Assisi Embroidery

Assisi embroidery is a very close relative to Blackwork embroidery, as they are both a counted-thread type of embroidery. Assisi embroidery is almost the complete reverse of Blackwork embroidery, with Blackwork embroidery you create a design and then fill it with the repeating Blackwork patterns, however with Assisi embroidery you fill the background with stitches and the design is the area that is left empty.

This form of embroidery counted-thread embroidery originated in Italy, the name of the type of embroidery “Assisi”, is actually the name of the town in Italy from where this type of embroidery started.

When working Assisi embroidery, a mixture of Cross-stitch and Blackwork embroidery stitches are used to fill the background and to create the surrounding decorative effects.

Traditional Assisi embroidery was worked in long-armed Cross-stitch, not the modern type of Cross-stitch that we use most often today. Long-armed Cross-stitch is when the cotton passes over multiple threads rather than just one.

The colours used for Assisi embroidery were very traditional one, such as red, blue green and gold in the background and the outlines of the embroidered design were completed in black or brown. However, modern works of Assisi embroidery are completed in any number of colours with the added use of metallic threads and sequins or beads. The traditional motifs used were animals and birds surrounded by ornate filigree borders, however, if you wish to try Assisi embroidery, you could use any motif, it does not have to be traditional.

You can design your own Assisi patterns using the same methods as I’ve described for creating Blackwork embroidery patterns, however traditionally the patterns were drawn directly on to the fabric.

Assisi embroidery was a popular for of embroidery between the thirteenth and seventeenth Centuries, where the images used developed from the basic animals to mythical creatures. However the popularity of the embroidery seemed to disappear around the eighteenth and nineteenth Centuries, not to reappear until the early twentieth Century, when the town of Assisi in Italy brought the type of embroidery back into popularity.

Assisi embroidery is an incredibly beautiful type of embroidery, especially when worked with Blackwork stitches over those of Cross-Stitch. Assisi embroidery is especially good for work as borders, which would look wonderful on table cloths or cushions. However, more advanced pieces can be works of art in themselves, these pieces should be cared for accordingly. Mounting Assisi embroidery for display on a wall is a excellent way of preserving a piece as well as sharing it’s beauty with others around you.

I would recommend completing a piece of Assisi embroidery on linen embroidery fabric, as you need a relatively tight woven (high thread count) fabric, due to the main motifs being left blank. If you were to use Aida fabric for Assisi embroidery you may be disappointed with the results, as the large holes left on show would look rather ugly; whereas linen is beautiful even with only a few decorative stitches, and it offers itself to many more uses than that of Aida embroidery fabric.