Customer Reviews

Redwork from The WORKBASKET: 100 Designs for Machine and Hand Embroidery

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this book. Received it this week. I love the designs. It includes a CD so that you can choose hand/machine embroidery. There are a variety of patterns with an updated vintage look if that makes sense.

The first thirty-three pages of this book include very brief descriptions of Redwork and The WORKBASKET Magazine plus the usual discussion of threads and techniques for both machine and hand embroidery. The next section has a dozen projects: two quilts, two totes, pillow case, pillow, apron, banner, towel, Christmas ornaments, a table runner and framed sentiments. The last section is a discussion of the included CD-ROM that contains 100 designs that can be used for hand embroidery and for a number of different machines.

I embroider by hand, so the emphasis on machine embroidery was of little interest to me. Regardless, each project seemed to have some handy little tidbit: Turkish corners, heirloom hemstitching, recycling commercial tote bags. But there were also clunkers that seemed to be included only to cut down on the white space: "Add more squares to make a larger quilt."

I was intrigued by the illustrations of finished projects. I'm not sure the simple outline aspect of redwork design is the best way to use machine embroidery. The thread sinks into the material and so the designs don't stand out the way they do if done by hand.

I was disappointed that there wasn't more history of this embroidery style that was so popular during the early to mid 20th century. I know items with redwork are still readily available at antiques stores and online auctions. I would have loved to have seen pictures of vintage work.

So for hand embrodiery, the designs on the CD-ROM are easy to use but probably available cheaper through other sources. For machine embroidery, outline stitchery doesn't seem an attractive use for an expensive machine. For textile history lovers, the history portion just isn't there. I bought my copy from Amazon so I'm pleased with what I got for the money I spent. If I'd paid the full $32.99 (USD), I think I'd feel cheated.

I would rather have all the Workbasket Magazines through the years, but that isn't to be. I liked the book and enjoyed the reading, the patterns look nice but have not used any yet. Does come w/ a CD to use but I do my embroidery by hand. There are 100 patterns of line drawings to trace. It has instructions on thread, tracing, use (rather hand or machine) plus history of the Workbasket Mag. It would be a good beginner book bec' of the well written instructions.

"Redwork from the WORKBASKET" is am amazing collections of designs and instructions. It is just old-fashioned redwork, but a person can either trace the pattern to be hand sewn, or use the included CD for the designs to be stitched using your embroidery machine. Check the formats to be sure it will work with your home machine, but either way, these are great designs. Try using a variegated red thread for added interest. This is a winner!

Extremely pleased with the designs and ideas that have been digitized for the machine, good book for hand embroiderers too.

This book is an ample gathering of Redwork designs. I like the variety of patterns in many different genres. It works great on my Singer Futura 150! Great book of hand embroidery for beginners to advanced stitchers!

brilliant,lots of patterns in the back,something for every one and very clear instructions.years of red working to do in the future,very pleased

I have several books from this author, and she is always very easy to understand with delightful ideas for projects. Definitely a need for your needlecraft library.

I don't do redwork myself, but this seems to be the perfect gift for someone who does. We'll know for sure after her birthday. Thank You, Amazon!

While this book would be helpful if you wanted vintage looking redwork designs for machine embroidery, and had never done machine embroidery, it is a disappointment as far as hand embroidery. There are no full sized patterns, unless you want tiny ones. My CD arrived broken, so I am returning the book to the Amazon affiliate. It does have good basic machine embroidery directions.