Redwork is a fun and easy embroidery style, perfect for beginning sewists.
One color of thread and only a few stitches are used to outline clever yet simple designs.
If you're new to redwork, here are some tips to get you started off right.
Supplies

1. 12 wt cotton thread.
   You only need to use one strand for working on the design.
   Though traditionally redwork was done all in red colored thread, feel free to use other shades of floss such as blue, purple or green.
   
2. Embroidery needles.
   You want a needle with an eye large enough for multiple strands of thread, and a sharp point in size 10 or 11.
   It's a lot easier to thread these needles if you use an inexpensive wire needle threader.
   
3. A non-slip embroidery hoop is highly recommended.
   
4. A pattern pre-printed on cotton fabric will get you going right away.
   There are many to choose from, and often come in collections of seven or eight similar designs.
   Great for using on a set of tea towels or as blocks for a wall hanging quilt.
   If you want to get really authentic, soak your fabric in strong tea or coffee to give in an aged and distressed look.
   Just make sure it's completely dry before you begin embroidering.
   

Redwork Stitches There are five basic stitches used in redwork, and each one is easy to do.

1. The Running Stitch is a simple in-and-out stitch, leaving even spacing between each stitch.
   This is similar to a broken white line on a road.
   
2. The Backstitch is, as the name suggests, a series of stitches where the needle is brought up ahead of the last stitch and then put back down through the hole made by the previous stitch.
   
3. The Stem or Outline Stitch is worked from left to right making small even stitches one next to the other across the line of the design.
   
4. The Kensington or Split Stitch works like the backstitch except you come up in the middle of the previous stitch splitting it.
   It resembles a chain when finished.
   
5. The French Knot is used for adding details like eyes, seeds on strawberries or other small round accents.
   It's done by twisting the needle through the thread and then insert it close to where the thread first emerged.
   

Redwork embroidery can be framed as individual pieces of art, or combine with other redwork blocks and used for a charming vintage quilt or wall hanging.
The squares work great as pockets for children's clothing or blocks for aprons, dishtowels or pillows.
They also make attractive embellishments to scrapbooks.
It's never been easier to create handmade treasures that will be loved and passed down for generations to come.