QNM Articles & Patterns

Redwork by Machine

By Marge Serck, with Jeannie Spears

I've been collecting old examples of Redwork for several years. Simple, sometimes even primitive, patterns embroidered on muslin with red thread was a popular technique around the turn of the century (the last one, that is), and is currently enjoying a revival among quiltmakers. As a machine embroiderer, I wondered if I could achieve the same look as hand embroidery, and the technique turned out to be very easy. I used the Spring Basket motif, shown on our Redwork Pattern Pages, to illustrate the technique.

Marge Serck is a teacher, designer, Elna dealer, and owner of The Creative Needle in Littleton, Colorado. Jeannie Spears, retired Senior Features Editor at QNM, is the owner of Picture Perfect Fotos on Fabric, a photo transfer service available through mail order and at major quilt shows.

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