Ribbon Embroidery - my first attempt

Ribbon embroidery has been on my mind for quite a while now..what with all the beautiful works that are real works of art. My love for sewing, embroidery and the crafts was pushing me to go on..but the fear of failure was holding me back. I have been in the mean time trying to watch videos on the stitches used and knowing embroidery really helped to understand things better. And so finally I decided to give it a try and here it is my first attempt at ribbon embroidery. It was fun to work with the ribbons. Although I soon realized that satin ribbon embroidery like it looks in the videos is not really so easy, it requires a lot of patience and the ribbons have to be handled with care to create the right effects. I used satin ribbons for the roses and organza for the leaves.

TAST Week 17 Wheatear Stitch

TAST Week 17 has wheatear stitch as the chosen stitch. This is one new stitch for me and the challenge was all about learning how to get it right. The stitch as the name suggests looks like wheat when done in a series.

A google search and the links to TAST showed that you are truly restricted by only your imagination. There are a number of permutations and combinations possible with the Wheatear stitch. A decorative stitch it can be coupled with other stitches to create a dramatic effect or simply used on its own for that lovely look.

I found Sarah's hand embroidery tutorial on the stitch extremely helpful. The stitch as I have discovered after many searches and tutorials later is best done from top to bottom.The stitch has been easy to learn and fun to work with however, for a beginner practise is required to keep it even throughout.
Would also like to share here a work in soft pastels.

TAST Week 16 French Knot

Making a new beginning with TAST Week 16 French Knot The French Knot is beautiful stitch that can make almost any work look beautiful and elegant. So this was just what I needed to make a good start - the French knot. Here is a video by the famous Mary Corbet who makes embroidery look so simple and easy.

In her post Sharon mentions the common mistake that is often made of inserting the needle back into the same hole. Also another thing one needs to keep in mind is that while twisting the thread onto the needle make sure that the needle faces the opposite direction. A simple stitch that needs a little practice and attention to detail and you can be sure of amazing results.

I have worked a small sample here with the centre done in French Knot and the outer circle in Buttonhole stitch. I have used a regular sewing needle (not an embroidery needle with a big eye) and three strands of embroidery floss(twisted twice on the needle)for the pattern.

Here are a few links on how to make french knots. I am sure these resources would be helpful to beginners looking to learn the stitch

Sarah's Tutorial on the french knot

Needlenthread

Sharon's stitch dictionary

The beginning of a sewing journey

This blog is a result of all the blog hopping that I have done in the past couple of years..many many blogs later(have lost count of the number of sewing and embroidery blogs that I have been to)..I have finally gathered the courage to start a blog of my own..and Lord ..am I thrilled:). The world of sewing and embroidery that exists here in the blogosphere is simply amazing and has to be seen to be believed..the ideas, the projects and the intricate works have been so motivating. I love sewing and embroidery, however, most of the times get started on a project but finishing it takes ages. So when I did see Sharon's TAST(Take a Stitch Tuesday) I said to myself that yes, this is just what I need to get going and sew away. Learning new stitches, techniques of sewing, linking to the beautiful websites, organizing and maintaining a diary of the works that I put together with neddle and thread is what this blog is all about. My journey into the world of sewing and embroidery begins right here:)...be with me.