Sears & Roebuck used to offer "penny squares" ~ little pieces of muslin with a printed pattern that were sold for 1 penny each. A very special treat for the ladies of this time period.
For some time, I've dreamed of creating a Redwork Bible Quilt of my very own. I looked and looked for just the right pattern and finally discovered exactly what I needed in a child's Bible story coloring book.
My quilt will have 42 8" blocks ~ each depicting a page in Bible history or a Biblical truth. This weekend I completed my first stitched block. It's my hope to complete at least one block each week ... more would be wonderful ... but realistically I think I can complete at least one. Best of all, my mom will be creating a similar quilt along with me!
Here is my first block:
It is lying on two fabric samples. One is a homespun gingham and the other is a deep crimson cotton print. Each block will eventually be framed in a 1 inch border. Which do you prefer?
If you would like to learn to embroider, I found a wonderful website called Needle'N Thread by Mary Corbet. She has created a free on-line video library of short one-minute tutorials for many common embroidery stitches, including the backstitch which is the only stitch I used in my Redwork block.
Be sure to stop by Leslie of My Country Home to see what other ladies are working on this Wednesday.
Find joy,
Lea
19 comments:
Lea~ Looks like you have a great start on your redwork. I like the deep crimson color. I think it just makes your redwork just stand out!
:)Ginger
Hey sweet lady hope you and your family have been well. I adore the quilt, I'm sure yours will look just as beautiful. Have a God blessed day, RoseMarie
Hey there! So glad you got your comment thingy to work again!
I love your quilt block and the idea of a Bible story quilt. What a wonderful heirloom for your family to cherish!
As for the fabrics, I love them both, but if I have to choose, I go with the deep red. I love gingham, but I think the plainer one will show off your sticheries much better.
Have a great day!
Beautiful! I love love love redwork.
Lea,
What a nice project you are starting! I just love stitching and I love quilts :)
I never understood why redwork was red. Then I just read the other day that it was because red was the first dye fast thread! Strange considering red is one of the biggest issues with bleeding on fabric these days! LOL
Oh, do no worry about your name on the Mr. Linky list. It's totally okay :)
Have a great day!
Leslie
love your art work and thanks for sharing the tutorial site. i will check it out. blessings, karen
Very neat! I am new to your blog and I'm enjoying it! Blessings...
I just love the redwork quilt you are working on. I love both fabrics, but lean towards the homespun because of the "country" look it gives. Can't wait to see more of what you do! blessings, Kathleen
Hi Sweet Friend!
What a beautiful quilt this is going to be! I love the idea of having a Bible quilt to snuggle under. I made one of my sons a quilt a few months ago and wrote (in permanent pigma pen) Bible verses all over the back of it after it was quilted. That is the first quilt where I love the back as much as the front :)
So glad to see the block. It is so cute. I like the first fabric. (darker one)
Forgot to thank you for sharing Needle and Thread. Just added that to my favorites.
Love your first block, Lea! What a great idea to take them from the coloring book. Perfect simple line drawings. I'm no help with the fabrics === I love them both! Whatever you choose, I think it will be wonderful. I think redwork is one of my favorite embroidery things. I love doing it, and love all the vintage things I've seen done that way.
Can't wait to see more of yours when you get it done!
Cora
Hi Lea,
Thanks for visiting my site and commenting. I appreciate your thoughts and they are an encouragement to me.
I love your idea for the redwork quilting blocks and I like the deep crimson one the best. What a neat idea and fun to compare with your mom doing one also.
I have not been to blogland recently because of things that I need to accomplish right now but hope to be able to visit more and get back on track with my own site.
Blessings,
Dianne
I love your redwork. I think I like the first fabric best. I am working on a redwork Sunbonnet Sue quilt. It has blocks January-December. I only have November and December left. I am getting excited to get it done. Your quilt will be beautiful, and what a great idea to use a coloring book. take care. Julie
I think they both look beautiful..but I prefer the gingham one....I just love gingham. But I guess it is whichever look you are going for...I don't think you could go wrong using either one!!! :)
Good luck with it Lea! xoxo
What a family treasure you are creating Lea. I love the check but both are wonderful. I often use coloring books for patterns - must be the preschool teacher in me!
Hi Lea!
Your embroidery is beautiful! It will be a lovely quilt!
The fabrics are both very pretty... the crimson really makes the redwork "pop," but the homespun looks more primitive, and reminds me of your handiwork!
Thanks for stopping by... do go see Fireproof! It was great!
Kim :-)
WOW! Great job!!! I think I like it on the first one! It just pops!!! I want to try this...someday! :)
I Hope it's okay...I'm going to send you an e-mail!
(((HUGS)))
Naomi
Good Morning Lea, Its 7:45 a.m. here and while wiping the pc keyboard off it turned itself on. HOnest! grin. I tried to leave you a comment the other day several times and blogger would not co-operate.
Thanks for giving me grace about chickens! I was glad to read your comment over at my blog referring to my 'chicken' comment here! Relief!
Knee-highs...I love. They are warm and kind of dressy at the same time. I do wear tights now and then too. Especially after shedding about 5 pounds on my new way of living...no sugar-no flour...not 100% of the time but about 85% of the time seems to be making a real difference and no sugar jitters...hurray..hurray!
Yes, I do like the Waltons very much and Andy Griffeth and Laura Ingalls stories. There's something very comforting and timeless about focusing on simple everyday things. Without so much materialism...and where character comes through as victor at the end of the story. Do you like the Avonlea series also? And have you watched the movies 'Girl of the Limberlost' and the Australian version of 'The Yearling' starring Peter Strauss-Seymour Hoffman & Jean Smart? Oh how I love those..=). The Aust. movies have a different format than American tv though and can only be watched on the mini-dvd player. Sigh. Half a loaf is better than none though! I love that movie...the scenery is gorgeous and the actors catch life to perfection.
I'm disappointed about the election but God is still omnipotent...'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'.
I love your redwork. I prefer the deeper rose color background but...they are both lovely. Last year was the first time I ever saw blue-work at a quilt show and was SO impressed with that also. You have a wonderful post here...I love needlework and have (in the past winters) been practicing my bouillion rose stitch..but haven't success yet. I'm going to re-read your post and check out the links later.
Wishing you a joyous day...Maggie
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