Redwork Embroidery Then And Now - By: David Faulkner

Redwork embroidery is an old type of needlework that originated
in England in the early years of the 19th century. It got its
name from the color of the thread initially used for this
particular type of embroidery.

In the early days, the dyes used for colored thread were not
waterproof and therefore faded away after a few washings. This
is why many people settled for the plain hues of untreated
cotton materials.

However, in Turkey, people have developed a new kind of dye that
does not wash away. They colored plain cotton threads and fabric
with a bright red tint and the product was popularly known as
Turkey Redwork.

People all over the world were greatly fascinated by the idea of
a new color for their embroidery, and the new product enjoyed
instant success.

Europe’s middle class were very interested in redwork
embroidery from the beginning because it is a kind of needlework
that they can easily afford. Silk was too expensive for the
average individual back then, but with the introduction of
redwork embroidery and cheaper cotton alternatives, they were
able to create beautiful designs at a much lower cost.

As time went by, redwork embroidery only got more and more
popular and soon embroiderers in America also got interested in
the art. Many embroidery shops started offering penny squares
for use on redwork embroidery all over the country. The typical
customers of these penny squares were young students who are
learning to do redwork embroidery in school.

After a few years though, people gradually began to lose
interest in redwork embroidery, just as they do with many other
fashionable hobbies. New trends have come up and many embroidery
enthusiasts were looking for new ways to practice their art.

In recent years however, it has begun to surface again as people
nowadays are very attracted to old ornate items. For the modern
person, antique linens and tapestries add an aura of richness
and luxury in the interiors of their homes.

For this reason, many people are trying to imitate the look of
old sheets, blankets and drapes with the original Redwork
embroidery which are now usually seen in museums and antique
auctions.

If you want to make your own version, you can either do all the
stitching by hand or use a modern embroidery sewing machine to help you finish the task muchfaster.

Either way, if you want to create a perfect replica of the
original Redwork embroidery, select threads that are very
similar in hue and texture to those that were initially used in
19th century England.

Redwork embroidery is an old type of needlework that originated
in England in the early years of the 19th century. It got its
name from the color of the thread initially used for this
particular type of embroidery.

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