Silk Ribbon Embroidery (SRE) Stitches How-tos Tutorials

 

Below you will find how-tos for these Silk Ribbon Embroidery Stitches:
Threading Ribbon
Threading a Needle with a Ribbon
Knotting a Ribbon
Knotting a Ribbon
Straight Stitch
Straight Stitch
Folded Straight Stitch
Folded Straight Stitch
Ribbon Stitch
Ribbon Stitch
Loop Stitch
Loop Stitch
Gather Stitch
Gathered Stitch
Gather Stitch #2
Gathered Stitch #2
Wrapped Backstitch
Wrapped Backstitch

 

Any instructions with [brackets], refers you to the Technique Page in the Library of this site for printable free how-tos.

~If your project will be washed you should prewash your ribbons.
~Cut your ribbon at a angle (to prevent fraying), in lengths of 12" to 18". Choose the shorter amount if the ribbon will need to travel many times through the fabric.
~Grip pads are helpful to pull needles through the fabrics (cut tips of old rubber gloves do the same) or small needle nose pliers.
~For the Celebrating Flowers project, gently bury the knots from the back between the backing and batting layers.
~If the ribbon isn't going to lay the way you want, gently pull it in and out, adjusting it. A laying tool (anything smooth - including a large blunt needle) can aid with this.
~Occasionally let the needle hang to let the ribbon unwind.
~If necessary you can take a small tack stitch
[Stitches~ #2] to hold the ribbon where you want it.

 

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Use an embroidery needle with an eye large enough to fit the ribbon.
For larger ribbons you can use tapestry or chenille needles.
~Cut the end of the ribbon at a slant, and feed it through the eye of the needle, about 1".

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Pierce the other end of the ribbon with the needle, leaving a ½" tail.
~Gently pull the ribbon through the eye, leaving the end pierced.

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Pull the ribbon all the way through, until the pierced end locks into the eye of the needle (see in the picture below).

 

Knotting a Ribbon

 

Knotting a Ribbon

~Make a fold at the end of the ribbon and pierce it with a the ribbon-threaded needle.

Knotting a Ribbon

~Gently pull the needle and ribbon all the way through the folded end, until a loop knot forms.

 

Straight Stitch

~Bring your needle up at A and gently pull the ribbon through the fabric.

Staight Stitch

~Go back down at B, which can be any length you need for the stitch.

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Pull the ribbon all the way through, until it lays nicely flat.

 

Folded Straight Stitch

~Bring your needle up at A and gently pull the ribbon through the fabric.

Folded Straight Stitch

~Go back down at B, and up at C, which should be the bottom edge of the bend you will create.

Folded Straight Stitch

~Then stitch over the ribbon, going back down through the fabric at D.

Folded Straight Stitch

~Adjust the ribbons until you are please with the effect.

 

Ribbon Stitch

~Bring your needle up at A and gently pull the ribbon through the fabric.

Ribbon Stitch

~With the ribbon laying flat on the fabric, pierce the center of the ribbon at B, gently pulling the ribbon through, until the tip of the ribbon curls into a point.

Ribbon Stitch

 

Loop Stitch

~Bring your needle up at A and gently pull the ribbon through the fabric.

Loop Stitch

~Go back down at B, slightly ahead of A. Gently pull the ribbon through, holding the loop in place and leaving enough ribbon above the fabric for the size of loop you require. Using a laying tool is helpful in shaping your loops.

Loop Stitch

~Carefully come back up between A & B, piercing the center of the ribbon at B. Gently pull the ribbon through. Go back down at D to anchor the loop.

Tip: If you need the loop to lay down, you can use a tack stitch, using matching thread, through the back of the loop.

 

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Bring the ribbon and matching thread (on two seperate needles) up at the same place.
~The
ribbon will be kept on top of the fabric as you fill the shape, and does not go back down through the fabric until the very end.

Gathered Stitch

~With the matching thread run 4 to 5 small gathering stitches [Stitches~ #3c] along the bottom edge of the ribbon, from right to left.

Gathered Stitch

~Gather the ribbon into a small bunch, and tack stitch [Stitches~ #2] it with the thread, in place. Continue gathering & tacking.
~If filling a shape, work around the outer edge towards the center, until it is filled.

 

Threading a Needle with a Ribbon

~Fold a piece of ribbon (about 1") in half.

Gathered Stitch #2

~With the matching thread run 4 to 5 small gathering stitches [Stitches~ #3c] along the bottom edge of the folded ribbon.

Gathered Stitch

~Gather the ribbon into a small bunch, and tack stitch [Stitches~ #2] it with the thread, in place.

 

Wrapped Backstitch

~Use 3 strands of matching embroidery floss.
~To make a line of backstitches, work from right to left, making your stitches as wide as the ribbon you are working with.
~A is halfway between B and C.
~Repeat B/C, in a line, always going back in the hole from the last stitch.

Wrapped Backstitch

~Bring the ribbon up from behind where the row of backstitches begins.

Wrapped Backstitch

~Wrap each stitch with ribbon by sliding the needle under the backstitch, from right to left, and pulling the ribbon through, guiding it to lay flat.
~This method is great for flower stems.
For thicker stems, wrap the ribbon several times for each stitch.
For wider stems, use several rows of backstitches beside each other.

 

     

 

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