• Part of a wonderful collection of antique linen redwork covers that were placed on top of bed pillows, but can certainly be framed as works of art.  May have minor uneven tone or corner tiny pin holes, but nothing that distracts. 
• Featuring here a pair with charming mottos.
• First reads "Sweet Lilies Close Their leaves At Night" and second one continues "And Open With the Morning Light."
• Excellent condition, lovely lace trim on all edges. Antique linen color is bright.  
• Please look closely at photos for condition details. 23" square approx.
• Take a look at all of them; happy to combine shipping for extra savings and they coordinate beautifully. 

History of redwork: Redwork became popular in the late 1870s. It took the name from an embroidery thread known as Turkey Red. The manufacturing process for "Turkey red" was complex and a well-kept secret for decades. The complete "recipe" for the original dye is still a mystery. Redwork was extremely popular among the common people because the cotton thread was not only colorfast, but it was less costly than the silk threads commonly used at the time. And the designs were easy to embroider. Redwork began in England at the Royal School of Art Needlework in Kensington where students decided to work on designs simply using the outline stitch embroidery. For this reason, the stitch became known as the Kensington Stitch. All one requires to get started is the Kensington Stitch along with the stem stitch, French knots or colonial knots and back stitch. Although little girls often learned how to embroider in school, they practiced embroidery on "penny squares" provided by their mother. A square of white cotton with a stamped design cost a penny, as did the skein of red floss. Today we simply refer to these penny squares as Redwork. Our fore-mothers used Redwork designs to adorn many items such as, quilts, coverlets, dishtowels, laundry bags, splashers, bureau scarves, pillow covers, mantel covers and other household items.