Longtime visitors to this space need not be told of my love for the traditional form of redwork embroidery. This monochrome stitchery form is seen most prevalently in antique cross stitch samplers made by women of all socioeconomic strata. Historically, the themes of the samplers are also varied, including: family, love, religious faith, and even politics from a female’s perspective albeit couched in the maker’s era of history.
I love to brainstorm simple ideas on paper, research historical and linguistic contexts, and ask friends related pop culture questions. Then I open up the font bibles and just improvise.
I am often asked—generally in agitated ways—about why I stitch modern samplers. These interrogators seem more offended when the samplers are about women or women’s rights.
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My response is always: “Why not?”
I declared this one done just because the corners were all remarkably squared and because I had exhausted all the pseudo-universal entries in this crowd-sourced international compendium. [Seriously, take some time to linger in the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health. This is a virtual cabinet of curiosities.]
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We’ll take a break for this holiday week. Best wishes!
female virtues-ahhhhhhhhhh!
as always, thank you!
Dragon time. hilarious. Love this, C!
Brilliant. That is all.
(and happy thanksgiving!)
Again with the awesomeness, this it great! #sharkweekFTW
love it. you are you and you have a distinct take on things. part of what I love about you. keep on making “offensive” samplers and quilts!
A friend in college used to called it Johnny Cougar time. An extension of “John Cougar Menstrual Cramp.” This is fantastic. I also don’t understand why stitching modern samplers is a problem. Why recreate someone else’s work if you don’t want to? Why stitch someone else’s words?
Learned some new ones…..always enjoy becoming more enlightened. Thanks
Why not indeed? I think it’s so cool what you do with all manners of stitching – redwork, quilting, all of it.
And how appropriate that this particular sampler is done in red. Didn’t they used to use blood in the dyes for redwork at one time in history? I feel like I read that somewhere.
another amazing original stitched work…I also learned a few new phrases…and why not be unique? You have a rare gift with word usage…very creative, very inspiring.
I so enjoy seeing what you come up with next!
I’m 76, and I’ve stitched a lot of samplers, reproduction and otherwise. I can’t imagine anyone questioning for a split second the urge you have to stitch today’s concerns and lives. That’s what the stitchers did 300 years ago and that’s what we need to do today. Go for it!
Stunning, love it!
love it…you make me want to cross stitch real bad xoxo happy thanksgiving!!
Brilliant. Should crafting not evolve like every other aspect of life?
Fantastic!
I LOVE your sampler. Had never heard the expression “shark week” and will adopt it immediately… Thank you!
I’m going to go peruse that museum for a bit. You are always inspiring! Beautiful redwork, and a very entertaining topic!
Personally, I appreciate that you push the envelope. It just opens up more room for the rest of us.
i think this is the best one i’ve seen so far! i really love it!
Lovely. Thanks so much for sharing the whole piece.
I love it! Who publishes that alphabet book you have? I want it!
So awesome!
this is great and i love maryse’s comment about john cougar m. also, happy thanksgiving!!!
have a very happy happy thanksgiving my dear! i am going to be surrounded my all of my family and am so excited for it! xo loveya!
I think “having my euphemism” is my new favorite!
**LOVE**
brilliant! and, happy thanksgiving, c!
fantastic. simply fantastic. I’m still struggling with how to transfer my own cross-stitch ideas to the fabric. scale seems to be the big challenge for me. I tried reading about it but the math involved just gave me a headache. I am amazed at what you can accomplish. Happy Thanksgiving!
that is just fab. Are you going to hang it above your desk at the relevant time??
Scarlet week! Brilliant and beautiful work C.
and then…..I think, why not black and white print? I know it’s called redwork, but still….