Redwork question
 

This is my first time doing redwork though I have done little bits of hand embroidery here and there in the past before. My question is this, the pattern calls for Pellon fusible (very light weight) but doesn't say which one. Are they talking about Wonder Under? I've used Wonder Under before.

I have HeatnBond Lite Iron on adhesive by Therm O Web . It was given to me and I've never used it but from the directions it sounds like it might work. I don't have much extra fabric so before I iron anything on to it I would really like to make sure I'm going to be able to hand stitch through it.

Any help would be truly appreciated!! Kelly:)

This isn't an exact answer to your question, but I recently embroidered a Halloween sampler. The pattern had you put a layer of muslin, cut same size, behind the piece as it was worked. It helps to hide thread tails and traveling thread when the piece is completed. It turned out very nicely.
I did baste the 2 pieces through the center and around the outside. You could baste more if the piece is very large.
kathyd

You can use a really this batting instead of the fusible pellon. Like Kathyd I basted it to the embroidery fabric.

Are you to use the fusible BEFORE the stitching? I usually add the fusible when the stitching is done. Unless, it's used for a stabilizer while you are stitching? Then use the lightest weight, I would think.

I just finished a redwork top that measured about 48 x 48 and I, like kathyd, used muslin to back the blocks. I basted around the redwork and the edges to keep it smooth. A local quilt shop has a material they sell for backing redwork although I don't recall what the name is but it feels like flannel. The lady in the shop said I could use flannel instead. However, since muslin was less expensive I chose that. I'm not an expert in redwork, but it seems to me that any fusible no matter what weight would make it stiff and make the needle sticky. The whole idea is to use something to hide traveling threads and knots, which according to the redwork police you aren't suppose to make knots, but I haven't figured out how to keep the thread from coming loose if I don't make a knot -- so I make knots. If it were me, I would find some inexpensive muslin the same color as your background fabric instead of any fusible product.

Some redwork patterns do recommend a fusible interfacing as a stabilizer. You might want to buy a little and try it out on a piece of scrap fabric to see how you like the feel. I am experimenting, myself. Go to the Pellon bolts at Joann's or wherever. Look for a lightweight woven interfacing without a lot of the glue dots on the back...the very lightest you can find. I found some Face-it Soft Fusible by Sew Lazy that I'm going to try at a LQS. You can also try the muslin idea or a thin flannel.

It doesn't make your needle sticky at all but it does make your fabric feel kind of rubbery, which only makes sense since you are ironing plastic to it, I suppose. Some people swear by using it and some don't care for it. I'd love to know what the flannel like material is that the LQS recommends.

Are you doing hand embroidery?

I am doing my first Redwork hand embroidery. How I wish I had read this before starting. I did not know about backing my fabric. I have worked so hard so that no threads would show. With a backing fabric, the embroidery would have been so much easier. Thanks!