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So, why all the love and passion of these two really bold, unique colors
that go so beautifully together? The answer is evident when each color is examined
throughout history.
Red is victorious, passionate, and strong. It is the color
of romance for Valentines Day and the festive color of Christmas. It's the color
of blood, which sustains us.
White is innocent and white as snow. It is the color of
weddings in the Western World, and Christening gowns, that bless our entry into
this world. It is clear and uncomplicated, begging to contrast with a dramatic color.
Red and white have been a combination of colors that quiltmakers
and needlework fans have gravitated to for generations.
"Turkey Red," a dye process term, developed in the country
of Turkey. The "Turkey Red" century was 1830-1930. "Turkey Red" was never made in
the U.S., because it was a very complicated process. This red helped make the
Turkish rugs very desirable as well. Barbara Brackman, a quilt historian, said
"Turkey Red" was a 19th century classic! By the 1920's, it was considered "old
fashioned." By 1928, at least 100 synthetic reds were available. These later reds,
while colorfast, had a characteristic orange or "tomato red" color, unlike the bluer,
rich cherry red. In 1925, Sears Roebuck Catalog outlined the "Turkey Reds" esthetic
virtues. They said all women who make patchwork quilts know this to be good cloth.
Some price-motivated manufacturers however misrepresented the red color, and used a
"Congo Red," which faded quickly.
Snowy, white bleached muslin prevailed as cotton fabric
developed in quality. The domestic unbleached muslin was used more for a more
economical purpose.
Red and green quilts dominated the mid 19th Century. The
fugitive greens were very unreliable; therefore leaving the green out of the quilt
became more and more popular.
The "Turkey Red" wore off in time and use, because only the
outer shaft of the thread was dyed. A true test of real "Turkey Red" is to see
those high relief areas worn in an antique quilt.
In 1880, cotton floss became dye fast and what fun developed!
From 1860 through the Depression years, "Penny Squares" were produced to embroider
in red. For one penny, you could purchase an 8-10 inch square of muslin with a design
printed on it to stitch. Some general stores would allow you to choose a design,
and they would put it on your fabric. These blocks were ideal for children to learn
their embroidery skills. The most elaborately designed blocks encouraged redwork
quilts to abound! Stitching all in one color with dye fast results, were a plus,
and thus the popularity began. Lovely household items like pillow shams, splashers,
and towels were great redwork accessories that magazines like "Harper's Bazaar" and
"The Ladies Art Company" offered as patterns.
Red and white quilts present very graphic designs. The most
frequent patterns used were the "Double Wedding Ring," "Irish Chain," "Feathered Star,"
and "Nine Patch." The peek in time for these two color quilts was 1880-1930. In the
mid 1990's, a resurgence of red and white interest spread across the country. After the
blues and mauves of the 1980's, red was welcomed into homes in small doses. Men responded
to it's beauty, for it was a much more masculine demur!
Design Originals and the Schroeder Publishing were some
of the first publishers to capitalize on this resurgence. "Willa Bee" Pattern Company
was the pioneer designer to reproduce those early designs, and the embroidery enthusiasts
responded. "Baby Boomers" who did not learn to embroidery as a child, discovered
they could accomplish this affordable craft and they loved it.
In 1999, a Red and White Quilt Show was held in St. Charles,
Missouri. It's displays, not only featured quilts, but red and white handkerchiefs,
feedsacks, linens, buttons, dolls, aprons and kitchen ware. Red and White Clubs
now are a regular activity at many Quilt Shops across the country. The story of
'Red and White" continued into the 21st Century. In December of 2002, a Red and White
Quilt exhibit at the prestigious American Quilting Society Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.
Not all has been said, about the color of RED
It is a beautiful sight, especially with WHITE!
©2003 Ann Watkins Hazelwood
3patches@prodigy.net
www.patches3.com
www.thequiltercommunity.com
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