Introduction

In 2004, I revised Redwork Renaissance: 49 Designs from an 1893 Coverlet, a Redwork history grapes book/ how-to book/ and embroidery pattern book, that I initially prepared in 2002. At the time, I did not envision preparing more Redwork patterns and books for sale. Yet, when a friend later offered me an antique quilt top that her mother had collected years ago, in Wisconsin, I could not resist the charm of its quaint patterns and wanted to share them. After my first book was so well-received, I have continued publishing others.

Several of the designs here may look familiar to you, if you have my first book. Those two motifs of children can be attributed to Kate Greenaway, a British illustrator who both wrote and illustrated books for children. Another of her line drawings can be seen below.

Kate Greenaway figure

In my first Redwork book, I stated that, “Redwork embroidery, an art that is simple enough for a child, is challenging enough for an adult, to do it well.” The patterns found here will provide hours of enjoyment for anyone. Floral 1

There are ninety-eight main designs featured here: twenty floral illustrations, two “tea time patterns,” one large butterfly, thirteen small motifs, seventeen children, five leaf motifs, four lily pads, two fruit drawings, one Cupid (carrying a banner), eleven animals, fourteen birds, including a wonderful swan, one cross, one geometric star, one circle bedecked with ribbons, one sun, one fan, one champagne glass, one bell, and one figure on top of a square.

Chinese lantern

Included in this broad range of designs are very large patterns, medium size patterns, and small motifs that
would be suitable for a mini-quilt.

Floral wreath

These designs originally appeared in various print sources and other sources in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, including magazines for women, and "penny squares." There was also trading among friends, and some women created their own original drawings. Since this top has such a variety of designs and sizes, this is most likely an early Redwork piece. The quilt top from which the designs were taken has neither a known date of construction nor the name of the person who had embroidered it.

Please respect us and our efforts and observe the copyright laws.
Please do not copy pages from our book for free distribution. Thank you.

We hope that you will make some wonderful Redwork items, and that you will have fun!!!

Happy Embroidering!

Website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com or e-mail: pat@quiltersmuse.com