I love redwork embroidery and am starting to try my hand at it. I just have a few questions. What do you use to transfer patterns onto your fabric? I bought a heat transfer pencil and it doesn't work well. The design barely showed up on my fabric (which is an old flour/feed sack). I also bought some wax free tracing paper and it worked pretty well as long as I used a lot of pressure. I was just wondering what everyone else uses and if anyone has any pointers. Also, what kind of stitch do you use? A back stitch or outline stitch? Thanks a bunch!
Laura, most of what I have done was heat transfer (already printed and you just iron them on) but I have also used a red pigma pen to trace the pattern on the fabric. That way the pen will blend into the red floss and you won't be able to see the lines when you are done.
You will use a "stem" or "outline" stitch and I use DMC #304 on mine. Have fun! Cindy
sometimes I just trace the design..if you can't see it well it helps to darken the lines on the design...I don't have a light table but I hear they are really helpful
I use a sunny window and one of those washable blue ink pens from the fabric store. Tape your pattern onto the glass and tape the light colored fabric over it. Then, trace. When you are done stitching, you can wet the cloth with a damp towel and out it goes.
I ahve also used the heat transfer pen. It is OK, better for dark fabric like denim.
I tend to do mostly backstitch as I like the primitve look. The stem stitch is so pretty on more detailed work like children and flowers.
I really want to try my hand at "red work". I know there are specific patterns for red work...but do/can you use just an embroidery pattern with the red thread? Or is that not acceptable..? What do you gals use and where do you get your patterns? Jan
Thanks for the advice! I almost finished stitching a really cute bird just for practice. His head turned out a little oblong because my markings started fading! Next time I'll trace over with marker. I used the outline/seed stitch for most of it. It's the first time I've used anything other than a back stitch and I do need a little more practice! My lazy daisies got a little too lazy! lol! Jan, I don't think there are patterns that aren't acceptable. Even coloring book images would work. There are some nice patterns at needlecrafter.com or just do a search for redwork or embroidery and you're sure to find some nice patterns for free!
Thanks Laura~ I've gone to a couple red work web sites and they do a "pattern of the month" and you have to subscribe. I dont really want to do that~ I will check out the page you suggested. Jan
Redwork
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 5:50:49 PM
