This looks great Amy! A good introduction to redwork. I'm so glad you chose a simple project for us to start with...so I'm in!!!

My experience...hmmmm...well, as a child, I was ill a lot, so my dad always bought me pre-printed embroidery kits to keep me occupied. (very big in the 50's) My work was very primitive! lol. As I got into high school, I embroidered all my jeans, jackets, etc. I loved Folk designs, with hearts and curly-cues. I've only done a few cross stitched things, some pre printed, some counted, but usually pretty small pieces...less than a foot square each.

It's been 30 years plus since I've done embroidery, so I've forgotten a lot of the stitches, and my eyesight is worse...so I have to wear a magnifier around my neck.

I have all the supplies except the floss..and I will pick it up this week. Do we need to prewash the floss and dry it first?

Thanks so much for doing this!! This is gonna be great fun!
Woodsy

I wanted to start simple. I will show ways to embellish the design once we know the basics. For a small project that I know won't be washed I don't prewash the floss or the fabric. I have never had a problem with the color running. Embroidery floss costs about 25 cents - not bad for a project! --Amy

Cool, no prep!! and low cost materials...my kind of project! lol.
Woodsy

This is going to be fun. I did some embroidery when I was a teenager. That was years ago. Woodsy you sound like me. I have a problem with my eyes, eventually I'll need new cornea's . But for now I try to make do. So I will probable need a magnifier. Where did you get yours? Mary in Va

Count me in! I already have all the materials on hand. I am not very experienced in embroidery but I have done tons of cross stitch and hand sewing.

Rebecca

Amy, I've done a lot of hand sewing,blind stitch,buttonhole ,straight stitching and basting but never learned to do embroidery .Do you think I might be able to do this? I would love to try it but don't want to be a pain in the "you know what"!LOL
Yvonne

Hi Amy,
I would like to sign up for this class. I know very little about embroidery....did some when I was a kid but didn't get past a chain st, daisy st, and french knot (that always tangled!). No other needlework skills except sewing my quilt bindings by hand so I know I will learn some new things.
Jean

Yes, anyone who has done cross-stitch or hand sewing will do great with redwork. Redwork is wonderful for beginners and a quick project for those with more experience, it's basically just sewing along a straight line. There are a couple of simple stitches to do for outlining. I use a backstitch - bring the thread up (A) and down one stitch (B), then bring the thread up 1 stitch in front of where you went down (C), then go back down at B. You will always be bringing the thread up one stitch in FRONT of the last stich and backstitching down in the hole of the previous stitch. Does this make sense? You can also do more decorative stitches such as stem stitch, but I like the simple look of the backstitch. If you know french knots or daisies, etc., you can use them for embellishment but it's not necessary. Check out the link to backstitch and stem stitch for a refresher before class.

--Amy

Here is a link that might be useful: Backstitch/Stem Stitch instructions

Thanks Amy Sign me up. I'll give it a try.Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks! (I hope so anyway)Thanks for doing this.

Sign-ups.

1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram

Hi Amy,
Thank you for doing this,so please count me in.I so want to try Redwork as we'll be camping most of the summer (read no sewing machine).I need a small project to try,if my Arthritis will just settle down,mine seems to act up in the summer.How much time do we have to finish this.I just need to get some floss, how many pks. will I need.
Trudy

Trudy, one skein of Red will make several pin cushion/ornaments. If you want to try other colors than red, that'll look nice too (choose colors for a butterfly - purple wings, green body, black antenae). I will be posting the class instructions in August, so I'd say if everyone could have their materials by the 1st we're good to go. These are a great small carry around project, you could easily finish the redwork butterfly block in an afternoon. There is no finishing deadline, but I will start a separate thread after class for show and tell!

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram
6. True4uca/Trudy

Hi Amy,

I do want to follow along. I have to say I learned to embroidery as a child. I have always enjoyed it and still do a little. For a while I did just counted cross stitch but have done some red work. I will work on improving my stitches and look forward to seeing your embellishments.

Count me in.

Sally aka Nana24

Forgot to ask. Do we use a particular butterfly or just one of our choice?

Thanks,

Sally aka Nana24

Sally, there's a link to the butterfly pattern in the original post and I'll post it here again. The butterfly pattern is on Page 2. You can use the pattern provided or your own butterfly or another redwork design if you'd like.

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterfly pattern

Hi Amy , I think I would like to do this too.
I have done some of those stitches but it has been years!!
betty

Sally, there is a link for the butterfly pattern at the bottom of the first message for you to print out.

Mary in Va- I got my magnifier at Walmart, back in the cross stitch section. It's round, has a cord that hangs around your neck, and it has a piece that folds out that sits on your chest, to keep it steady. If I remember right, it was under $10.

Sally, there's a link to the butterfly pattern in the original post and I'll post it here again. The butterfly pattern is on Page 2. You can use the pattern provided or your own butterfly or another redwork design if you'd like.

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp

Sign me up. I'm currently working on a heavy applique/embroidery quilt that has come to a stand still the past few months. Needed a break & life got busy. This sounds fun & not quite as intense.

Hello,
I'm in. I have done very little embroidery as I usually got too frustrated by the tangles and the messy back. I am of course, more mature and grayer so maybe with that will be some wisdom and patience :) . I think I still have some muslin left from my kitty quilts. Should we be tracing our butterfly on our muslin or will you be giving us the technique? thanks for organizing this. eanna

Amy,
Sorry. Not sure how I missed your link to the butterfly. Senior moment-head in the clouds? Actually, I was thinking of a butterfly that my 7 year old grandaughter drew last month for me to make her a punch card to sew. I have to say I was impressed. I may do both and give her mom, my DD,the one she drew. I will have to down size it but that will be fun.

With my face red, sorry,
Sally

How does this work? Sign up? Is it going to be on here where all can see or what?? Im kinda dense here..

This is so pretty. I can't wait to get started. I am going to Washington in the middle of August but should have no problems getting this completed. Thank you so much for teaching this class. Love learning new things.

me, me, me! I want to sign up!

Amy,
Great job on the pictures and supplies! Way to start the classes off. :)
-Jen

Sign me up too. Colleen

Sally, I think it's a great idea to use your granddaughter's butterfly. You can trace it onto the fabric - if it's a bit bigger, maybe you can add a border and make a pillow out of it for your DD. I encourage folks to start small to get the basics, then you'll find lots of inspiration for bigger projects, like a special drawing!

Caroline, you are correct, I'll be posting the class on the forum for everyone to see, but the sign-ups help me see what people's experience is with hand sewing and I get an idea of who's out there. Plus it gives the "Girls with Goals" a project to work on and feel they are part of the class! Lurkers are welcome for this class!

Deanna, yes, we will be tracing the design to the fabric, so if you're ready use whatever method you like for that. And the method I'll teach uses thin batting behind the fabric that hides all the messy back! As far as tangles, try not to cut your threads longer than 18", and if it's starting to tangle, just let the thread dangle and unwind. You can also use wax to prevent tangles, but I haven't tried that. Maybe one of your classmates has a tip for that!

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen

Sign me up please. I've done embroidery work before but it has been a number of years. The most recent work has been counted cross stitch. I'm excited to try this!
Kay

Count me in, I have my supplies and am ready to go.

beverly

I wanna sign up, I should have some time before school starts in the middle of august. I'm pretty sure I've never tried anything like this. When I was younger my mom tried to teach me to cross stitch but it never went anywhere. I'm excited to try this. now I have to go BACK to the store and get supplies, LOL. that means i will end up buying other quilting related stuff I probably don't need but I just HAVE to have.

Leah

Please sign me up.

I did some emroidery as a kid, I recently started crayon embroidery and I really enjoy it. Currently I am doing some baby blocks for a future quilt. I have two blocks completed and a third hooped and in process it's a lot of fun.

Marty (Missouri)

Marty, I will be mentioning crayon embroidery under embellishments, so I'll hope you'll share what you've learned with us then.

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo

I like doing Red work, Blue work, Black work . . . you get the picture. I would call myself experienced in hand needlework. ItÂs a lot more fun making stuff with other ladies than by myself. I love seeing the pictures on the forum. Looking forward to stitching.
Suellen

This is going to sound quite silly, but what exactly is 'redwork'? Is it called that because of the red stitching being quite obvious against a plain background?

Cziga, nothing is silly! The origins of redwork are because the red dye was one of the first to be colorfast (see Maryliz's origins of redwork post). The dyes originated in Turkey, so you'll also hear the term "turkey red". Red and white is a good combo, which is why I think it stuck! But then there was "blue work", "black work" and these days people do in many colors as I'll show.

Suellen, I hope you'll enjoy the project and give us your tips, too!

--Amy
Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen

Please sign me up. I've done embroidery yrs. ago. I love cross stitch and some handwork.
Carolyn

sign me up I embroidery but this will be fun... grace

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen
19. Csackett/Carolyn
20. Amazingcm/Grace

would like to sign up to. it's been a long time since i have done this type of sewing. my problem is my web will not go into pattern site. could you send pattern to me by e-mail so i can join as well.

Patti, send me an email (with Redwork class as subject) at agency2003 @ yahoo.com and I'll try to send the pattern as an attachment. --Amy

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen
19. Csackett/Carolyn
20. Amazingcm/Grace
21. Patti60

Hi,
I haven't done any embroidery for years, since I was a young teenager, and I wasn't very good at it then! I'd like to try this. I'll search the attic to see if I can find any of my embroidery materials, then purchase what I don't have.
Marcia

Amy,
I thought I would like to try this but I can't down load the Adobe pattern for some reason. I have bad luck with Adobe! I have a butterfly stencil I can use. I gather it is 5"x5". Is that OK.
Jayne
nanajayne

Jayne, you can use any butterfly you have. If you would like me to mail you the Adobe pattern, send me an email with your snail mail address at agency2003 @ yahoo.com. --Amy

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen
19. Csackett/Carolyn
20. Amazingcm/Grace
21. Patti60
22. Marcia_p5
23. Nanajayne

Thanks but I think the stencil I have will come close and would save us both some trouble. My next challenge will come when I try and post a pic. Jayne

I'm in! I have done some embroidery, but am out of practice.

I would like to join. I have done a little embroidery, not much though. I am a little more experienced in cross stitch. This looks cute.
Lynn in MN

This is great, I'm so excited about this! I will be posting our lesson plan soon! --Amy

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen
19. Csackett/Carolyn
20. Amazingcm/Grace
21. Patti60
22. Marcia_p5
23. Nanajayne
24. Dragongoddess
25. Lynn06

Sign me up!!!! I am an avid cross stitch. I am currently working on the skyline of New York with the Twin Towers. I have done embroidery, cross stitch and crewel work for about 35 years. This sounds like a fun project. I have never done redwork. Thanks for teaching the class.

Jill

Sign-ups.
1. Woodsy
2. Dmsgal/Mary in Va
3. Cannahavanna/Rebecca
4. Love2Sew/Jean
5. Cygram/Yvonne
6. True4uca/Trudy
7. Nana24/Sally
8. Bettyatp
9. Crafteedee/Darla

10. Deannabsd/Deanna
11. Cathey6815
12. Mrseldoo/Jen
13. Colleenny/Colleen
14. Kathryni/Kay
15. Grammyp/Beverly
16. Quiltingleelee/Leah
17. Martymo
18. Suellen
19. Csackett/Carolyn
20. Amazingcm/Grace
21. Patti60
22. Marcia_p5
23. Nanajayne
24. Dragongoddess
25. Lynn06
26. Mallaround (Jill)