Silk Ribbon Embroidery Tutorial Archive

Archive of Silk Ribbon Embroidery Tutorials
Tutorials are Video unless otherwise stated
Basic Stitches

1. Getting Started in Silk Ribbon Embroidery (Includes How to Iron, Thread Needle, Knot/No Knot)
2. Straight Stitch/Padded Straight Stitch (Includes Piercing the Tail)
3. Ribbon Stitch/Padded Ribbon Stitch (Photo Tutorial Ribbon Stitch)
4. Colonial Knot (Photo Tutorial Colonial Knot)
5. French Knot
6. Lazy Daisy/Bullion Tipped Lazy Daisy
7. Spiderweb Rose
8. How to pull the Ribbon Photo Tutorial

Combination Stitches

1. Sweetheart Rose
2. Loop Flower*Video Coming Soon*
3. French Knot Loop Flower
4. Loop/Knot Flower (loop with a knot at the end)*Video Coming Soon*

Ribbon Stitch, Padded Ribbon Stitch Video Tutorial (AKA Japanese Ribbon Stitch)

Here is a video showing how to do the Ribbon Stitch and Padded Ribbon Stitch in silk ribbon embroidery. This stitch is great for leaves or flowers!
Happy Stitching!
You can see the video on YouTube here:
Ribbon Stitch, Padded Ribbon Stitch in Ribbon Embroidery

Harvest Challenge: Pieced Block

Here is my pieced block for the challenge! 22 pieces of fabric in a 15 inch block!!! You can click on the photos to see them closer. I used the center rose print as my inspiration for the block and added some green gold and pink fabrics from my stash. In the lower right is a vintage hankie with a crochet trim.

In this photo I put a quarter on the block so you can kind of see the scale of the block it is HUGE for me! I usually only go a max of 10 inches for a block.

In this photo I numbered the challenge fabrics, the requirement was to use at least 6 of the fabrics. I also had to use the Trim that was included...now I wouldn't choose this trim especially for the look I'm going for in this block but I had to use a piece of it and felt that the place I put it would be the best place for it. The challenge will be making it work in this block.
Now I'm ready to start embellishment. I'm going to be trying to use a balance of my tried and true techniques and also new ones I've not tried before. My inspiration for this block is my garden, since we live in a mild climate the normal "harvest" season for us is actually the time our garden is the most lush and full with all the vines everywhere at their peak and the roses giving a final glorious push before winter. We don't get a normal "Fall" and kinda just go from late Summer to Winter! We love that, so that is what I'll be doing on this block, creating a full blast at it's peak garden.

Straight Stitch, Padded Straight Stitch, and Piercing the Tail Video Tutorial for Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Here is a video that shows how to do to Straight Stitch, Padded Straight Stitch and how to Pierce the Tails instead of using a knot. I explain the best way to pull the ribbon as you work the stitch as well for easier manipulation of the stitch.
Happy Stitching!
You can see the video on YouTube here:
Straight Stitch, Padded Straight Stitch, Piercing the Tail

Harvest Challenge: Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek of my mess while I'm working on my block!!! I've just finished the piecing after 4 straight and tiring hours yesterday and 2 this morning, now I just need to put in the basting on the edges of my block and I'll be all set to embellish!
Since this is the biggest block I've ever made at 15 inches square (contest requirement) it truly was a challenge for me!!! Piecing a block isn't a cake walk!!! LOL It takes a lot of thinking things through and pre-planning and readjusting as you piece (at least for me anyway), I also had to fit in at least 6 of the 10 challenge fabrics and use some of the trim that was included!

If you click on this photo you can see a little sneak peek of the block. I'll photo and blog the whole block after I finish basting.

Harvest Challenge: The Beginning

I signed up to do the Harvest Challenge that Carolyn Cibik is holding at EveningStarDesigns and my package arrived!!! Lookie, lookie at all the goodies!!! I'm so excited because I love the colors it looks SO "garden" to me! I'll be using my garden as my inspiration for this block! I'm going to look over the rules closer and start dreaming up ideas and then I'll start pulling fabrics from my stash to add to these and get to embellishing! The thing is that when I enter a contest I want to WIN!!! I'll be a good sport of coarse if I do not win, but I'm going to do my best to have the best block entered!!! LOL The prize for winning is a $75 gift certificate for EveningStarDesigns!!! The deadline will be October 6th 2008! I'm sure I will need all the time alloted to get this baby done since the size will need to be at least 200 square inches!

Getting Started in Silk Ribbon Embroidery Video Tutorials

This first video shows how to iron silk ribbon to prepare it for embroidering.


This video shows how to securely thread the needle in silk ribbon embroidery.


In this video I show how to do the typical soft knot commonly used in silk ribbon embroidery, I do not care to use it but some embroiderers do. If I use a knot I use a quilters knot which I also show in this video. I am not suggesting that any of these methods is the only way to secure your work and most silk ribbon embroiderers do not use either knot but instead pierce the tails or come back with another needle and thread and secure the tails, both of which give a more smooth result to your work. Please use the method that you prefer for the result you wish to achieve.
Happy Stitching!
You can also see these videos on YouTube:
How to Iron Silk Ribbon
How to Thread the Needle
Soft Knot, Quilters Knot, or No Knot

Spring Challenge Block Framed!

Well my Spring Challenge Block is finally framed and hung on the wall!!!!!!!!
These photos aren't the best, but it is so hard to photo with the glass reflecting everything! So the photos are taken at an angle. If you want to see the matting or the block itself and all the progress and work I put into it you can Click Here to see the whole history of the block!
I'm so thrilled to have it displayed now! It just sparkles!

Dreams of Spring RR: My block home!!!

Well my Dreams of Spring block is finally home!!! This is the before photo of the block I pieced and the embroidery I had already added! And now for the block after the RR! I only have a few finishing touches that I will be adding before it is totally complete!

When I saw the block upon it's return I just knew it was going to be a purse! So after I add a few finishing touches I'll be sewing it into a purse!
You can click on any of the photos to see them larger.
Click Here to see all the work I did on the other ladies blocks in the RR!

And now for a closer look at some of the details!

Tea & Tatting Teddy Bear

This Teddy Bear is for a lady who's birthday is soon and I wanted to do something special. Well she just adores teddy bears and so I decided to make her a special one! I started with a basic premade teddy ripped off the original bow and tied this luxurious one on.

Then I added a bit of my tatting and a cameo button to the middle of the bow, hand sewing them into place!

I also added a vintage metal teacup and saucer finding/charm and put a rosette in the cup and attached it by hand sewing it to her paw! The cup kept dipping so I sewed some beads underneath the cup (you cannot see them they are hidden in the fur under the cup) to help it be propped up and the tea won't spill out.

Then for a little hat I used my favorite vintage wedding lace and attached feathers to the lace and hand sewed it all on through the beads on the lace.

Then as I was looking through my stash I saw my UFO (UnFinished Object), that I was working on Here, and thought it the perfect lace collar for Miss Teddy! I only had to finish it up with a ring and a couple of small chains on the last repeat. I just took the thread that matched her fur and threaded it through the middle picots and then tied it around her neck.

The Block and Scallop edging was from a Workbasket pattern. Isn't it the perfect touch as a collar?

I just love how the feathers sweep back!

Isn't she adorable? All decked out ready for tea time!

Shirt Collar Edging

I got this pretty shirt at WalMart and figured I'd add a little edging to the front of the collar. I'm not going to do the whole way around because it would just be covered by my hair anyway!

This top photo shows the color of the shirt best, and the photos below show the tatting color the best. I tatted this Hen & Chicks edging using Olympus size 40 in variegated purples. I did 3 and a half repeats for each side and then hand sewed them by the picots using the blind stitch.

I know this photo makes it look like the tatting is wonky, but trust me it's not and it just looks it from the way it's draping in the photo.
And here is myself in my tatted shirt! I love it!

Six Unimportant Things About Me

I've been tagged by TattingChic to share 6 unimportant things about myself! Since I've not done a tag in a while I figured it would be fun to do this one!

Here are the rules (only if you choose to participate, no obligation):

1. Link back to the person that tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share 6 unimportant things about yourself.

4. Tag 4 people at the end of your entry.

1. Recently I tried a new Ice Cream that I just absolutely LOVE! It's Haagen Dazs Vanilla Honey Bee. Bee sure to check out the Flavor Finder at the bottom of the page to see where you can buy some! It's limited edition and when you buy some you help fund research to help save the Honey Bee's. It reminds me of my Dad's homemade ice cream because he always uses honey to sweeten instead of sugar! Also don't forget to visit the awesome site HelpTheHoneyBees.com!
2. I love lace, lace, lace! The more the better, just can't get enough lace!
3. My favorite bird is the Hummingbird.
   
4. My favorite number is 4 and has been since I was a little girl.
5. We just recently bought a swing to sit outside in the garden in more comfort. We've wanted one for years but just never did it till now, and we are so glad we got it!
6. I love to laugh and be silly!
   

Well there they are, six not very important things...well except saving the Honey Bee's! LOL Here is the 4 bloggers I'm tagging (no obligation to participate):
Wendy
Lillian
Kathy
My 1st Bambina

Cream on Cream RR: Tea Cozy Home!

Here is my Tea Cozy block safely home from the Cream on Cream RR! Here is a photo of the block before it was sent out! Click Here to see all the work I've done in the RR! You can click on the photos to get a closer look at them.
I'm now going to put some finishing touches on the block and sew it into a Tea Cozy!!!

Mail Call!!! Sweet Surprises!

I had asked TattingChic for some pattern help on a pattern that was in a foreign language and she printed out the photo and highlighted the 2 shuttles for me making it really clear for me! Thank you so much for doing that TattingChic! You can click on the photo to see it larger and read the instructions for This Pattern. THEN she also added in some tatting bits she had thinking that it was no big deal and I might be able to use them in my crazy quilting!!! No big deal?!? HA! I LOVE to get tatting bits!!! I always cherish them and save them as precious little treasures to use in my CQ! Thank you TattingChic I love them and I'll think of you whenever I use them!

Also I've gotten an Etsy order from My 1st Bambina's Esty Shop, I ordered some vintage patterns from her! My very first vintage patterns!!!!!! Love them!!! I even love the little apron I'll embroider that and I want to try wearing it...my first apron too! LOL The fabric seems like it needs to be washed first but I'm wondering if I do that will the stamped pattern come off?
ALSO she added in a little giftie that was such an unexpected surprise and so sweet it brought tears to my eyes! She gave me some little sew-ons and two "tea" themed specialty cards to use and I love them! Thank you My 1st Bambina!!!

Puppy Onesie

Since I also have a 1 year b-day for a little boy named Micah coming up this weekend I started on a onesie with a vintage puppy pattern ironed on. I added a blue star button on and little black seed beads for the eyes! All I have left is to finish up the puppy and the grass.
You can find the puppy pattern on Needlecrafter.com in the Pattern Library. I love this little puppy particularly because it looks like my little Madie!

Tatting Embellished Baby Gifts

Here is a gift set that I've embellished for still to be born Baby Hannah who's mother loves chocolate brown and pink!

I took a little 3-6 mo. tank and added a brown and pink Butterfly Heart to it.

I also took a soft white teddy bear and added a brown and pink flower with a pink pearl in the center!

I think Baby Hannah will look adorable! I used Rubi Thread for this set.

I also added some tatting on a soft and sweet teddy bear blanket for newly born Baby Truth. I got the "T" pattern from an antique booklet but I'm a little concerned that it might look too much like a "J". Can you all tell it's a "T"? I also added a simple ring and thread collar for the Teddy.

Here is the little set I put together with the embellished blanket and little teddy bear, since it's for a boy I didn't want to make the little teddy frilly so I left him as is. I used size 10 DMC Cebelia thread in blue.