About Silk Ribbon Embroidery (SRE)

Silk Ribbon Embroidery has been practised since the 17th. Century.

It fell out of favour for some time, BUT since the late 1990's is back in style.

These days there are many types of ribbon to choose from, with a wide variety in colours, textures and widths. Silk is the most suitable because of it's soft texture and shapes well, but other types can be effective in different situations.

When you are first learning this technique, use a fabric with a weave that will allow the needle and ribbon to pull through easily. I find for my beginners that a linen is the best to use, the threads move aside well and still looks effective. On a more advanced project you cannot beat Dupioni Silk.

The look with the Silk Ribbon and Silk Fabric is rich and luxurious, and the colours zing.

You can use satin, cotton, organza, velvet, denim, moire and other silk blends, but take care as the threads pull in some fabrics.

Spider Web Rose.

So simple for a beginner, made by weaving and curling the ribbon through spokes. Ribbon Stitch leaves and Detached Chain Bud. Sweet and Petite

with many uses and applications.

I know there are a lot of scrap bookers out there

( sorry I am not one - only from lacking in time)

but ribbon embroidery can also be applied here. The embellishments that you are purchasing can be handmade with so many more options just from scraps you may have in your stash. Five Petal Flower is one such flower. 

If your thought is that Silk Ribbon Embroidery needs to be an Embroidery on its own merit on a fabric panel, think again it can be included in other crafts, such as Crazy Quilting, Journaling, Textile Art Projects, Clothing, Accessories.