Ribbon Embroidery is a very beautiful and colorful embroidery and is also one of the oldest form of embroidery. Ribbons are narrow strips of decorative fabrics. Ribbons used for ribbon embroidery are available in different sizes, colors and widths. They can also be made of of different fabrics. Synthetics and silk ribbons are mostly used. Other fabrics such as cotton, taffeta, organza, polyester, satin etc are also used. Ribbon embroidery is also called as fancy work.
There are no restrictions on the colors used for the ribbon embroidery, wide varieties of colorful ribbons are used in all widths. Ready made ribbons can be used which are manufactured in small widths to be used as ribbons itself. Fabric strips cut from fabrics can also be used.
Various stitches such as running, stem, straight stitch, satin stitch etc are used. Knot stitches can also be used sometimes carefully so it does not become messy.
To know more about these embroidery stitches please visit my blog post about embroidery stitches by clicking the below link.
http://gennextfashions.blogspot.in/2013/01/embroidery-basics-basic-stitches.html
Flower motifs are mostly used. The best suitable fabric for ribbon embroidery is cotton or linen. Ribbon embroidery can be done on loosely woven fabrics.
How to do Ribbon Embroidery?
1) Thread a needle and insert it through the fabric from the wrong side of the fabric and bring it to the front of the fabric.
2) Insert the ribbon through the needle.
3) You can start working embroidery stitches. Make short lengths of stitches so that the ribbon does not look ragged.
4) As the ribbon embroidery does not look neat at the wrong side finish the ribbon by threading under some of the ribbon on the wrong side.
5) To create a different effect you can also bring the ribbon out and make stitches directly through the ribbon. This is called as ribbon stitch.
Applications of Ribbon Embroidery
Ribbon embroidery has wide applications like children's clothing, purses, women's tops, skirts, pillow cases, western gowns, lingerie, table covers, bags, show pieces made of fabrics, wall lights and ceiling lights etc.
There are no restrictions on the colors used for the ribbon embroidery, wide varieties of colorful ribbons are used in all widths. Ready made ribbons can be used which are manufactured in small widths to be used as ribbons itself. Fabric strips cut from fabrics can also be used.
Various stitches such as running, stem, straight stitch, satin stitch etc are used. Knot stitches can also be used sometimes carefully so it does not become messy.
To know more about these embroidery stitches please visit my blog post about embroidery stitches by clicking the below link.
http://gennextfashions.blogspot.in/2013/01/embroidery-basics-basic-stitches.html
Flower motifs are mostly used. The best suitable fabric for ribbon embroidery is cotton or linen. Ribbon embroidery can be done on loosely woven fabrics.
Image of a ribbon embroidery motif
Materials Required for Ribbon Embroidery
- Plain woven fabric which is woven loosely
- Ribbons in the required width and the color
- Embroidery needle which is suitable for the ribbon
- Embroidery frame
- Scissors
1) Thread a needle and insert it through the fabric from the wrong side of the fabric and bring it to the front of the fabric.
2) Insert the ribbon through the needle.
3) You can start working embroidery stitches. Make short lengths of stitches so that the ribbon does not look ragged.
4) As the ribbon embroidery does not look neat at the wrong side finish the ribbon by threading under some of the ribbon on the wrong side.
5) To create a different effect you can also bring the ribbon out and make stitches directly through the ribbon. This is called as ribbon stitch.
Applications of Ribbon Embroidery
Ribbon embroidery has wide applications like children's clothing, purses, women's tops, skirts, pillow cases, western gowns, lingerie, table covers, bags, show pieces made of fabrics, wall lights and ceiling lights etc.
