Silk Ribbon Embroidery Designs & Techniques

Use embroidery needles with large eyes for this medium.

You can use silk ribbon to embroider clothing, napkins, tablecloths or bedding. Traditionally, silk ribbon embroidery design was centered on floral patterns or scrollwork that complemented monograms or plaques. Learning the basic stitches and what they are commonly used for will help you design and create a silk ribbon-embroidered piece.

Straight Stitch

The straight stitch is a simple stitch that requires pulling the silk ribbon up at one point and down at another while keeping the ribbon straight. This is useful for making leaves or petals because the ribbon is pinched at either end when it goes through the fabric but is wide in the middle.

Ribbon Stitch

The ribbon stitch is similar to the straight stitch, except that it bends back on itself. This creates a fold or bump at one end. Like the straight stitch, ribbon stitch is commonly used to make petals and leaves. To make the ribbon stitch, pull up through the fabric, lay the ribbon along where you would like to go back down through the fabric, press the needle through the ribbon and the fabric, and pull slowly to tighten the stitch. If you would like the ribbon to curve to the right, pierce the ribbon right of center. Curved ribbon stitches are especially useful for making curved leaves or scrollwork.

French Knot

French knots are essentially big silk ribbon knots on the surface of the fabric. They are commonly used to make doll eyes or flower buds. To make a French knot, pull the needle up through the fabric. Hold the needle horizontally in your right hand and the ribbon in your left. Wrap the ribbon around the needle two or three times. Inserts the needle through the fabric and carefully pull it tight. Wrapping the needle more times makes a bigger knot.

Lazy Daisy Stitch

The lazy daisy stitch is essentially a loop with a tight stitch around the top of it. This flattens the top of the loop and creates a shape that resembles a tulip or a daisy petal. To make this stitch, pull up through the fabric and then down again about 1/16 of an inch away from the first hole. Pull the ribbon until just a small loop is above the fabric. Press the loop flat against the fabric. Pull the needle up through the fabric just below the top of the laid-down loop. Tighten the ribbon and pull the needle back down through above the top of the loop.

References

• Threads: Beginners' Silk-Ribbon Embroidery: Five Easy Stitches