apparently a keen chess player, having first learnt the game from her tutor, the humanist scholar, Roger Ascham. The design incorporates a sumptuous, but subtle play of rich black with gold which distinguishes so many of the beautiful examples of Elizabethan blackwork which have come down to us through the ages.
The design is worked in silk and metallic threads on 32 count Belfast linen. The design charts for the individual squares are each given their own name, which often gives a clue to the inspiration behind the particular design. Each square can be worked as a stand-alone design for a christmas ornament or scissor fob, on the same or a lower count fabric. The squares can be combined in sets of 4 to make pincushions - the design possibilities are almost endless. I have thought of over 100, including cushions, table linen, napkin rings, quilts, as well as the ideas outlined above.
Stitch Count = 442 Square
Design Area c. 35 cm (c. 14 inches) square on 32 count fabric
Graph/Thread ratio = 1 square:1 fabric thread intersection.
3rd Edition - December 2019.
Materials required to work the design as specified:
A piece of 32 count evenweave linen c 70 cm (c 28 inches) square
2 cards Rainbow Gallery Elegance E801 - Black, or a black Pearl 8 silk thread equivalent (outlines)
1 card Rainbow Gallery Splendor S801 - Black OR 2 cops of Charcoal No 330 from The Ebony Collection of Silk Threads*, or a black 330 denier silk thread equivalent (fillings)
1 spool YLI silk thread #100 - Black OR 2 cops of Spider's Web #60 from The Ebony Collection of Silk Threads*
1 spool DMC Fil Métallisé Art. 278 (Num 50 - Tex 20) #4251 - Black & Gold**
* subject to availability from Leon Conrad Designs
** Discontinued. Suggested substitutions: Kreinik Blending Filament 202HL Aztec Gold High Lustre or Madeira FS 2/2 No 20 #424 Antique Gold and/or #425 Sultan Gold
Add an extra card/cop of thread if you are planning to stitch the blackwork in this design in Back Stitch. You may also wish to mount your linen fabric on a backing cloth such as a piece of polycotton sheeting or cotton batiste and stitch through both layers to eliminate the problem of threads showing through to the front.
Finishing
Conservation-grade mountboard cut to the size of your chosen frame aperture; mount and frame or tabletop of your choice. Alternatively, this project can be finished as a wall-hanging in the style of your choice, for which you will need lining and interlining fabrics, and edging trim. Individual squares can be made up into a variety of projects, finished appropriately to each type of project.
Design size
442 x 442 grid squares (c. 35 cm (c. 14 inches) square)
Stitches used
Straight Line Stitches, such as Running, Double Running, Back and Running Back Stitches, Couching Stitch
Grid/fabric ratio
1 Grid Square intersection = 1 hole in the fabric defined by 4 intersecting fabric threads around it
Skill level required
Intermediate
GB, England
