Choosing To Enjoy Crafts

Redwork embroidery is a style of embroidery with a rich and long history. As its name suggests, redwork is an embroidered design created with a single color of red thread. It is thought to have originated in Turkey during the 19th century, but it soon came to the United States, where it gained popularity. You can teach yourself to do redwork embroidery over the weekend. Most redwork embroidery patterns are simple to follow, using only a few common stitches. If you know how to backstitch, you can make these fun projects:

1. Framed art

This is the simplest project, and it's a great place to start when learning to do redwork. Pick a pattern you'd like to display in your home. Hearts, stars, and home-related sayings are popular choices. Next, pick out your cloth. Muslin is the traditional choice, but any white or cream colored fabric will work. When you've finished embroidering your redwork, choose a nice frame to display your handiwork.

2. Clothing patch

Patches are a great way to personalize clothing and accessories. Give an old jacket a new look by sewing a custom redwork patch onto it. Make sure to pre-shrink the fabric you'll be embroidering, since it will end up in the dryer with your clothes. While you're planning your patch, make sure to leave a blank border around your embroidery so you will have room for the seam allowance.

3. Handkerchief

Handkerchiefs may seem old-fashioned, but they have a timeless elegance. A custom-embroidered handkerchief makes the perfect gift for Father's Day. Embroider your loved one's initial onto the handkerchief in redwork for a personalized touch.

4. Quilt

If you're feeling adventurous, a redwork quilt is the perfect project for you. You'll need to embroider several redwork patches to make a quilt, although the exact number will depend on which quilt design you decide to use. Use the same pattern for each of the embroidered patches for a classy, orderly quilt. If you'd like a more eclectic quilt, use a different pattern for each patch. You can even make a themed quilt; Christmas redwork quilts are quite popular. Line the quilt with a complementary red fabric for a harmonious effect.

Embroidery is a fun and useful hobby. You can make all sorts of fun projects to wear and use in your home. If you like the distinctive, beautiful look of redwork embroidery, get started on one of these projects this weekend.