Rosie deLeon-McCrady
Owner, Redwork plus™/Scarlet Today™

Redwork plus™/Scarlet Today™, a Division of McCrady Enterprises specializes in Redwork designs, (okay, some are in color), fine English embroidery needles, Scarlet Today 2.5 sharp scissors and the line of Presencia Finca Perle Cotton (embroidery thread). We are the inventor of The String Thing®. We increased the number of embroidery patterns to include not only the whimsical designs currently available, but also a group of vintage patterns taken from our extensive collection of our favorite antique needle art quilts. In 2016, I purchased Quilting Bee Designs by Cathy Parker. I had been a fan of her designs since 2001 when I started a Redwork Club.

As I look back on my years, it seems I was always destined to end up with a needle and a thread in my hands. Whether it be embroidery, quilting, or simply refastening a button to an old shirt, as soon as my fingers stick that piece of thread in the fabric and pull it through, I suddenly feel at home. As a young girl, my mother took the time to instill in me the necessary values that would carry me through womanhood. There were the timeless baking lessons where much of the batter seemed to make its way into our mouths before making it into the pan. There were the numerous lectures on the importance of doing well in school which, of course, I always paid the utmost attention. However, it was the time I spent with her learning how to embroider that I remember so vividly. Embroidery not only became an activity that I could do with my mother, but also an outlet for a young girl to enhance her creativity. My mother’s lessons paid off, and soon, much to my mother’s delight and sometimes to her dismay, embroidery started popping up on our pillow cases, dresser scarves, and tablecloths at our house. I was hooked.

My introduction to quilting did not come until years later when, fate in the form of my future husband, Phil McCrady, introduced me to his mother, Kathleen McCrady. Mrs. McCrady, renowned in the industry for her vast knowledge and expertise in the history of quilts and textiles, helped me fill a void that had been missing for some time. I had recently learned, right before the encounter, that my maternal grandmother quilted, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. Mrs. McCrady graciously taught me how to hand piece and hand quilt. It is because of her kindness and my husband’s encouragement and support that I have been quilting my way to happiness for over 30 years. When I discovered she also had a passion for Redwork, I was in heaven. I have fond memories of our trips together searching for Redwork antique quilts to add to our collections.

I was fortunate to be asked to appear on “The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I designed a redbird pattern as a free download during the airing of my show. If you are a subscribed member or want to become a subscriber to “ The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims click HERE. You can watch my show #1509. They have a new website and a category labeled Embriodery. You might find some inspiration.

This pattern is available as a pre-printed version on 100% cotton fabric HERE.

In an effort to spread the art of quilt making and embroidery, and yes I do feel it is an art, in 2001, I started teaching classes throughout Texas and New Mexico. With time, I started being approached to judge quilt shows. These interactions with my students and with quilting contestants combined with my five years experience at a retail quilt shop, offered me much insight to the needs of my future Redwork customers. I believe in putting excellent tools in the hands of every stitcher. If you have the right tools, you will enjoy the craft, and thus, you accomplish more.  My hope is to have my unique line of products become an integral part of the industry that I have come to love and it is now my second career.

Teresa (Tari) Weaver
Photographer, Graphic Designer

Redwork plus™/Scarlet Today™ contracts with Tari Weaver for all photography and some graphic designs. We are lucky to work with such a knowledgeable and talented individual. She believes in doing things right the first time. Tari Weaver has loved photography and the photography of quilts and other forms of needle art for as long as she can remember. She just loves to admire quilts. A member of the Austin Area Quilt Guild, she has been the archivist slide photographer for the biennial quilt shows since 1990. She worked as a cartographer for 17 years, drawing maps and other forms of geologic drafting, for two state geological surveys. The digital transition of the 1990's moved her from hand scribing on a light table, darkroom developing and negative peels into the digital world of PhotoShop, FreeHand, Illustrator, Microsoft Word and Quark. I appreciate her experience in all facets of hand drafting, computer drafting and photography. She is an important and vital asset to all aspects of McCrady Enterprises' operation.