What is...
Redwork, Bluework, Blackwork, Sampler,
Penny Rug, Hooked Rug, Applique?  
These mini explanations my help <grin>

Redwork, Bluework and Blackwork
A long time ago, you could purchase muslin "penny squares" at the local dry goods shop.  These squares were stamped with designs for your stitching pleasure.  Little girls would practice their stitches on these muslin squares.  Monochromatic was the color scheme, so the square would be stitched with all red, or all blue or all black thread.  The red thread used was usually dyed with Turkey Red dye and stitched with only that one color of thread.  Washing and drying the stitched fabrics in the sun would not fade the colorfast red thread.  For more information, please visit this interesting and informative website about Redwork History.  

Sampler
A sampler is a stitched design that shows the viewer a "sample" of stitch styles and designs.  You may see samplers with the alphabet, numbers or both.  At some time they were also used as learning tools for young girls to practice and improve their needlework.  There are samplers with animals, people, sayings, flowers and other motifs.  For more information, please visit this interesting and informative website about Sampler HIstory.

Penny Rug or Rugg
Penny rugs are not actual rugs for the floor, but decorative coverings for beds, tables and mantles.  They were even used as wallhangings.  They seemed to have started around the time of the civil war in the United States.  They are made out of felted wool scraps that are appliquéd with a blanket stitch to a wool background.  Some designs feature circles (or pennies).  Coins such as pennies were used as templates for the circle appliqués, thus the name penny rug.

Hooked Rug
This form of rug making utilizes a hook that is used with cut wool strips.  The rug pile is made with hooking wool loops by hand through a base of burlap, linen and other sturdy fabrics.  A wonderful resource for more information is located here - click here.

Appliqué
Applique is when a fabric cutout or shape is decoratively sewn onto another larger piece of fabric.  This can be done by hand or with a sewing or embroidery machine.  You may see examples on quilts, clothing, towels and many other places.  Click here to see some wonderful applique pieces in this gallery. 

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