Seeing Red. Darning, Dabbling, Doodling.

     Hi I've been darning,dabbling and doodling and  seeing red sometimes.  I've been asked to give a lesson in DUP, a group I belong to that studies the lives and history of the Utah Pioneers. It is the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Well the lesson this time is titled "Handwork of the Pioneer Women."  These pioneer women left more prosperous circumstances to travel to a barren and dusty desert place. They had to leave lots of their prized possessions behind to lighten the load.  At first they had to just survive and set up homes for their families, but as time went on they longed to brighten their lives and the lives of those around them with something beautiful.  One of the handiwork items that became popular was something called red work.

Why did they call it redwork? It was called redwork because it was red, of course. They wanted thread that would hold it's color and not fade or bleed onto the cloth. Turkey Red was one of those colors that could do that, and the only color they could get. The thread was called Turkey Red because it came from Turkey.  They worked in simple outline stitches in patterns they drew themselves on muslin cloth, aprons, dish towels, curtains, napkins etc. They were simple outlines to use less thread. It was easy to learn because it is done in a simple running stitch or stem stitch or split stitch. 
     I went online and looked up redwork and found a few examples and tried some out.  Here are a few of my examples. Remember, I'm rusty and a beginner, so

don't look too closely.

      On the edge of the first example I did s lacework called  Mediterranean knotted lace. I had the most fun doing this. I'm always amazed at how something so beautiful can be made with one simple knot.

The hardest part of this work is getting the loops the same size.  I've put a picture of the book I'm trying to learn from. It is a great book if you are interested.

       Much of this handiwork was done by these early pioneers. Some of the things listed in the lesson are bobbin lace, crochet, embroidery, tatting, knitting, spinning, weaving etc. The list goes on. I am happy to say that at least where I live, these skills are still being practiced and learned. I belong to a lacer's group who still practice many of these skills. If you don't know much about these projects and have an interest, look them up and you'll  also be amazed at what can be done with a bit of thread.

       Below is a beaded necklace I started. My husband thinks I should leave it as is. I'm not sure yet.  

                                      

   Next is a bracelet I started the same as the necklace, but I doodled around a bit with it. I did some needle work and knotting around it with a bit of needle lace on some of the beads. Two of the large beads are quite beautiful. The picture does not do them justice. They are called dragon blood and are like agate with crack like veins going through.  The others are nice too, made of goldstone.   

     Then again, as in the last post, a couple of little miser pouches or purses will soon to be off to the granddaughter's.

I have a few more ideas for these I still want to try. I just did a few modifications on the pattern I used last time. I used a smaller hook and came up with some different styles.

 

     Last but not least, I started a necklace, but so far just have the base of it done.  I plan on doing some knotting on top and maybe more bead work. 
     I found through this experience I have a perfectionist side and want to things to be flawless at my first try. That is not very realistic, so I decided to show my beginner side and let you know it is okay to make mistakes. It is all part of the learning process. I'm glad to know I  can still learn new things. I hope to make into skills so I can inspire others to try.  We live in such a mechanized world. I like to get back to basics and use my hands. My dad used to say "Fingers where made before forks." That saying doesn't really apply, but I hope you catch my drift. Machine is not always better. Somehow using your hands is relaxing if you can let go and forget the mistakes.  There seems to be in all of us a desire to create. I hope others will take the plunge and try something new.  Who knows. You just might find a passion of yours waiting to be discovered.