LAST week we promised to share with you two other important ribbon embroidery stitches before we start working on an actual project. The first of those two stitches is called the Loop Stitch, pictured below. But first, here’s a little reminder about Threading the Needle:

Step one: Slip the ribbon through the needle.

Step two: Pierce the ribbon ½ inch from the end.

Pull the length of the ribbon through to lock it on the needle. Now for the Loop Stitch.

(1)    Bring needle up and pull it through.
(2)    Insert needle tip into fabric about 1/8 inch from where it came up. Form a loop of ribbon on the surface of the fabric and, holding it in place, pull needle and trailing ribbon through.
(3)    Continuing to hold loop in place, bring needle back up through ribbon at the base of the loop.
Think you got it? Now let’s move on to the Woven Rose, the name of the second of the two stitches.

(1)  Thread  regular needle with ordinary sewing yarn to match silk ribbon you’re using. As shown in first diagram, stitch a foundation of five straight stitches, cartwheel style.

(2) Next, thread your chenille (recommended for silk-ribbon embroidery) needle with silk ribbon of choice, and, working from the centre out, bring needle up at Point A (as shown in second diagram) and pull it through. Next, weave ribbon through thread spokes by sliding needle and ribbon alternately over and under the thread without piercing fabric. Continue weaving until the spokes are full. Pull ribbon loosely, allowing a few twists in the ribbon here and there.

(3) Insert needle at D (see diagram), pull it through, then knot.
Now for the fun part! The project we have in mind is making or enhancing a simple table runner or tablecloth, using a charming composition of primarily French Knots and Lazy Daisy stitches.

What you’ll need
•    Plain damask table runner or tablecloth, or enough cloth to make either
•    Water-soluble marker
•    Dissolvable stabilizer
•    Black extra-fine-tip permanent marker
•    Straight pins
•    Beading thread
•    6-inch embroidery hoop (optional)
•    Needles: Embroidery and #20 chenille
•    4-millimeter silk ribbon: Light pink, dark pink, yellow, and green
•    Buttonhole silk-twist thread: Green
•    Wet cloth
•    Matching sewing thread
•    Lightweight fusible interfacing

Instructions:
1.  Fold material (whether runner, tablecloth or else) in half lengthwise and place several marks along the fold with water-soluble pen to indicate the centre of the runner.

Using photo as a guide, draw a pattern onto two pieces of dissolvable stabilizer with the permanent marker; set one pattern aside. Centre the remaining pattern on the front of one end of the material; pin in place. Use beading thread to baste the pattern to the material. Place that end of the material in an embroidery hoop, if desired, taking care not to tear the stabilizer. All embroidery will be through both the stabilizer and the material.
2.  Starting at the bottom of the design, use light pink ribbon to make French Knots, loosely wrapping the ribbon one time around the needle. Complete all the light pink French Knots on the pattern.

Use dark pink ribbon to embroider the flowers by making six to eight Lazy Daisy stitches, leaving the centres open. Knot and cut the ribbon before continuing on to the next flower. Stitch four or five French Knots at the centre of each flower with yellow ribbon, loosely wrapping the ribbon one time around the needle for each knot.

Thread embroidery needle with a 20-inch length of green silk-twist thread; knot the end. Stem-stitch the leaf stems; knot thread when stems are complete. For leaves, make Lazy Daisy stitches with green ribbon.
3.  Remove the basting thread from the stabilizer and trim away as much of the stabilizer as possible. Blot Ribbon Embroidery with a wet cloth to remove any stabilizer underneath the stitches. Allow the finished product to dry, then repeat embroidery on the opposite end of the project (table runner or tablecloth). When the project is dry, tack to secure the ribbon ends on the back and trim the tails. Cut a piece of lightweight fusible interfacing and fuse to the back of the project over the embroidery.
Should you have any questions, feel free to mail us at: lindford2004@yahoo.com