Tag Archive | ribbonwork flowers and leaves

Friday’s Favorites: Scarves

I love scarves! And with the cold weather still out, I am constantly in search of that little bit of extra warmth and color. Being allergic to wool can sometimes be a challenge to find just the right thing for an outfit, so I am always on the lookout, and often I make my own accessories or re-style or revamp an already made item.

This chiffon scarf was a gift from my husband and daughter, along with a box of Godiva chocolates. How could you go wrong with yummy chocolate and my favorite color purple! I added satin rosettes and posies using the directions from my book Ribbonwork Gardens, by C&T Publishing.

This is a scarf that is entirely made from Hanah Silk bias ribbon. Several different widths were used, and stitched together on the sewing machine. The ruffled roses are hand-stitched, and are also made from silk bias ribbon.

This is a scarf that I knit, using yarn that was made from silk sari borders. It has a lively color combination, lots of colors and fun nubby sections. I made folded edge rosettes from hand-dyed silk velvet ribbon. The centers of the flowers are abalone shell buttons.

This scarf was purchased many years ago at Cost Plus, now it is called World Market. It is incredibly detailed with rickrack ribbon stitched into flowers, sequins, and beads! To top it off I made another flower from my book Ribbonwork Gardens, using ribbon that came off another box of Godiva chocolates.

Happy Stitching to you all, and Enjoy~ Chisten

Ribbonwork Flowers: Bouquets

Apr6

I wanted to share a few of the gallery pieces that I made for my book Ribbonwork Flowers, published by C&T. The directions are offered in the book for all of the flowers and leaves that are included in the bouquets.

This is a vintage china creamer filled with Rosette flowers made from satin ribbon in 7/8″ and 5/8″ widths. The china pattern is called Sweet Pea, made by Royal Winton during the 30’s and 40’s, and is one of my favorites.

“Bride’s Choice”, started with an old salt shaker. I thought that the holes at the top would make a perfect “frog” to organize the flowers. I covered the shaker with a vintage piece of cotton lace, and satin ribbon. The flowers are made from a variety of silk bias, satin and grosgrain ribbons in 3/8″ and 5/8″ widths. I also included a few buttons to fill out the bouquet.

“Grand Duchess”, started with a sterling silver knife handle, that my dad had made for me. I filled it with the Grand Duchess flower made from two different widths of satin ribbon. The leaves are made from vintage velvet ribbon, with a few vintage milliner’s roses and leaves placed in the background.“Red and White Vase” started with an antique arm from a china doll. I covered the arm with bits of vintage lace. I used grosgrain, satin, novelty and jacquard ribbons for the flowers. I chose the Lily of the Valley, Sweetheart’s Flower, Calla Lily, Star Point Petal Flower and Boat Gather Petal Flowers. “Geisha’s Delight” also started with a sterling silver knife that my dad made for me. I used a variety of materials including vintage velvet, grosgrain, satin, and jacquard ribbons; vintage stamens and vintage beads. The flowers are the Cup and Saucer Vine, Rosette, Star Point Petals (stitched onto the velvet Rosette), and Puck’s Rose.

Happy Stitching, and may your gardens always bloom! ~Christen

New Pincushions to Share

Mar24

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. ribbonwork pincushion “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

Jacket full of Ribbonwork Gardens and Flowers

Mar23

I also just finished embellishing this jean jacket that I found at a thrift store. The front and back panels are embellished with the leftover ribbon flowers that I have made over the past three years for my two ribbonwork books: Ribbonwork Gardens and Ribbonwork Flowers, by C&T Publishing. Here is a complete list of all my books.

I included a variety of flowers and leaves from my books, in additions to some prototypes that I just liked, but didn’t get into either book.

Here is a closeup of the front, and then the back.

Happy Stitching my friends, and may your gardens always bloom! ~Christen

Corsages to Dye For II: class/tutorial

Dec5

Corsages to Dye for II: 3 lessons/$38.00

Do you find yourself wishing “if only I had a ribbon that was this color or that”, or “why didn’t it come in my favorite colors”? If your answer is YES, then let me invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) silk ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Skill Level Intermediate: hand sewing and ribbonwork knowledge helpful

Lesson 1: This class you will learn how to mix the Colorhue dyes (no other dye will be used or discussed); you can use the basic color wheel or create your own colors. You will learn a series of techniques to prepare the ribbon for dyeing, then dyeing the ribbons that you will use in the next lessons. I will also cover over-dyeing and “antique coloring” of the dyed ribbons.

Lesson 2: This class will focus on making the flowers: the Chou Rose, the Country Rose, and the Lady Ashley Rose. I will show you design options for each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers. Which corsage you decide to make is up to you.

Lesson 3: This class will focus on making the leaves from the ribbons that you have dyed, then stitching all of the components together into the corsages.

*Note: The Corsages to Dye For series need not be taken in order. In each class you will learn how to prepare the dyes; and each lesson will cover a different set of preparation techniques to create the colorful patterns in the ribbons.

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.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

Kansas City, Here I Come!

May14

I will be introducing my new book, Ribbonwork Gardens, at International Quilt Market, Kansas City 2012 this coming Thursday and Friday.

Here is the quilted wall hanging that I made with the 122 examples of flowers, leaves and garden extras that are included in the book!

Here are a few close-up shots of the 15-1/2″ x 15 1/2″ wall hanging.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Stitching, Christen

Elegantly Embroidered Silk Gardens

Apr6

Elegant Gardens Wall Hanging/10 Lessons/$90.00

Elegant Gardens consists of nine individual panels worked in a variety of silk bias ribbons and silk embroidery ribbons. Each individual garden is worked in a variety of stitches, which also include extra embellishments such as buttons, vintage lace or charms. Each of these vignettes could also be worked into an existing quilt block or square. There are fourteen embroidery stitches, which you will learn in Lesson 1. There are nine ribbonwork flowers that you will learn throughout the following lessons, with variations of the fourteen embroidery stitches.

Lesson 1: In this class you will learn the embroidery stitches that include the blanket, feather, pistol stitch, outline, straight, couched, lazy daisy, bullion, French knot, ribbon stitch, bullion tipped lazy daisy, petite rose center, ribbon rose and loop stitch. These will be worked in silk embroidery ribbon and threads. In the second part of the lesson you will prepare your squares of fabric for the following classes.

	Pati Sofia on Tips and Tea on Tuesdays is ta…
	Grovenore Flato on Tips and Tea on Tuesdays is ta…
	Cindy on Tips and Tea on Tuesdays is ta…
	Tips and Tea on Tues… on Embroidery Extravaganza
	Sketchuniverse on Day 15 of FLOWERS GALORE!

Christen's Creations

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