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All of our books, patterns, pleaters and accessories are uploaded but we're still working on the site and will have EVERYTHING up asap.
"Silk Ribbon Supplies"
A note from Beth-Katherine Kaiman, Main Fairy. Working with silk ribbon is one of the joys in my life. It's so substantial as opposed to just working with cotton floss, plus it's easier to see what you are working on as with just a few stitches and you have a flower. The 3 dimensional effect really spruces up otherwise drab clothing. My favorite thing to do on my daughter's denim shirts is to embroider flowers (especially now that she's outgrown smocked clothing). To see a few samples of my work please go to this page Silk Ribbon Samples (and feel free to send in pictures of your own work for show and tell). Using different sizes of ribbon in your projects adds dimension and interest. When combining the sizes keep in mind that 7 mm covers a lot of area and may or may not dwarf your 4 mm. 2 mm is used a lot in embroideries for dolls and doll house miniatures and miniature quilts. When working with the different sized ribbons you can use a Tapestry #26 needle but the 13mm ribbon really needs a bigger eye, a size Tapestry #22 or #24 has a big enough eye to thread your ribbon through. Dollmakers and Miniaturists take note: I had a customer who used 2 mm exclusively in her doll-house sized satin and silk velvet crazy quilts and bedding. Her color scheme was so subtle as she primarily used were pale pastel tones of beige and mauve with a pale green for foliage. So pretty. The color numbers she used are #156 Ivory, #160 Mauvey Beige, #31 Pale French Green, #161 Goldish Beige, & #162 & 164 one shade darker that on Ivory satin, silks & velvets (different textures) - see YLI Color Card on page 2. (I really should make up a sample for you to see - the combination is exqusite.) Embroidery Tip: Instead of using one size ribbon with all your projects, try sprinkling different size ribbons for the different sized flowers you find in nature. Also try Yli Silk Floss or Rajmahal (Silk and Rayon Floss) for stems of flowers or branches rather than ribbon. This will make your embroidery "POP"" with a 3 dimensional look and feel, and appear more balanced, realistic and life like. Try it some time when planning a new piece and you'll see what I mean. You can vary the size of your flowers while using 4mm ribbon but adding in 2mm or 7mm adds such a nice touch. Try 13mm for a real thrill.
Working with silk ribbon is one of the joys in my life. It's so substantial as opposed to just working with cotton floss, plus it's easier to see what you are working on as with just a few stitches and you have a flower. The 3 dimensional effect really spruces up otherwise drab clothing. My favorite thing to do on my daughter's denim shirts is to embroider flowers (especially now that she's outgrown smocked clothing). To see a few samples of my work please go to this page Silk Ribbon Samples (and feel free to send in pictures of your own work for show and tell).
Using different sizes of ribbon in your projects adds dimension and interest. When combining the sizes keep in mind that 7 mm covers a lot of area and may or may not dwarf your 4 mm. 2 mm is used a lot in embroideries for dolls and doll house miniatures and miniature quilts. When working with the different sized ribbons you can use a Tapestry #26 needle but the 13mm ribbon really needs a bigger eye, a size Tapestry #22 or #24 has a big enough eye to thread your ribbon through.
Dollmakers and Miniaturists take note:
I had a customer who used 2 mm exclusively in her doll-house sized satin and silk velvet crazy quilts and bedding. Her color scheme was so subtle as she primarily used were pale pastel tones of beige and mauve with a pale green for foliage. So pretty. The color numbers she used are #156 Ivory, #160 Mauvey Beige, #31 Pale French Green, #161 Goldish Beige, & #162 & 164 one shade darker that on Ivory satin, silks & velvets (different textures) - see YLI Color Card on page 2. (I really should make up a sample for you to see - the combination is exqusite.)
Embroidery Tip:
Instead of using one size ribbon with all your projects, try sprinkling different size ribbons for the different sized flowers you find in nature. Also try Yli Silk Floss or Rajmahal (Silk and Rayon Floss) for stems of flowers or branches rather than ribbon. This will make your embroidery "POP"" with a 3 dimensional look and feel, and appear more balanced, realistic and life like. Try it some time when planning a new piece and you'll see what I mean. You can vary the size of your flowers while using 4mm ribbon but adding in 2mm or 7mm adds such a nice touch. Try 13mm for a real thrill.
An Excellent Beginner's Manual that we recommend.
Silk ribbon embroidery is a wonderful and beautiful art form that is easy to do. In order to get started we recommend any of the Books listed in our Silk Books section. If your budget is small (but your heart is big) then the book by Deanna Hall West An Encyclopedia of Ribbon Embroidery - 131 Flowers is a great place to start. You will also need some ribbon and needles and if you don't know what to make then how about a lavender sachet bag using Faille (see fabrics, or make a sachet with velvet. Both of these items are quick and easy to make up.
We have made up some assortment bags of 4mm ribbon in 10 one-yard lengths in pinks, reds, yellows or greens (other assortments to follow as this site grows). I recommend getting one or two of these assortments (pinks & greens) and one of the assortment needle packs (see Needles) along with a book. If you read the introduction to any of these books which tell you how to handle ribbon (keeping it straight is a must as your ribbon will like to twist a lot) you will be well on your way to creating masterpieces of your own.
Also see Ann's excellent companion volume on the silk books page.
(Please check out these pages lots of goodies)
We have started a SRE FAQ page here. If you wish to add your comments and suggestions by all means email them to us and I will add them in.
Silk Ribbon Combinations Packs
Ten one yard lengths combinations of 2mm or 4mm for $6.75
Silk Satin Ribbon - Double Faced - Three widths available at this time
I found this lovely ribbon years ago on an antique doll's bonnet. It was so soft and lovely to the touch that I spent a while hunting down a new source. Well I finally found one and am starting with the following colors, if you would like more colors please let me know. Lush up your smocking projects by adding this luxurious ribbon as bonnet ties, woven through beading or whatever your creativity inspires you to do. Can be painted with silk paints, pigma pens or instant set dyes (coming soon) for ribbon roses and because it's silk this ribbon folds so beautifully and nicely into roses.Please note that this old cart sadly has a mind of it's own with adding in fractions of yardage as the total price changes. We here at the garden are aware of this and will adjust your invoice to the proper price. 3/4" wide (18mm), Ivory or Light Blue $2.25 per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Light Blue 1/2" wide (12mm), Ivory, Light Blue, Light Pink, Maize, Mint Green, or Lilac $1.75 per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Pink Light Blue Mint Green Maize Lilac 1/8" wide (4mm) perfect for ribbon weaving in smocking: Ivory, Light Blue, Pink, Red, or Lilac 85ยข per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Pink Light Blue Red Lilac Hand Painted Silk Ribbons
I found this lovely ribbon years ago on an antique doll's bonnet. It was so soft and lovely to the touch that I spent a while hunting down a new source. Well I finally found one and am starting with the following colors, if you would like more colors please let me know. Lush up your smocking projects by adding this luxurious ribbon as bonnet ties, woven through beading or whatever your creativity inspires you to do. Can be painted with silk paints, pigma pens or instant set dyes (coming soon) for ribbon roses and because it's silk this ribbon folds so beautifully and nicely into roses.
Please note that this old cart sadly has a mind of it's own with adding in fractions of yardage as the total price changes. We here at the garden are aware of this and will adjust your invoice to the proper price.
3/4" wide (18mm), Ivory or Light Blue
$2.25 per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Light Blue
1/2" wide (12mm), Ivory, Light Blue, Light Pink, Maize, Mint Green, or Lilac
$1.75 per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Pink Light Blue Mint Green Maize Lilac
1/8" wide (4mm) perfect for ribbon weaving in smocking: Ivory, Light Blue, Pink, Red, or Lilac
85ยข per yard Yardage requested Select Fraction of Yardage 1/4 yard 3/8 yard 1/2 yard 5/8 yard 3/4 yard 7/8 yard Select color Ivory Pink Light Blue Red Lilac
Hand Painted Silk Ribbons
Hand-painted Silk Ribbon is very beautiful and adds a dimension of color to your embroideries you won't find with regular colors. Working with color is very therapeutic indeed and when you have some of the most beautiful colors at your finger tips which allow your imagination to flow free - ah, now that's bliss.
We carry carry four lines of hand-painted ribbons: "YLI Hand Dyed Ribbons", "Gloriana Ribbons", "Elegance to Dye For" & River Silks Hand Dyed Variegated Silk Ribbon. YLI is colorfast and can be used safely on washable projects. The Hand Dyed ribbon companies Elegance to Dye For and Gloriana Ribbons recommend that you hand wash in cool water with mild soap.
Needles for Silk Ribbon Embroidery (More? See also Notions)
25 needle assortment of all the needles you'll ever need for every size ribbon you will ever work with from 2mm to 13mm
The all-round perfect collection of needles to work with the larger sized ribbons such as 7mm & 13mm.
The best sized eye of the blunt tipped needles for working with 4mm ribbon.
Same size as the Tapestry needle with a sharp point.
The best sized eye of the blunt tipped needles for working with 2mm ribbon.
Same needles as above but more of them..
Fabrics Suitable for Silk Ribbon Embroidery
Yli Silk Ribbons & lots more on Page 2
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