What Is Redwork Embroidery?Redwork

If you are new to machine embroidery, you may come across designs labeled Redwork or Blackwork. These designs usually have one thing in common: they use simple lines and outlines instead of large areas filled with stitches. That gives them a light, hand-drawn look and makes them very different from a heavily filled embroidery design.

Redwork pillowTeapot quiltRooster runner

Traditional redwork was stitched with red thread on white or light-colored fabric. Today, machine embroidery redwork designs can be stitched in any color you like, but the name still describes that simple outline style. EmbroideryDesigns.com has redwork designs ranging from flowers and animals to holiday designs, borders, and decorative motifs. Examples include Redwork Elephant & Butterflies, Butterfly Redwork Decor, Redwork Roses, Redwork Snowman Hearts, and Redwork Umbrella Girl.

You may also see similar outline-style machine embroidery called Blackwork. Blackwork is traditionally stitched in black thread, while redwork is traditionally red. For a beginner, the easiest way to think about them is: Redwork = outline-style embroidery traditionally stitched in red. Blackwork = outline-style embroidery traditionally stitched in black. You are not limited to those colors. You can choose thread that works with your project.

Redwork can be a great choice when you are learning because many designs:

• Use fewer thread colors
• Have fewer color changes
• Stitch faster than heavily filled designs
• Have a light, simple appearance
• Work well on many different projects

That doesn't mean every redwork design is easy, but simple one-color designs can be a comfortable place to start.

Redwork looks especially nice on projects where you want the embroidery to feel simple and decorative.

• Kitchen towels
• Quilt blocks
• Pillows
• Tote bags
• Table runners
• Napkins
• Wall hangings

EmbroideryDesigns.com also has redwork designs specifically suited to quilt blocks, borders, applique projects, sashing, and other decorative projects.

For a basic redwork project, you'll usually need:

• Your embroidery machine
• A redwork embroidery design
• Embroidery thread
• Fabric
• Stabilizer
• An embroidery hoop

Because redwork designs are often lighter than dense fill designs, they can feel less intimidating for a first project. You still need stabilizer, though. Even a simple outline design needs the fabric to stay supported while the machine stitches.

No. Even though it is called redwork, you can stitch the design in almost any color you like.

• Traditional red
• Black
• Navy
• Green
• Brown
• A color that matches your project

Changing the thread color does not change the embroidery file itself.

When trying redwork for the first time, choose a design with:

• One thread color
• A simple outline
• A size that fits comfortably in your hoop
• Not too many tiny details

EmbroideryDesigns.com also has free redwork embroidery designs, which can be a nice way to practice the style before moving on to larger projects.

Think of redwork like this: It's embroidery that looks more like a drawing made with thread than a picture filled completely with stitches. Traditionally it is stitched in red, while similar blackwork designs are traditionally stitched in black. If you are looking for a simple first embroidery project, a small redwork design is a great place to start.