What Is Red Work?

Quilters are enjoying the resurgence of redwork embroidery, as trouble-free and relaxing handwork. Designs in redwork often carry one back to a simpler time and place. Redwork patterns are easily transportable for the sewer and quilter alike, and afford them the opportunity to take handwork with them on their journeys and errands.

Redwork is a term applied to a very simple line of embroidery stitching done with red floss. The stitch is usually either a backstitch or stem stitch. The image is a simple drawing, often of children, animals, flowers, birds, vegetables or fruit. Historically the images celebrated special events such as a World's Fair.  There were very limited colors of embroidery floss available in the late 1800s that didn't run or fade and turkey red was considered "safe". Today the DMC floss red color #498 or #304 are often chosen as the most authentic "turkey red" colors.
Paulette Pappas, Designer.