redwork

 quite a few of you last week wrote to ask for more details on the red work embroidery that has held my attention through the short days and long nights of this cold winter.  i thought i'd share with all of you the inspiration behind my latest project (a long completely hand stitched scarf of vintage muslin).  last october, i received a wonderful birthday package from a fellow fabric artist friend, lorri scott of LAS fibers.  lorri knows of my own passion for textiles, for hand stitching, and send a box filled with goodness:  the vintage redwork stitched linen tablecloth i keep on my dining table, another soft vintage cotton white tablecloth for project work, a crisp cellophane packet filled with rolls of my favorite perle cotton #8 in a beautiful deep red, a bundle of new fabric that looks old (printed with what resembles something that has been dipped in tea), and a wonderful book of redwork projects by author and needlework artist kathy schmitz.  i was touched by lorri's generosity, and love the projects that kathy designed for the book.

since i was going to be traveling by plane across the country to teach at French General, i decided to carry something with me for idle hours on the plane.  in typical fashion, i didn't plan ahead, and the night before the trip simply pulled out some vintage thrifted muslin, tore it into the length and width of a long two foot scarf, then packed it along with small embroidery scissors, needle, ample thread, and a wooden embroidery hoop into my old red canvas tote bag.  five hours in an airplane seat next to the window seemed like a gift of time, and i loved quietly working an easy running stitch to hem the length of muslin.  when i saw from the screen map in front of me that we were flying over the four-corners area of new mexico, colorado, arizona and utah, i noted it in the hem with a tiny cross stitch in red.   the grand canyon sprawled below my window as well; with that, i sewed an awkward little dip that to anyone else, would look like a seamstress misstep.
much like my jewelry work, i'm not striving for perfection; i aim for enjoyment and comfort with every dip of the needle, every pull of that red thread.  long winter nights are a luxury to  me, this way; i sit in my easy chair pulled up close to the fire, and have to force myself to put the stitching down when the clock hand moves quickly past 1am.   once the hemming was completed, i worked on filling either end with words and imagery.  my mother drew a bird onto a separate patch of muslin to cover the pathetic one that i had attempted to draw onto the scarf; like a fabric band aid, it has become a lovely focal point, with multiple running kantha stitches in ecru to fasten it securely down.  the quote i drew and stitched below the bird is one of my favorites, from poet t. s. eliot.  and at the opposite end, i've stitched another of my mother's sketches - this time a nest, to which i've added the beginnings of branches and leaves.   and in between the bird and its nest, i've run that wandering needle back and forth, up and down, creating rows of winding, curling vines and fiddleheads and leaves.   every bit of those vines and leaves are placed without the guidance of a drawn image underneath, much like a true vine that decides its own direction.  i love the sense of freedom that this brings - the aimless red threads winding and stretching and twisting into a pattern that will eventually be casually wrapped around my neck and at my throat ... a garden in red, wild and loosely unkempt, much like i can often be.  because there are so many, many little knots on the underside of this piece, i plan to fasten a lining of ruby colored vintage cashmere, cut from a sweater dress i found in a thrift store ten years ago.  it will be removable, thanks to antique silk covered snaps.  at least that is my plan for now.  we'll see.   for those of you who feel like you'd enjoy working on a project of your own in red, you might want to purchase the redwork project book to transfer some of kathy's designs onto fabric for guidance, or perhaps you would enjoy working as i have, quite randomly.  i would suggest that you make the artwork your own original design by adding quotes that you like, by stitching a garden or a house or a winding road, perhaps a row of winter bare branched trees.  everything looks good, to me, in red; but white on white is lovely as well, or black on cream.  i wish there were time to do nothing but this, all winter long; i wish i could do nothing but stitch my quiet winter life away, but work and income call, always.

for reference - the thread i prefer is perle cotton #8, which comes in sweet little rolled balls.  these tend to roll under a chair when dropped, so beware of kittens and dogs who like to chew and eat non edible goods.  i order mine from this seller on etsy.  the muslin, as i mentioned earlier, is vintage and a nice deep cream color; i was fortunate enough to unearth a six yard remnant of it at a local thrift store for all of $4.00, a good buy that made me very happy.  go check out your thrift stores and see if they have remnants of cloth, or big cotton shirts that you could cut up to use for your base.  i found a heavy wool piece, once a u.s. navy blanket, that had been cut into the shape of an ironing board; from this, i've fashioned a lovely little needle book for my son roy's lovely girlfriend.  projects coming up?  i'm excited about a trip i'll be making to vermont next week, where i'll join other instagrammer crafters for a wonderful three day weekend spent learning rug hooking (among other things) from the uber talented charlotte lyons and her equally talented friend meleen.  we'll stay in two side by side cottages and stitch, explore, eat, shop, stitch some more.  a treat for me, indeed.  xo

Comments

[Tina M.]

I love this. Absolutely, deep down to the core of my being...love this. hugs...x

[Suzanne]

A woman after my own heart! I love redwork and your scarf is gorgeous. I, too, have that book, and some of Charlotte's sampler fabric. Love the way you used your own stitching design. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Leslie M]

Oh boy, Nina! I love your red work and explanation of your stitches. It's one of the things I love about slow stitch work. It really does become a journal of sorts. So, so beautiful. Thanks for sharing, and have a great time in Vermont! xo

[Amanda]

I have always been drawn to Kathy Schmitz' designs and your interpretation is lovely.

[Wendy D.]

Loving that nest!!! Such beautiful stitching. . . !
xxoo

[susan]

Now that has given me some ideas to keep my hands and mind busy!

Your work is beautiful as usual Dear Nina. xo

[nancy k]

i love your red work, the randomness of of stitch and knowing.

ah the comforts of hand stitching what wonderful therapist thou art.

xx0x0xx000xx0

[Tina Gilmore]

Beautiful work Nina, very inspiring. I'm attending a creative day in February with and arranged by Viv Sliwka (Hensteeth Art) near my home, there will be six of us and i've been thinking about what to take. This is a superb idea. Thank you. xxx

[Helen Carter]

Hey Nina! I've been doing lots of hand-stitching too. It seems to be what Winter requires this year. Hope this finds you well - helen

[laura]

Nina, this will be my first Real Time comment to you, as I am far away in July 2008 of your blog! I now have a past and present, Nina! I love the timing of this post, as I made two rework pieces for my beloved granddaughter, Pinkatie, and a niece, for Christmas. Maybe I will send you some images to take a peak at. It will be my gift to you, since I have been enjoying the gifts of your photos since before Christmas! I very much enjoyed seeing your piece, and I agree, I wish I could do nothing but stitch the day away! Fondly, Laura

[LorriScott]

I just knew you would like these gifts I sent you and I knew you would create something fabulous. I think it is so dear that your mother has worked on it with you. Love the bird and the whole story you have stitched. xo

[Monica aka The Creative Beast]

What a wonderful idea! I love your hand embroidery SCARF project and your plan to add a CASHMERE backing is the icing on the cake!!! It reminds me of cashmere sweaters I've been collecting to cut up into a new garment but using them to back a hand embroidered scarf just might be the thing. I can't wait to see how your scarf turns out and look forward to seeing images of it draped around you...
I also love the gorgeous needle book you made - it's inspiring me to embellish a needle book I made to keep my own sewing needles. I began some embellishment but it really needs more and the needle book you have shared here looks really lovely, Nina. Thank you for sharing your embroidery projects here - they are just beautiful and so inspiring!

Now, if I can just find my own needle book, packed among my many studio boxes, I will certainly return to some hand sewing and embroidery - heaven knows I have more than enough muslin to work with! Thanks for the jolt of inspiration, Nina!!

[Patricia Eaton]

Nina, now how did you know I was really wanting more info on your wonderfully made red work scarf? This post, with the whole story of the scarf, is so visually inspiring, you will probably be responsible for many new red work creations being created in this very cold winter. Work to warm our hands and our hearts! Thank you for being such an inspiration....and please enjoy your trip to Vermont. I'm sure more inspiration will be coming our way when you return. Travel safe,stay warm and have a great time. Big hugs, pat

[Teresa Raines]

I love this. I've been spending time this winter with needle and thread -- it is calming and relaxing. Please don't leave again for so long. I miss you.

[Jan]

I could read your stories and soak up the pictures for hours on end. Thank you so much.

[Gloria martin]

Red-work always makes my heart skip a beat, and with your unique style added to each stitch.....heaven. I love the bird and the nest your momma contributed to this beautiful work of art, a priceless masterpiece indeed. Xo

[Vickie]

Your talent and creativity are endless and inspiring. It is good to come here and see such beauty, in all things, pictures and words.
Vickie in kc

[laura]

2007. Still tip toeing around.:) Laura

[Jennifer Valentine]

I've been away far too long. and I've arrived to see angel's wings pulled from cold riverbeds as only one as magical as you could do and red, remarkable, beautiful pieces you've made...
thank you for the time you take to share your life with us here.
I can always count on you for unbridled beauty when I deeply need it.

[Greta Young]

Stunning, I so wish I was good at needlework. I am surprised you are allowed scissors on a plane cause we certainly arent!

[Cathy Wegner]

Your stitching in beautiful. I love embroidery and need to get back to it soon! Thanks for sharing.