Saturday, October 19, 2013

Silk Ribbon Embroidery For Beginners

By Elena McDowell


When people see examples of silk ribbon embroidery, they often feel that they would never be able to do something as complicated. This is far from the truth as mastering a few simple stitches is all that is required to begin with. It goes without saying that experience is required for more difficult projects.

A few basic supplies are all that is necessary to begin. There are many different kits available for purchase from online websites and these kits simplify the process for beginners. Fabric is already printed with a design and the right colors and sizes of ribbons are chosen to complete it. Instructions are also available.

Any kind of material such as cotton, linen and even denim may be used for such a project. As long as a needle can get through a material it is suitable. This means that a variety of items such as pillow cases, sheets, clothing and even greeting cards can be given a decorative touch.

When considering suitable needles it is important to choose one with a sharp point and a large enough eye. As ribbons are used, a point that is not sharp enough can cause splitting rather than piercing. The large eye makes the size of the hole big enough for ribbons to pass through without a problem.

If you want to prevent fabric from puckering, a hoop must be used. Ribbons tend to fray easily, so it is better to work with shorter lengths that do not have to pass through the fabric too often. The width of ribbons differs and the most common ones used are 4mm and 7mm. Good quality ribbons should be chosen for the best effect.

There are many online websites devoted to helping beginners. Online videos explain carefully how to do everything from ironing of ribbons before beginning a project to caring for the finished item. There are also plenty of tutorials available that make it easy for beginners to pick up some simple stitches. Online blogs are inspirational and a source of many tips for beginners as well.

Some basic stitches like the straight stitch, lazy daisy, French knot and stem stitch are explained on these websites with easy to follow illustrations and instructions. Using these stitches in different combinations enables you to create many different floral motifs and patterns. Some stitches are suitable for creating petals of flowers and leaves, whilst others are more suited for making stems and outlining.

One useful tip is to work with a loose tension when using ribbons. This helps to keep the shape of stitches and create the correct effect. If tension is too tight, this effect is ruined. A tip to prevent ribbons from twisting as you work is by holding the stitch in place with your thumb as you pull them through.

Silk ribbon embroidery is well worth trying. It is not too difficult to master a few basics that can be used to produce surprisingly delicate designs. Few supplies are needed and they can be taken everywhere. This art can be adapted to numerous different projects and the imagination is the only limit to what is accomplished.




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