Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

2002

Taught by Nora Creeach

Lesson 1
The diagram for your practice of Lesson 1 shows three branches of a plant using the Stem Stitch.
The center flower is made from a circle of French Knots with a Beaded French Knot in the center.
The two flowers on the outside are formed of the Pistil Stitch in a circle around the Montano Knot.
Japanese Ribbon Stitch and Raised Ribbon Stitches are used along the branches and the base is
formed by two Side Japanese Ribbon Stitches. This design will use each of the stitches taught in
this lesson.

Using a combination of the stitches you may prefer to stitch your own design arranging flowers
and leaves composed of the stitches learned.

This is a very simple design which includes all the stitches you will learn in Lesson 1. You should
practice each of the stitches individually on a piece of fabric then move to a fabric you will keep
and stitch the design. You may add more flowers and leaves using the same stitches to fill in the

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

design to suit your own taste.

Stem Stitch:

This stitch is often used for the stems and branches. It can also be used to outline an area.
Lightly mark the lines using your preferred method of transfer. Make a single stitch
bringing the ribbon up from the back on the line and taking it straight down to the back
again on the line slightly in front of where you exited. This distance is determined by your
design and how long your stitch will be.

The second stitch begins one half to one fourth distance from the end of the first stitch. You
will bring the needle up immediately beside the first stitch. Take it back down to the back on
the line. Each stitch should be the same length. You will always bring the needle to the top of
the fabric beside the previous stitch and take it through the fabric to the back on the line.
Continue this until you have reached the length you wish.

When stitching a curve or a circle the starting point of each stitch will change from the
inside of the line to the outside of the line. You want to maintain a line where the stitches
flow in a smooth curve. Varying the length of the stitches can add texture, as an example you
can begin a stem at the bottom with longer stitches and as you reach the top end of the stem
or branch you can begin to shorten your stitches and curve the line into a "curly Q". With
the added leaves this will look like a fern frond. With the added leaves this will look like a
fern frond.

French Knot:

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

The French Knot is used as a filler stitch. It can also be used as small flowers and as an
element in larger flowers. To form the French Knot bring your needle up from the back of
the fabric and place the needle parallel to the fabric close to the exit point of the ribbon.
Wrap the ribbon around the needle by taking it over the top and back around under the
needle toward you. At this time bring the point of the needle against the fabric near, but not
in the same hole, where the ribbon came up.

Place your thumb to hold the ribbon and push the needle down through the fabric to the
back. Again be sure to keep the ribbon loose so that the needle can pull the ribbon through
the wraps forming your knot. Your French Knot can have one or more wraps. The more
wraps the larger the knot will be.

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

Beaded French Knot:

This stitch is used to create small flowers. In addition to the French Knot made as above
you will need a beading needle, sewing thread the color of the ribbon or the bead and a small
bead. When you have completed your French Knot bring the regular sewing thread on a
beading needle from the back up through the center of your French Knot, pick up a single
bead and take the needle back through the center of the French Knot beside the original
thread hole. This will look like a beaded center on a small flower.

On some occasions you may choose to use smaller beads and place three or more in the
center. If this is your choice each bead is attached in the same manner as the first bead. You
may also choose to begin your French Knot with a knot in the ribbon as an additional
variation.

Montano Knot:
The Montano Knot is a larger and looser form of the French Knot. It is made the same way
but your wraps will be much looser and you will use three wraps. This will make a fluffier
form of French Knot. This knot was designed by Judith Baker Montano and therefore
carries her name. It can be used alone or interspersed with regular French Knots.

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

Japanese Ribbon Stitch:

A hint for new stitchers: If you catch the ribbon on the wrong side before you pull it through the
fabric pinch it slightly between your thumb and forefinger. As you pull it will cause the sides to
curve in giving your Japanese Ribbon Stitch a fine point. As you practice this stitch it will become
easier to point where you no longer need the extra control measures.

The Japanese Ribbon Stitch and it's variations are used for leaves and flower petals. The ribbon
is brought from the back to the top of the fabric. Move the ribbon in the direction you will be
placing your stitch. Turn your needle upright and pierce the ribbon through the center of the
ribbon and down through the fabric. As you pull the ribbon keep it smooth using your finger,
trolly needle or yarn needle.

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

Side Ribbon Stitch:

This is a variation of the Japanese Ribbon Stitch. It is made exactly the way the regular
Japanese Ribbon Stitch is made with one exception. As you pierce the needle through the
ribbon and the fabric in the Side Ribbon Stitch, in place of piercing in the center of the
ribbon, you will pierce to one side or the other. This will cause your end to point with a
larger curl to one side. Decide which way you want the larger curl and pierce on the opposite
side of the ribbon. The location of the leaf or petal will determine on which side you want the
larger curl.

Raised Japanese Ribbon Stitch:

The Raised Japanese Ribbon Stitch begins the same as all of the ribbon stitching. At the
point where you are smoothing the ribbon push the ribbon back toward the point it came up
through the fabric so the ribbon lifts off the surface and forms a slight hump. Pierce the
ribbon in the middle keeping the ribbon raised as you complete the stitch. This raised effect
can be used with all of the Japanese Ribbon Stitches.

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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

Pistil Stitch:
The Pistil Stitch is used to make flowers, antennae on bugs and butterflies and in
conjunction with other stitches to make different flowers. Bring the ribbon from the back,
lay it out in the direction you want the stitch smoothing it across the fabric. Wrap the ribbon
smoothly around the end of the needle retaining the tension to hold the ribbon flat. Turn the
needle and pierce the fabric as you did in the French Knot. This stitch actually forms a
French Knot on the end of a ribbon stem.

This completes the stitches for lesson one, it now requires just practice to become familiar with
the stitches and learn the feel of the ribbon and tension. Work on forming each stitch so it is loose,
smooth and lush. Remember there is no wrong way to form the stitches there are just new stitches
and variations to the existing stitches.

If you plan to use just the design shown, the branches are too long and out of proportion only to
allow the stitches to be shown and named. I would suggest that you at least half the length of the
branches. It is not unusual to have the flower overlap the leaves or a leaf cover a portion of a
flower. After you have finished stitching this design try designing something else using the stitches
you have learned in Lesson 1.

Use the bulletin board with any questions You can also email me directly or send a sample of any
problem you are having. Nora

Creeach

P.O. Box 759

Quinlan TX 75474
Email:Nora@CraftyCollege.com

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Nora Creeach
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Silk Ribbon Embroidery Lesson 1

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