Tag Archive | ribbons

Friday’s Favorites: Ribbons and Trims

What more can I say? I have a selection of pieces to show you today, some you may have seen and some are from my upcoming book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old With the New, by C&T Publishing.

Well Hello Dolly: Vintage jacquard ribbons from the 1940s frame the four hand-quilted, printed pattern pieces for the dolls, Alice and Jeannie. Embellishments include a leaf trim, satin ribbons, ribbonwork flowers, celluloid flower pins, glass and plastic flowers beads, and vintage hat buttons. The chapter on Altering the Past, has a section on Ribbon and Trim Details, that shows you how to make the ribbonwork flowers.

Here are two examples of the Stash Projects that use ribbon. These two projects are primarily hand-sewn, so if you don’t own a sewing machine, you can still make them!

These are all examples of how you can incorporated rickrack and other trims into your work. There is a section in the chapter Altering the Past, on how you can stitch Ribbon and Trim Details.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Slow Stitchin’ on Sunday Mornings and National Button Week, Day 7!!!

Mar19

In these posts I want to share some of my favorite pieces, which will include wall hangings, small works, pillows, purses, and just because pieces. This month they are going to be from my new book, Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New, by C&T Publishing. This is the last day of National Button week March 13-19, 2023, here are few of my favorite buttons, and buttons, and lots and lots of buttons.

Bees Buzz on a Saturday Afternoon

I created this four block wall hanging, combining a grouping of solid and printed fabrics with vintage printed panels, using a different piecing technique for each block. The blocks are layered with a variety of both new and old ribbons and trims which include vintage rickrack trims and a jacquard ribbon; grosgrain, satin, and picot edge satin ribbons; burlap ribbon and burlap loop trim. Once the base was stitched, I hand-quilted it with perle cotton #12.

I incorporated an assortment of buttons, charms, and other ephemera to tell the story. I found loads of buttons in all sizes and materials including vintage celluloid, plastics, ceramic, and wood. I also used a collection of bird and bee charms, and Scottie dog scatter pins.

Block 1: This block started with the 9-patch square that I made with left-over pieces from another project. I added in strips of solid and printed cotton fabrics. I used grosgrain ribbon and burlap trim, along with vintage rickrack trim in several sizes for the seam treatments. I ironed a vintage cotton tape measure to muslin backed with HeatnBond, to use for the birds nest boxes. The wooden garden fence was purchased at JoAnne Fabrics. Notice Buzz is spelled with one Z and a bee button, because in Scrabble there is only one Z.

Block 2: This block started with the floral screen print, which I purchased from Woof and Warp Fabrics (my first job), back in the late 1970’s. I strip- and patch-pieced the sections around the block. I used the cinnamon colored jacquard ribbon and woven ribbons to hide the raw edges while piecing the block. I also used grosgrain, and burlap ribbons along with vintage rickrack trim for the seam treatments. Other embellishments include vintage fly buttons in the center panel, and Scottie dog “scatter pins” along the bottom edge. The little cutie next to my signature “C” was made for me by my cousin Richard, when he was in high school in the 1960’s.

Block 3: In the center of this block I used a printed fabric advertising “Flower Baskets” and “Bee Keeping Supplies” that I found at a rummage sale back in the 1980’s. I patch-pieced the center panel with strips of fabric, and used the ribbons and trims as seam treatments. To balance with Block 2, I repeated the grouping of large crochet flowers and rosettes made from grosgrain ribbon. I placed the flowers on stems of looped trim, with leaves made from ultra suede.

Block 4: This block is strip-pieced, with a few of the strips pieced to create a larger strip, using up the remaining bits and pieces of fabric that I had. The blue strip on the bottom became a fence for the three “Cat Amigos” to sit on, to ponder those Bees Buzzing on a Saturday Afternoon.

Embroidery Stitches Used Throughout the Blocks

Blanket Stitch Up and Down
Couched Stitch
Straight Stitch
Lazy Daisy Stitch
Fly Stitch
Cross Stitch
Bell Flower Stitch
Spiderweb Corner Stitch
Button Spider

Little Stitched Extras

Rosette
Loop Leaf
Birds Nest

Happy Stitching to you all! ~Christen

Tips and Tea on Tuesdays

Dec6

On Tips and Tea on Tuesdays, I will cover a topic and hopefully provide you with some tips that will be helpful! And just as an afterthought, tea may occasionally be a cup of Joe!

Tea today is as you can see, a mug of coffee. It is cold out, and I just wanted to have a sip of JOE. As I was sipping in my workroom, I came across some cardboard cones left over from a weaving project. I got to thinking about the shape, and thought, hmmm, this looks like it wants to be a tree. So I pulled out my ribbons, trims, lace, buttons, and started to play.

Tip: Wire Ribbon Cone Trees

Buy a cardboard cone at your local craft store.
Select the ribbon or ribbons that you want to use.
Start at the bottom of the cone. Wrap the ribbon around the cone, cut off the length needed plus 1″.
Place this onto the cone, with the bottom edge of the ribbon even with the bottom of the cone.
Glue this end to the cone. Fold the remaining end over 1/2″, and pin.
Wrap the length around the cone, remove the pin, and glue this end over the beginning end.
Repeat this step, with the same ribbon or a variety of ribbons, slightly overlapping the previous row, until the cone is covered.
Add a bow to the top, and small ornaments, or whatever strikes your fancy.

Tip: Lace and Rhinestone Cone Trees

Buy a cardboard cone or a Styrofoam cone at your your local craft store.
Select a 2 – 3 yard length of lace with one edge that has a ruffle.
Start at the bottom of the cone. Pin one end of the lace to the cone with an appliqué pin, so that the ruffle is even with the bottom of the cone.
Wrap the lace around the cone at a slight angle, slightly overlapping the previous row, and spiraling up the length of the cone.
Cut off the excess lace at the top of the cone, plus 1/2″. Fold the edge over, and pin this to the cone.
Using straight pins, decorate the tree with a length of rhinestone or pearl trim for a garland, or substitute an old rhinestone necklace.
Pin a ribbonworked flower, or and old dress pin to the top of the cone as the tree topper.
Pin buttons or old earrings in place with straight pins for the ornaments.

Happy tea drinking and stitching to you! ~Christen

PS: If you have any questions or thoughts, just leave a comment! See Tips, Tricks, the Basics, for more helpful ideas.

Ribbon and Ribbonwork Flowers, Leaves, and Trims

Nov6

I love to work with ribbon, ribbon, and more ribbon.

These are examples from my first book, Ribbonwork Gardens by C&T Publishing. There are 122 realistic flowers, leaves and garden extras included in the book, with experience levels from easy to advanced.

There are over 14 basic techniques, some traditional and some that I have created especially for this book. There is a complete compendium with ribbon styles, selection and care, and troubleshooting tips with several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.

These are examples from my second ribbonwork book, Ribbonwork Flowers, by C&T Publishing. There are 132 flowers, leaves, and garden extras – each with complete instructions and colorful how-to photos.

I have created these components using new twists on vintage ribbonwork construction, as well as creating new techniques of my own. The book includes flowers, petals, leaves, flower centers, fruit, and stem designs. There are several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.

ribbonwork trims, ribbons, details, gingerbread trims

This is an example of my class, Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims. Many of these edgings and trims use vintage techniques turning ordinary ribbon into detailed extraordinary couture trims. The simple techniques that are used to create these decorations range from folded, braided, wrapped and sewn.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Friday’s Favorites: Fall Colors

Nov4

Batik Galaxy by Christen Brown

This piece started with the a group of batik fabrics in dark mustard, teal, and cranberry/rust. The cranberry/rust fabric reminded me of the red ring around Mars, so I created a galaxy in the center of the piece, using a wholecloth reverse applique technique. The copper and antiqued brass finishes of the celestial-themed charms added an extra color element. This piece can be found in my book, The Embroidery Book by C&T Publishing.

Umbria by Christen Brown

This piece started with four printed fabrics in rich browns, rust, and cranberry colors. I found a variegated perle cotton that picked up all of those colors. I then chose the remainder of the embroidery and embellishments to match the thread. Embellishments include vintage shell buttons, copper charms, and glass buttons that are sprinkled around the fiber and metal leaf trims. This piece can be found in my book, The Embroidery Book by C&T Publishing.

Autumn Ribbons by Christen Brown

The base of this piece started with a linen napkin, and added bits of vintage lace that I hand-dyed with Colorhue dyes. I then added in loads of rust, orange, and brown flowers and leaves that I hand-stitched from Hanah silk bias ribbons. I used techniques that can be found in my book Ribbonwork Flowers by C&T Publishing. The embroidery was worked with perle cotton, Wildflower threads, and silk embroidery ribbon, using many of the stitches that can be found in my book Embroidered and Embellished by C&T Publishing.

Harvest Quilt by Christen Brown

The base of this quilt was strip-pieced using Hoffman cotton batiks, in rich autumn colors of rust, umber, cranberry, maple, and olive. The embroidery stitches are worked in perle cotton #5 and #8, Wildflower threads, and cotton floss. This piece was featured in the gallery section of my book Embroidered and Embellished by C&T Publishing.

Enjoy! Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Friday’s Favorites: Autumn Jewels

Oct21

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

Ribbonwork Flowers: Flower Chapters

Feb20

As you all may know, my newest book, Ribbonwork Flowers will be available next month, March 2015.

Gather, twist, fold, and stitch 132 flowers, leaves, and garden extras from elegant ribbons and lace. Each technique has complete instructions and colorful how-to photos that I have taken. I have included new and vintage ribbonwork construction techniques, plus an overview of basic hand-sewing techniques.

Here is a view of all of the flowers included in the book. I just love this image of them all floating together.

There are six flower chapters:

14 Basic Construction Techniques: Rosette, Posy, Knotted Posy and Knotted Ruffled Posy, Double Posy and Fancy Rosette or Posy, Boat Gather Petals, Folded Petals, Gather and Grab Petals, Gathered Loop Petals, Gala Gather Petals, Ruched Petals, Hop ‘n Stitch Petals, Crinkle Fold Petals, Star Point Petals and Flip ‘n Fold Petals.

12 Vintage Inspired Blooms: Rosie Mantel, Calla Lily, Windflower, Gazania, Heliotrope, Petunia, Cassiope, Cymbidium, Pansy, Sweetheart’s Flower, Primrose, and Queen’s Climber.

12 Musically Appealing Blooms: Nemesia, Yarrow, Hydrangea, Flowering Quince, Amaryllis, Irish Rose, Cockle Shells, Wild Rose, Cup and Saucer Vine, Columbine, Day Lily, and Larkspur.

12 Sweet Reminders of Summer: Double Daisy, Grand Duchess, Angel Wing Begonia, Campion, Sweet Alyssum, Impatiens, Estrella, Rosie Rambler, Pennine Mum, Empress Lily, Chrysanthemum, and Pincushion Flower.

12 Creatively Colorful Blooms: Hibiscus, Passion Flower, Moulin Rouge, Ballerina Fuchsia, Gypsy Dandelion, Lily of the Valley, Puck’s Rose, Court Jester, Spanish Dancer, Royal Dahlia, Orchid, and Claire de Lune.

10 Beautiful Blooms and 2 Buds: Gentle Lady, Saucy Miss, English Miss, Pompom Rose, Symphony Rose, Guinevere’s Rose, Chou Rose, Vintage Favorite, Fontana Rose, Romantic Rose, Petite Bud and Silk Bloom.

The remaining chapters of the book are support chapters, with petals, leaves, centers and garden extras.

Petals, Leaves and Greenery includes 10 individual petals, (with instructions to create a two different flower shapes); and 16 leaves, with two different stems. I have also included a chapter on Centers and Extra Flourishes with 13 different centers. Finally I included a chapter with 10 different Garden Accessories which includes butterflies, ladybugs, snails, and fruit.

I hope that you find something that you like! Happy Stitching, ~Christen

Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims: class/tutorial

Dec6

Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims: 2 lessons/$30.00

Girls of all ages love ribbon, trims and frills, and these 28 trims gathered here would be no exception. Many of these edgings and trims use vintage techniques turning ordinary ribbon into detailed extraordinary couture trims. The simple techniques that are used to create these decorations range from folded, braided, wrapped and sewn. These trims can be used to turn thrift store clothing into couture, transform pieced CQ work above and beyond, and mixed media projects into fabulous works of art.

Skill Level Beginning/Intermediate: hand sewing and ribbonwork knowledge helpful.

Lesson 1: This lesson will cover these Folded Trims: Flat Braid, Curved Braid, Folded Braid, Fence Post Trim and Zigzag Plate. The Stitched Edgings are: Short Ruched Trim: 2RW, Long Ruched Trim: 3RW, Short-Long-Short Ruched Trim, Detail Ruched Trim, Two Ribbon Trim, Box Pleat, Detailed Box Pleat, Box Bow and Shell Stitch Trim.

Lesson 2: This lesson will cover these Novelty Trims: Eyelet Lace Trim, Layered Ribbon with Buttons, Chain Loop, Detailed Rouleau and Twisted Thread Trim. The Stitched Edgings are: Paddle-wheel, Rosette Trim, Buds and Roses Trim, Knife Pleat, Knife Pleat with Trim, Poofed Trim, Switchback Gather Loop, Sheered Ribbon and Detailed Sheered Ribbon.

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

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Christen's Creations

Creative Expressions from a fiber artist, beader, ribbon artist and embroiderer.