Project 6: Ribbon Embroidery

This was a completely new technique of hand sewing and I really enjoyed the learning process for each flower. I made a rose, rose bud, carnations, and a 3rd flower similar to the clematis (although I have more petals).

1. Gathering Supplies
2. Rough Sketch of what I wanted to do
2. Starting the Rose (youtube link that I used is listed below)
3. Center of the Rose – the ribbon is folded and wrapped in several layers around the center fold. This process is repeated several times to achieve the overall layered petal look
4. I secured all the wrapped layers by tacking them together.
5. I left a length of ribbon that was not wrapped or tacked in place around the center, and this extra ribbon was used to add another layer of “petals” around the center rose bud.
6. Putting in a running stitch to create the Carnation
7. Gathered the ribbon by pulling on the basting thread and then tacking the ribbon down to the fabric.
8. I tacked down the ribbon, going in circle around the center. I used about about 8-9 inches of ribbon for the larger carnations.
9. Adding leaves and stem with left or right ribbon stitches and the twisted stem ribbon stitch
10. I used the flower instructions on page 41 in the book and did the purple flowers with a straight stitch. This picture also shows the white fabric pencil marks that I put in place for each flower.
11. Adding in french knots to the center of each flower
12. Creating my rosebud
13. I stitched the bud down to the fabric and then used the extra ribbon that was attached to the rose bud to create more “petals” around the bud in a layered look.
14. Adding more leaves around the flowers.
15. Back of the Embroidery
16. Front of the Ribbon Embroidery

I liked the roses in Ann Cox’s book, but I wanted the rose to have more definition in the center bud. So I used the following link: Ribbon Embroidery Flower for Beginner as background to create the center rose and rosebud. While this video was helpful in demonstrating this type of ribbon rose, I would have preferred the video to have step by step narrated instructions instead of just the text appearing on the screen through out the video.

For the carnations, I used the instructions found in the Beginner’s Guide to Silk Ribbon Embroidery by Ann Cox. I appreciated how detailed and clear she was on each step with pictures and I had no trouble following her instructions. This gathered flower look is very versatile, but I did have to be careful because the silk ribbon is very delicate. Putting in the basting stitch and then tacking it to the fabric did cause some extra stress to the ribbon.

For the leaves and purple flowers, I also used Ann Cox’s instructions for the ribbon stitch. This technique is fairly simple, easy for me to learn, and creates beautiful leaves and flowers.

This was a great beginner project and one that I would do again now that I have more confidence in what I’m doing. For future projects, I would try to keep the back a little neater, this project its a little messy. I tied off all my ribbon using knots and next time I would try to stitch the ribbon ends down under the flowers.