How to Quilt With Ribbon Applique

Ribbons can be used to create appliqued flowers.

Ribbon applique is accomplished using various quilting methods. One type of ribbon applique is an old style of quilting still used today in Baltimore Quilts. The ribbons are cotton fabric cut into ribbon shapes and appliqued onto the quilt borders and body of the quilt top. Sometimes the fabric is cut into shapes to look like a tied bow around a bouquet of flowers or ribbon rippling around the border of the quilt. Another type of ribbon applique is the use of ribbon to form flowers and other shapes. The ribbon is stitched directly onto the quilt top by hand or machine. A third ribbon applique for quilting is hot ribbon applique, in which the ribbon is backed with a heat-bond product. The ribbon is ironed onto the quilt top, covering the edges of applique designs without sewing. This iron-on ribbon typically has a satin finish and adds an artistic sheen to the edges of the applique and a lovely dimension to a quilt top.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt top or quilt blocks
• Ribbon
• Fabric
• Hot ribbon tape
• Sewing machine or hand stitch needles
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

Appliqued Cotton Ribbon

1. Cut out cotton strips using a pattern or a design of your own. The applique can be of one color, or a light shade can be used to represent the top of the ribbon and a dark shade of the same color can represent the visible underside of the ribbon.

2. Pin fabric in place on the quilt squares or the quilt top.

3. Stitch around ribbon design. Applique using hand stitching, a machine hem stitch or satin stitch.

4. Press completed ribbon applique.

5. Assemble the quilt layers and quilt around the design to emphasize the applique. Additional quilting often is done in straight lines or a grid pattern to draw attention to the curvilinear applique.

Ribbon Flowers

1. Stitch ribbon flowers using pattern directions. Make petunias and morning glories by stitching one edge of the ribbon with a long loose stitch. Gather the edge and form the ribbon into the trumpet shape of the flower. Stitch raw edges down and attach flower to quilt.

2. Stitch down the center of a thin brown ribbon with a loose stitch. Gather the ribbon and form it into a tightly wound circular shape to form the center of a sunflower. Stitch in place. Fold strips of yellow ribbon in various shades to form sunflower petals. If edges of petals are cut, use pinking shears or fabric glue to prevent raveling. Sew the sunflower center and petals onto the quilt top.

3. Make carnations, daisies, violets and other flowers by folding and stitching ribbon in appropriate colors. Change petal shapes by changing the length of the ribbon between folds. Use various shades of green ribbon for leaves. Make the leaves in long spear shapes for iris leaves. Make heart-shaped leaves for violets. Use thin ribbon in medium length folds for carnation leaves.

4. Form ribbon into other shapes such as hearts, circles and stars that can be appliqued onto the quilt top to fit a design motif.

5. Attach batting and backing fabric to quilt top. Quilt as desired.

Hot Ribbon Applique

1. Cut applique shapes from fabric and iron onto the quilt top using an iron-on quilting product. The fabric also can be hand painted or dyed to fit the design motif.

2. Place hot ribbon applique on the outer edges of the applique shapes and iron it on.

3. Trim the hot ribbon to follow the shape of the applique. Use black hot ribbon applique to mimic the appearance of the borders in stained glass. Use hot ribbon in contrasting or coordinating shades to accent the quilt or add depth to the design.

4. Assemble quilt layers and quilt as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use methods to attach appliques in keeping with your planned quilt use. If you plan to use the quilt on a daily basis, you may want to sew edges so the quilt can be gently washed. A wall hanging, on the other hand, may not require any washing but an occasional dry cleaning or vacuuming. This kind of quilt may be completely iron-on appliqued and have no stitching.

• Use caution with hot ribbon applique. The ribbon may be as thin as 1/8 inch and the iron may be hot.

References

• Applique quilt pattern #601-Ribbons & Roses Round Wreath by Curiosity
• Ribboned Bouquet Block of the Month; Janice Vaine
• Hot Ribbon Art; Lennie Honcoop; 2010