Welcome to Braids and Blackwork - my 2026 Block of the Month project! This fun design includes six identically sized rectangular panels. Three are worked in colourful canvaswork embroidery using motifs that are reminiscent of the geometric patterns sometimes seen on decorative fabric braids. The other three are filled with blackwork designs, highlighted with tiny touches of canvaswork.
I've used my version to create a pretty folding screen, but you could also mix and match the panels to create a single decorative layout, or use the individual panels to decorate items like books, bags, boxes, etc. Your course includes full colour notes, stitch charts, stitch diagrams and a comprehensive set of instruction videos. In addition, I will include full instructions with video support for creating the folding screen pictured here.
Sampler Panel - Autumn

Testimonials

“Thankyou for sharing all these wonderful stitches and patterns, this has been one of the best pieces I have done. I have really enjoyed learning new stitches.”

Kay, Queensland, Australia

“Your work is brilliant and you are so inspiring in your warm and professional videos.”

Kathy, Victoria, Australia

“This has been a really fun project. Thank you Ann-Marie, it's been a real learning experience and I have loved it.”

Ann, Victoria, Australia

“Thank you Ann-Marie for another lovely project. Looking back to Feb/March I realise how much I have learned, and how that has allowed me to be more adventurous!”

Wendy, Victoria, Australia

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I can promise you many hours of happy stitching and a beautiful completed project.

How It Works

The course is broken into five lessons. Lesson 1 will cover the the first canvaswork panel; Lesson 2 will cover the three blackwork panels; Lessons 3 & 4 will cover the second and third canvaswork panels respectively; and Lesson 5 will take you through some construction options for turning the panels into a decorative screen or as covers for beautiful handbound journals. Each lesson includes a chart of the design to be worked, detailed notes and stitch diagrams showing you how to work each stitch, and videos demonstrating everything you need to know. It's the next best thing to being in a classroom with me. In fact, it's probably better because you can play the videos over and over again if a stitch is unfamiliar! For those who prefer my more traditional notes format, all the information is also available as downloadable PDFs which you can print out and refer to offline.

Materials

What will you need to complete the project?

  • FABRIC: My original version was worked on 24-count Congress canvas. On this fabric, each finished panel measures 9.5cm x 14.5cm so I suggest using a piece of Congress that measures 50cm x 45cm to have room to work and cut out all panels. You can choose to work the project on finer linen or coarser 18-count canvas, but you will need to adjust the fabric size and thread quantities accordingly. I can supply a 50cm x 45cm piece of Congress canvas to Australian or New Zealand customers only for AU$17.50 plus shipping. See the link to my Etsy store below.

  • THREADS: My version is stitched in stranded silks from my own hand-dyed range. If you have some threads in your collection that have just been waiting to be used, this project is a great stash buster. You will need two strongly variegated threads, one more subtly variegated thread, and ten coordinating solids. You can choose to make one of the solids a metallic if you like a little bit of bling! More details are listed in the first lesson of the course. To purchase a thread pack from my Etsy store, there is further information below.

  • FRAMES: This piece is best stitched in an embroidery frame. 18"x20" (45cm x 50cm) stretcher bars or 17"x17" (43cm x 43cm) Q-snaps are both excellent options. You can also work on a scroll frame with a minimum width of 18” (45cm). If you find those sizes unwieldy, you can of course cut down the fabric and reduce the frame size to work two panels at a time instead of all six at once.

  • NEEDLES: You will need Size 24 tapestry needles to work this on 24-count Congress. Tapestry needles have a blunt tip and are the best choice for working this style of embroidery.

To order materials from me

  1. Please click here to order a thread pack from my Etsy store. The cost is AU$108 plus shipping and taxes for 18 skeins of hand-dyed 6-strand silk floss (or 17 skeins and one card of metallic).


  2. For Australian and New Zealand customers only, please click here to order your Congress fabric in a choice of white, soft ivory, eggshell, mocha, or light grey. The cost is AU$17.50 plus shipping and taxes. (For customers in other parts of the world, it will be more efficient and cheaper to order it directly from your favourite local or online needlework store.)

Instructor

"I believe that every single stitch you make is a BEAUTIFUL STITCH. A small brush of love on the fabric, recording for generations to come the time you put aside to create something special with your own hands."

Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes

Ann-Marie is a hand embroidery artist based in Perth, Western Australia. She has been stitching for as long as she can remember, but only took it up full-time in 2012 when she started her business, Beautiful Stitches. Her former professional career as a scientist was strongly grounded in mathematics, and that passion for geometry and number is clearly expressed in her embroidery designs. It is all about colour and pattern!

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You will love working these beautiful combinations of pattern and colour.