okay I have a question, what makes a Redwork --a redwork, is it using one color? some of them I can not see any diffeance from the other designs.like the todays free one!

Brenda, the penny squares that jrob mentioned were used to teach young girls how to stitch, because so many girl went into service in *big houses* in those days, and needlework was a neccesary thing for them to know. Also these days, you can use 2-3 colors and still call it redwork, but the design must still be just the outline, with maybe a little shading added. Know you all know that both jrob and I are full of totally useless information, haha!!! Hugs and flowers sweetie.

1 comment

by ruthie 17 Mar 2008

Forgot to say brenda, the *Redwork* site used to be called *Lovely*, and I think some of the filled designs are up there from then.

Good answer jrob, you always come through!

1 comment

by jrob 16 Mar 2008

Thank Kay, sometimes I give "Too"much, but I like to know the why behind things. Comes from having a mother that was a school teacher, I think. ;)

Hello Brendaleas, Redwork is an embroidery in a colour for me. Whether red, however, blue or black it makes no difference should be in a colour and only contour, no full patterns. Bluemen for you

I think your question was answered, but I had looked up Redwork a few weeks back, because I was interested in it and found the following:
Redwork Embroidery

In the United States, redwork history can be traced back to the late 1800s. Redwork embroidery was very popular right across America. Usually it was used in coverlets and spreads as well as household linens. The coverlets were thin, consisting of only a top and bottom, no filler, and were used in the summer.
At first red thread was used for this type of embroidery because the method of dyeing the "red" color resulted in a color fast thread. Other colors would run when washed and did not hold up with repeated washing. By the 1920s, dyes improved and other colors became available.
Penny squares were a very popular method of making redwork quilts. Each square had a design stamped on it and could be bought for a penny, hence the name. Some of the antique redwork quilts available today were made from penny squares. There was a variety of designs available, including children, animals, nursery rhymes, flowers, fruit, vegetables, or a design of historical importance. These designs were worked in a variety of stitches. The outline or running stitch were used the most. Other stitches included cross stitch, chain, stem, and double running.
A little history lesson. ;)

5 comments

by raels011 16 Mar 2008

great to learn something new

by stickmuster 16 Mar 2008

Danke fürs Geschichtsunterricht. Das war für mich auch sehr lehrreich. Bluemen für Sie

by clawton 16 Mar 2008

Great information jrob. Enjoyed reading that. We learn all the time around here.

by freida 16 Mar 2008

Very well said

by jrob 16 Mar 2008

Stickmuster, Blüht beide zu Ihnen. Vielen Dank für Ihre Ideen. ;)
Thank you all!

Normally traditional redwork is usually one color and mostly just an outline, your example does make you question the normal rule, doesn't it?

Hello Brendaleas, Yes, redwork means that you only use one color for the design, but of course you can choose any colour you like and sometimes it depends from color of the material you want to embroider on. Hope this is an answer you can use. *4U