*Blackwork*

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*Costumes*

Here is a beautiful collection of 16th century garments which have survived 500 years of time. Thanks to the great work of restoration in some of our well known museums, we can still study the extensive embroidery work which has been preserved.

The main period of time which blackwork was most popular was from 1530. It was mainly to be found on handkerchief, coifs, hoods, jackets, waistcoats, stomachers, shirts and nightcaps. This period was the transition of the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of Renaissance England, medieval to the modern world.

With the progress of the printing press, and the first embroidery pattern book to appear in England in 1548 by Thomas Geminus titled, "Moryssche & Damaschin renewed & encreased very profitable for Goldsmiths & Embroiderers", it contained arabesque designs. Gradually more books came to England from abroad and from the black and white illustrations, motifs and designs were copied directly from the engravings, illustrations of exotic fauna and animals as well as the pattern books.