Here are a few colorful blooms to cheer up the week! Happy May Day!
Happy Stitching, ~Christen
May Day, Spring Flowers
Tag Archive | ribbon work flowers
Recycled Blue Jeans and Denim Fabric
JEANS, when did you get your first pair? I grew up wanting to be the “ballerina” in Elton John’s song “Blue Jean Baby”. I can hear you singing, “can’t you see her, tiny dancer in the sand”.
In high school I embroidered jeans and work-shirts for friends and family. In fact the reason that I now wear a thimble while stitching is from being poked so much by working on the heavy jean fabric. I have recycled a pair or two (that did not fit anymore), and used them in various projects. I also like to work with denim fabric (sold by the yard), because it provides a nice firm base to work on.
“Blue Jean Baby” is stitched onto a pant leg, from a pair of old jeans. I removed the pocket first, and used it and the pocket from the other leg in the examples below. I appliqued a lace heart, and many hand made flowers into the heart vase. I added vintage and new beads into the centers of the flowers. I embroidered ribbon down the side edges using traditional embroidery stitches. The little cat (made from a quilt from 1880’s) was a gift that came along with an eBay purchase, and Marcia Marcantonio is the creator. Thank you Marcia, I think that your gift is quite at home here.
“Butterflies and Snapdragons” (a pocket from the pants), was featured in my book Ribbonwork Gardens, by C&T Publishing. The middle embroidery was worked on another portion of the jeans. “Flower Child” (a pocket from the pants), was featured in my book Ribbonwork Flowers, by C&T Publishing.
These two pieces begin with the same pair of jeans (cut from the other pant leg), and one of my favorite fabrics, the vintage floral print that the hearts are cut from. The heart shapes are bordered by a dyed leaf trim, and are surrounded by silk ribbonwork flowers and leaves, and silk ribbon embroidery.
“Country Hearts” Wall Hanging was featured in my book, The Embroidery Book, by C&T Publishing. Each square was cut from the same pair of jeans, and I used the vintage rickrack trim to cover the raw seams. The embroidery stitches are worked in perle cotton threads. The embellishments include vintage tatted lace, ribbonwork flowers, vintage buttons, and glass beads.
“Denim and Dresden” is featured in my book, Creative Stitching, Mixing the Old with the New, by C&T Publishing. I used jean fabric for the base of the piece, and I think that it compliments the vintage feed sack fabric so nicely. The embroidery is worked in perle cotton, cotton floss, and vintage tatting threads. The embellishments include yo-yo’s and vintage buttons.
Happy Stitching to you! ~Christen
PS: If you are looking for inspiration or ideas, check out my PDF Classes and books.
Friday’s Favorites: Autumn Jewels
These are a few of the small wall hangings and wreaths that I have made. The first was featured in my book Ribbonwork Flowers, with the ribbonworked flowers attached to a wire base, embellished with vintage buttons and charms. The second was a class that I taught at my store, with the flowers and leaves made from French wire and woven ribbons, embellished with vintage buttons and charms. The third features a dragonfly that I taught at my store, embellished with silk and woven ribbonwork flowers and leaves.
Here are two neck-pieces that I have created. The first is entirely made from ribbonwork flowers and leaves from the Petals and Posies series that I taught at my store. The embellishments include vintage velvet ribbon leaves, and a sprinkling of vintage and new buttons. The second is a version of a class that I taught at my store, Entwined Treasures. The base begins with a silk cord base, and is embroidered and embellished with beads, ribbons, charms and buttons.
Enjoy this harvest of treasures! Happy Stitching! ~Christen
National Sewing Month
Day 25
Question: When you are working with a group of fabrics, how do you decide what colors to use for the embroidery stitches? Here are a few ideas.
Victoriana by Christen Brown
This crazy-pieced square started with a rayon print, and 6 different silk fabrics that matched the colors of the print. I chose silk embroidery ribbon, perle cotton, buttonhole silk, cotton floss, and seed beads in those same colors. I used 7mm silk embroidery ribbon and silk bias ribbons for the ribbonwork flowers. Each section of fabric is worked with a combination of the colors and components.
Melted Crayons by Christen Brown
Tiny bits of precious silk fabrics were crazy-pieced onto four foundation squares and strip-pieced onto four border strips. These blocks and strips were bordered with black silk fabric, satin ribbon, and rayon cord. I chose to work each of the border rows with black buttonhole twist, then the decorative and detail stitches with a variegated Valdani perle cotton. Vintage and new button details were stitched down with perle cotton and rayon floss. This piece can be seen in The Embroidery Book, by C&T Publishing.
Happy Stitching, ~Christen
Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Day 30 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Daffodils
When our friends Phred and Tom got married, I was asked to be the flower girl. In this case, it meant that I was making the flowers for the wedding party. Here is a group of my friend Phred’s favorite flower, the daffodil. My husband Kevin gave part of the ceremony, and our daughter Gwen was the video photographer.
Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!
Day 29 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Day 29 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Country Cottage Tussy Mussy
May your day be filled with everything and everyone that you love!
This is a class that I taught for Joggles. I loved working with all of the different materials, and textures which include cotton fabric, lace, grosgrain ribbon, satin ribbon, felt, crochet streamers, and vintage buttons. The vessel that the flowers are displayed in is made from a cardboard cone that has been covered with mixed media techniques.
One of the flowers that I think is the prettiest is the shabby rose. If you would like to make this flower click here.
Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!
Day 19 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Day 19 of FLOWERS GALORE!
Brides Choice
This is a gallery project that I made starting with an old salt shaker for the vase. I wrapped the vase in several pieces of vintage lace and added a satin ribbon bow. I filled it with buttons attached to wire stems, and blooms that can be found in my book Ribbonwork Flowers by C&T Publishing.
Happy Stitching, enjoy~ Christen!
Hankies and Lace Wall Hanging
Hankies and Lace Wall Hanging with Christen Brown
This class is scheduled to begin Thursday August 3, 2017.
This project combines vintage handkerchiefs, ribbons, lace and cotton fabrics. The hankies will be your focal point, with ribbon, lace and appliques used as useful camouflage. Both traditional and silk ribbon embroidery stitches will be used to embellish the edges and inner sections of the hankies. Free standing elements and embellishments that will be added are appliques, yo-yo’s and flowers all made from bits of fabric. Vignettes with silk ribbon embroidery and ribbonwork flowers will be embroidered throughout the hanky base. Buttons, charms and beads will be added in here and there to finish the project.
The finished project can be turned into a pillow or a wall hanging. My book Embroidered and Embellished is a required supply. Student must be familiar with all forms of embroidery stitches before class, as no stitches will be demonstrated during class time. Student must also have both machine and hand-sewing skills.
Week 1: Creating The Base $20.00
The base of the project is created with hankies, linens, fabric and ribbon. Several different examples of hanky designs will be explored. Machine and hand sewing will necessary to finish the base, and will be need to completed at home before the next class.
Week 2: Fabric and Lace Embellishments $20.00
Learn to make free standing elements and embellishments: appliques, yo-yo’s and flowers, bird’s nests and more all made from bits of scrap fabrics and lace.
Week 3: Ribbonwork Components $20.00
The ribbonwork flowers that will be covered are: the rosette, posy, ruched petal flower, U-gather petal flower, rickrack flower and 3 petal fan. Student must be familiar with hand sewing skills before class.
Week 4: Lace, Appliques and Embroidered Rows $20.00
Lace and small appliques will be stitched here and there, and embroidered rows of stitches will encrust the edges of the hankies. Student must be familiar with embroidery stitches before class.
Week 5: Floral Vignettes $20.00
Arrange and design fabric and ribbon components from Weeks 2 and 3. Stitch in additional elements and designs with silk ribbon embroidery. Student must be familiar with ribbonwork and silk ribbon embroidery stitches before class.
Week 6: Silk Ribbon Embroidered Roses, Buds and Flowers $20.00
Embroider smaller vignettes of roses, buds and other flowers around the larger vignettes and within the hanky sections. Student must be familiar with silk ribbon and traditional embroidery stitches before class.
Week 7: Decorative and Detail Stitches $20.00
Embroider decorative and detail stitches along the border rows, and within the hanky sections. Student must be familiar with traditional embroidery stitches before class.
Week 8: Bugs, Buttons, Charms and More $20.00
Embroider small detail stitches like spiders, butterflies, and dragonflies. Add in buttons charms and a few beaded stitches to complete the vignettes and border rows.
Week 9: Finishing Touches $20.00
Variety of bindings, stabilizers, and additional finishing touches will be covered.
Class Details:
These classes are listed with the price per visit.
Date and time: This class is not currently on the schedule.
For information on the series, please contact me: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com
The above class fees reflect the content, the handout and any supplies noted in the description of each specific class. Once the fee of a class is paid for, you will receive a handout in an email, which will need to be printed and brought to class.
Happy Stitching! ~Christen
Ribbonwork Flowers: Wreaths
I wanted to share the wreaths that I have included in my book, Ribbonwork Flowers. I have a fondness for wreaths, and had fun putting together the components for each of the following ones.
The “Sweet Wreath” started with a wire base, that is covered with ruched grosgrain ribbon. The flowers include the Double Posy, Fancy Rosette, Star Point Petal flower, Knotted Ruffled Posy, Boat Gather Petal flower, and a Rosette.
“Spools and Tools” started with a base of vintage wooden spools that are strung on a wire base. I wrapped the spools with a novelty ribbon, that had images of seed packages. The center piece is a pair of garden sheers that were my grandmothers. Each grouping of blue, red and yellow flowers is set into a vintage thimble with advertising on it. I also included Rosettes made from novelty ribbon with a button center, and lady bugs made from grosgrain ribbon. To finish the wreath I added vintage buttons and vintage tin butterflies.
The “Rustic Garland” started with a fabulous plaid grosgrain ribbon that I found on sale at Joannes Fabrics. The brown grosgrain came from a friend who worked for Harry and Davids, the burgundy ribbon came off of a pillow that I bought and the turquoise twill tape is from the Martha Stewart collection. The remaining double sided satin, jacquard and sheer ribbons were found in my stash.
“Mariposa Fall” wreath started with a wire base, covered in vintage celluloid and Bakelite buttons sprinkled with gold-tone and copper butterflies. I died most of the ribbons, except for the Hannah bias silk that I made the pansies from. The remaining flowers are the Rosette, the Posy, English Miss and Simple Flower.
Thank you for looking, and Happy Stitching! ~Christen
New Pincushions to Share
I have a passion for sewing accessories, as you may have guessed. And I have some new pincushions to share with you, these were gallery samples from my new book, Ribbonwork Flowers, which is available March, 2015.
“Winifred’s Pincushion” started with a porcelain doll head that was made in Germany during the 1890’s. The body of the pincushion is made from 3-1/2″ hand dyed silk velvet fabric. The base is embellished with velvet grosgrain ribbon and ruched 3/8″ satin ribbon. The flowers and leaves include: Rosettes made from 1/4″ ombre taffeta ribbon; English Miss roses made from 5/8″ silk bias ribbon; Puck’s Rose made from 3/8″ double sided satin ribbon; and Oval Leaves made from 1″ silk bias ribbon. The dimensions are: 3-3/4″ diameter X 3-1/4″ high.
“Tuffet of Impatiens” is 2″ in diameter, and stand 2″ high. The base of the pincushion is made from 2-1/2″ silk bias ribbon, and is embellished with 1/4″ ombre taffeta ribbon. The Impatiens are made from 1″ silk bias ribbon, and the leaves are made from hand dyed silk satin ribbon.
The base for “A Pincushion for Constance” is made from hand dyed vintage silk velvet ribbon with a picot edge trim. The base of the flower is a crochet doily that I found at a thrift store. The flowers and leaves include: English Miss roses made from 1-1/2″ silk bias ribbon; Gather and Grab flower made from 5/8″ silk bias ribbon; and Oval Leaves made from 1-1/2″ silk bias ribbon. The dimensions are: 4″ diameter x 2-1/4″ high.
Lastly I want to share one of my favorite sets, “Strawberry Scissor Fob and Red Rosettes Pincushion”. The base for the pincushion is a 1-1/2″ rayon velvet ribbon; the base for the fob is a 5/8″ rayon velvet ribbon. The pincushion is adorned with 3/8″ jacquard ribbon Rosettes with ombre taffeta Soft Curve Leaves. The strawberries are made from 7/8″ satin ribbon with 3/8″ ruched calyx.
Happy Stitching my friends, ~Christen
Christen's Creations 