Ribbon Embroidery

Ribbon embroidery is not as exact as other forms of needlework. There are as many
variations to these stitches as there are designers who use them. The size of the stitch
and how they are used (singly, in a row, or in a mass) and the size of the ribbon will
all have an effect. Always read the designer's notes for best results. The following
instructions are intended to serve as a basic guide. READ the directions for each stitch
before beginning.

Threading the Needle

Couching Stitch

Feather Stitch

French Knot

Lazy Daisy-Detached Chain

Looped Petal Flower

Ribbon Stitch, Japanese Ribbon Stitch

Spider Web Rose

Stem Stitch Rose

Straight Stitch

Threading The Needle

Use a 12 to 14 inch length of ribbon.

STEP ONE: Slip the ribbon through the needle.

STEP TWO: Pierce the ribbon 1/2 inch from the end.

Pull the length of the ribbon to lock it on the needle.

Couching Stitch

Bring the ribbon that is to be couched to the top at A and down loosely at B. Tack it in
place with a perpendicular stitch that crosses it by coming to the top at 1 and down at
2, adjusting the tension of the horizontal ribbon with each perpendicular stitch. Repeat
at 3 and 4, 5 and 6. Refer to the chart for the direction and length of the ribbon and the
couching stitch.

Feather Stitch

Bring the needle to the top at 1 and down at 2, holding the ribbon loose on top of the
fabric.

Bring the needle to the top at 3, catching the loop and reinserting at 4.
Again, bring the needle to the top at 5, catching the loop and reinsert at 6.

French Knot

Bring the needle to the front. Wrap the needle 1 to 3 times keeping the ribbon flat
against the needle.

Insert the needle back into the fabric. Pull the needle to the back.

The knot will have less chance of pulling through the fabric (especially Aida with it's
larger hole) if you do not go down in the same hole as you came up in.

Lazy-Daisy - Detached Chain

Bring the needle to the front at 1 and down at 2, forming a loop.

Anchor the loop by coming up at 3, inside the loop, and going down at 4, outside the
loop.

Looped Petal Flower

This is a fragile flower. Use pins to hold the petal loop until all petals are finished and
the center is worked.

Bring the needle to the front at 1, pin it at the fold.

Insert the needle at 2, catching the base of the petal.

After all loops are worked, add a French Knot or beads in the center.

Japanese Ribbon Stitch

Bring the needle to the front at 1. Hold the ribbon flat and with a little give.

Pierce the ribbon in the center at 2.

Pull the ribbon gently down through itself until it curls at the top.

Spider Web Rose

Step One: Use perle cotton or floss. Bring the needle to the front at 1 and down at 2,
forming a loop.

Catch the loop by bringing the needle to the top at 3, (which becomes the center of the
rose) and taking it again to the back at 4.

Add a stitch of the same length on each side (5 to 6 and 7 to 8) forming 5 spokes.
Step Two: Using the ribbon, come up in the center of the spokes and weave over and
under the spokes.

Keep the ribbon loose and allow it to twist. Continue until the spokes are covered.

Stem Stitch Rose

Begin with a French Knot, A.

Work from the knot toward the outside of the flower.

Bring the needle to the top at 1 and down at 2 and up again at 3. (Point 3 will be
midway between 1 and 2.) Gently pull the ribbon to the top at 3.

Repeat by inserting the needle at 4 and up at 5. Keep the ribbon loose as you work
your way around the flower. (B through I or more.)

Straight Stitch
Bring the needle to the top at 1 and down at 2.

Keep the ribbon flat. Refer to the chart for the length and direction of the stitch.