Silk Ribbon Embroidery

The summary and stitch diagrams for this lesson were provided by Silkribbon@aol.com, who also did the teaching for members.

Silk ribbon embroidery first appeared in the 1700"s in France. The royalty and court ladies were the only ones who could afford the elaborate gowns with the silk em-broidery. There were offical embroidery houses that produced the gowns that took months to stitch. Soon the silk ribbons fashions reached England and other places.

Ribbon embroidery saw a revivial in 1870 The ribbon at that time was in shaded colors and purchased at dry good stores. The embroidery was used in crazy quilts, millenery, clothing and parasols.

Ball gowns in the 1880's and 1890's had entensive use of ribbon. The colors were in antique pastels of pale rose, dusty rose, sage green, light purple and violet.

Ribbon should be cut in 10"-12" lengths depending on color of ribbon. The dyes for some colors/shades weakens the ribbon and you may need to cut those ribbons shorter. When stitching the ribbon, be sure to make the stitches loose and fluffy.

I find that chenille needles are best because they have a large eye for the ribbon to go through. Also, the large shaft will create large enough hole in fabric for the ribbon to go through. If the ribbon is being damaged rather easily, try a larger needle. A size 18 needle work best for 4mm ribbon.

Tapesty needles are used to adjust the ribbon into place. Or you can buy a trolly needle which does the same thing.

Knitting needles, straw, etc. can be used to make ribbon loops the same length.

Marking pens/pencils can be used for marking patterns onto fabric. NOTE: In one of Jill's classes, she mentions that the chemicals can damage the fabric. So if the project is going to be an heirloom, you might consider some other means of marking the pattern onto the fabric.

Threading the needle: Thread the needle and then go through ribbon 1/3" from end and pull gently on needle until ribbon locks around the eye of needle.

Knotting silk ribbon: Go through ribbon half inch from end of ribbon and then out of ribbon 1/4" from end of ribbon and pull ribbon though both layers til knot is formed.

Note: this is a soft knot and when stitching the first stitch, be sure to carefully stitch it and not pull the soft knot through fabric. Or my way: Leave a tail of ribbon on the back side of fabric, and stitch through the tail when stitching the first couple stitches. This method creates less bulk on the wrong side of fabric.

Straight Stitch: Same as regular embroidery except stitch it loosely.

Ribbon Stitch: Bring ribbon up through fabric straighten ribbon, then bring needle through ribbon and fabric at the desired length. Do allow the ribbon curl a bit where the needle goes through both the ribbon and fabric.

Loop Stitch: Bring ribbon up through fabric, straighten ribbon, down through fabric (about 3-4 threads in front) leaving a loop of desired length. Note: Make these loops slowly and on back of fabric try to go through ribbon of previous loops to stabilize the loops on top of fabric.

Lazy Daisy Stitch: Same as in regular embroidery except stitch it loose and fluffy.

French Knot: Same as in regular embroidery except stitch it loose and fluffy.

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