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Threads eLetter


From the pages of Threads Magazine

Beginners' Silk-Ribbon Embroidery

Hand-embroider exquisite designs with just a few basic stitches, then add to your repertoire

by Karen Kieppe

Silk-ribbon embroidery is a romantic, old art that uses ribbon, embroidery floss, and perle cotton to work beautiful floral motifs and decorative stitch patterns by hand on garments and accessories. I love the antique quality of this form of embroidery, and I use it to embellish crazy-quilted bags and purses, as well as contemporary garments cut from a single fabric. Silk-ribbon embroidery is easy and fun to do, and even a novice embroiderer can create elegant floral arrangements and beautiful patterns with some simple stitches.

Five easy stitches
Five basic stitches
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There are many different embroidery stitches, but I've found that just five basic stitches, used alone or in various combinations, can create a large array of floral motifs and stitch patterns. The ribbon stitch is for ribbon only, but the lazy daisy, straight stitch, stem stitch, and French knots can be made with ribbon or thread. Try them, and you'll see that the ribbon produces a different effect with each stitch.

Five stitches to add to your repertoire

Five stitches to add to your repertoire
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When used in various combinations, the straight stitch, ribbon stitch, lazy daisy, French knot, and stem stitch can produce lively, rich-looking embellishments for garments, quilts and home furnishings. Here are five more of my favorite stitches. When used together with the five basic stitches mentioned above, you can create a forest of flowers, leaves, and stems. For inspiration, look at Silk-ribbon embroidery: an online gallery to see how I use these stitches in designs created for my Granny May Company.

Embroidery supplies by mail

Karen Kieppe embroiders in East Lansing, Mich., where she owns the Granny May Company.

Photos: Sloan Howard; drawings: Christine Erickson

From Threads #92, pp. 56-59
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