Instructions for Ribbon Embroidery Projects
Create 3-dimensional floral patterns with silk ribbon embroidery (SRE). This art form is made with tools such as chenille needles, which have a sharp point and a large eye to accommodate the width of the silk ribbon. Crewel needles are used for SRE embroidery thread. Although most textiles work well with SRE, it is important to work with a fabric that is able to support the ribbon width passing through the textile. The straight stich, ribbon stitch and lazy daisy stitch are basic SRE stitches used to create several types of patterns.
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Things You'll Need
- Embroidery frame
- Plastic flexi frame (optional)
- Wooden square or rectangle frame (optional)
- Silk pins
- Fabric scraps
- Silk ribbon (your choice)
- Chenille needle
- Fabric (your choice; minimum ½ yard)
- 13mm width silk ribbon
- Fabric scissors
- Chenille needle: size 13
- Cotton-tip swab (optional)
- Crewel needle (size 8)
- SRE embroidery thread
Instructions
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Preparing for SRE
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1
Hoop your fabric onto your embroidery frame making sure the textile is taut. Use a plastic flexi frame for small silk embroideries. Adjustable wooden square or rectangular frames are ideal for large silk ribbon embroideries. However, you will need to secure the fabric with silk pins and pad around the frame with strips of fabric scraps to avoid distorting or stretching the fabric.
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2
Tie a loose knot at the end of the silk ribbon. Push the knot towards the end of the ribbon with your fingers .
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3
Insert the opposite end of the ribbon through the chenille needle’s eye. Keep in mind that your ribbon width will determine the size of your needle. For example, for 2 millimeter (mm) ribbon use a size 24 needle; for 4 mm and 7 mm ribbon, use a size 18 needle; and for 13 mm and 32 mm ribbon, use a size 13 needle.
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4
Pass the ribbon through the back towards the front of the fabric, such as a linen, cotton, silk, wool or calico. This is your ribbon’s entry point.
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5
Pull the ribbon until the knot is at the back of the fabric. This is referred to as anchoring the ribbon. Cut away the end of the knotted ribbon.
Straight Stitching a Tropaeolum Flower
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6
Cut 12 inches of a 13 mm silk ribbon with your fabric scissors. It is best to cut the ribbon on the bias to avoid fraying.
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7
Fold the ribbon lengthwise. Although this is optional, folding wide ribbon will make it pass through the fabric more easily.
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8
Thread your size 13 chenille needle with the folded ribbon. Anchor it to the fabric.
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9
Open the folded lengthwise ribbon slightly to resemble an inverted “v” shape.
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10
Pass the ribbon through the fabric from front to back approximately 1 inch from the entry point. This is referred to as a straight stitch. The 1-inch distance is referred to as the stitch length. This is the flower’s first petal. For larger or smaller flowers, alter the stitch length.
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11
Shape the petal with the eye-end of a second needle or a cotton-tip swab by arching the ribbon at the center. The more you pull the ribbon from the back, the flatter the petal will appear. The less you pull, the more full the petal will appear.
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12
Make a knot at the back and push it gently towards the fabric. Cut away the excess ribbon to complete the first petal.
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13
Space your second petal prior to passing the ribbon from back to front. Repeat these steps until all petals are complete.
Creating the SRE Flower Stamen
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14
Thread your size 8 crewel needle with a contrasting SRE embroidery thread for the flower’s stamen.
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15
Pass the needle through the center of the flower from back to front, leaving a 1 1/2-inch tail. This is the thread’s entry point.
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16
Pass the needle from front to back; however, you will be passing it through the entry point to form a loop.
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17
Knot the loop at the back of the fabric and cut away the excess thread.
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18
Repeat these steps three more times in close proximity to the first loop.
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19
Cut open the top of the loop. Your stamen will appear fringe-like at the center of the SRE tropaeolum flower.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Add depth to your silk ribbon embroidery by brushing diluted silk paint in a complementary color in the center of your silk flowers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit chinese purse image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com
