I have been searching for instructions on how to do red work, but all I can seem to find is just patterns. Which are great but they don't tell me how.
Does anyone know were I can find a book, or something that will teach me the stitches used in red work. I have always wanted to make a quilt with red work blks.
I would appreciate anyones help

Rebecca P

Hi Rebecca!
Leanne does redwork... she's in Australia. She said she has lots of patterns etc. I'm sure she would help you out. Deb

Hi, Rebecca! I love doing redwork!! Leanne had a swap earlier this year, which I am just finishing up. We had 6 ladies involved.

anyway, here are a couple of links. Redwork is easy, usually just a backstitch or stem stitch, and sometimes lazy daisy stitches.
http://www.blockcentral.com/redwork.shtml
http://www.yesterdayscharm.com/embroidery_lessons.htm
http://www.quiltbus.com/redwork.htm
http://primrosedesign.blogspot.com/2006/09/stitch-school-stem-and-outline.html

http://www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/redwork.htm

Just holler if you need more help or advice or patterns! I'm still debating what I'm gonna do with my blocks - I have already decided to make one of each of the blocks I made the others. It's so fun and relaxing.

Gerda

http://sentimentalstitches.net/free-stuff/janes-redwork-embroidery/
http://www.redwork.info/
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/redwork-embroidery.html

Gerda & NDeb,
Thank you for your help. Those are some great sites. I printed off the instructions for stitches & I'm going to give it a try. What type of needle does one use?
Rebecca P

Rebecca, an embroidery needle works best, it's got a bigger eye and is a bit thicker than a sharps, but if you don't have any, use what you have for now.

Gerda

Thanks again Gerda,
I'll let you know how it goes with my first attempt at redwork.
Rebecca P

My grandmother did quite a bit of redwork and bluework. I know I have seen some blocks she did from the Roly-Poly series by Ruby McKim(?). I have also seen some circus animals and farm animals that I suspect she got from coloring books belonging to my dad's younger siblings. I can't seem to lay my hands on them. Maybe my mother has them.

I do have one piece of a floral redwork she did. I have sent an image to Betty and asked her to post it so we can all enjoy it. It is looking a little rough around the edges. My sister had had it for many years. It had been through a fire, had waterstains, and was showing its age in general- I suspect from the fabric that it is from the 30's.

I have cleaned it; my plan is to mount it on muslin and have it framed. The red streaks that you may be able to see are not from the thread bleeding. The fabric is very sheer and those are loose tails of embroidery floss. I need to weave them into the back of the stitching before I mount it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Betty2Max,

Hila-Mae's_Redwork1.jpg (50 Kb, 39 downloads) Hila-Mae's Redwork 1

Hello,

I have never done redwork ... or blue work ... but lately I have been thinking about giving it a serious try ... thanks for all the tips.

Meg ... thank you for sharing your grandmother's redwork. What a treasure!

Meg,
Your grandmothers blk is just so lovely. What a treasure to have in your family. Thank you for sharing. That is just what I want to learn.
Rebecca P