Ribbon Trims (Embellishment Idea Books)

Ribbon Trims (Embellishment Idea Books)

by: Nancy Nehring

Topics include: triple box pleats, continuous running stitch, triple pleats, next pleat, finished trim, trim cannot, base ribbon, double pleats, two pleats, one selvage, next motif, gauge method, folded ribbon, ribbon width, stitching line, finished length, last fold

Book Description:

Editorial Reviews -- Book Description -- Working with ribbon is becoming increasingly popular, and these designs go beyond the usual floral types available. The methods in this book are easily adapted to designs of varying lengths and are perfect for embellishing garments, drawing together floral designs and home decoration applications. The reader can put a delicate ribbon trim on a jacket or turn a simple pillow into an heirloom with a band of ornate ribbon trim around the edge.

A total of 48 heirloom techniques are covered, with beautiful full-color photos and clear, step-by-step instructions illustrated with drawings. The techniques included here are easy for anyone to do and make great portable projects. Many of the embellishments can be created on a sewing machine, saving time and effort. Trims range from the simple to the ornate for different moods and styles. Many sewers, especially ribbon-embroidery enthusiasts, will find a wealth of inspiration in this handy book.

Ribbon Trims teaches you how to turn any ribbon into a great trim! Create more than 45 different styles of continuous trim to decorate your clothing, pillows, curtains, accessories, tablecloths, and much more.

Every trim can be varied to suit your style and needs, whether you want a great shell edge for a wedding dress, a vintage-style trim for a pillow, or a sharp geometric look for the edge of that picture frame. Step-by-step instructions and inspiring photos make trying these great new and vintage techniques a breeze.

Rick rack isn't the right trim for that evening dress you're making? Satin ribbon with lace edges won't do on that wool tweed suit? Can't ever find the right color or texture of ribbon that you want? Well, you can make your own ribbon trims and even your own ribbon and not be limited to the generic trims and standard materials that you find in the fabric store.

Ribbon trims are long lengths of ribbon that are gathered, pleated, twisted, or looped into decorative trims. Ribbon trims can be made in any size, shape, and color you might want. They have real personalities -- frilly, feminine, sexy, sophisticated -- so one is always right for whatever use you have in mind.

Occasionally, a ribbon trim is the focal point of a design, but more often it is the glue that ties different elements of the design together. Trims accent other design features. When used between motifs or sections, trims lead the eye from one to the next. A trim finishes an edge, such as a sleeve or hem, and leads the eye around, holding attention on the design. Trims can frame a face, either from the neck edge or from the edge on a hat.

This book is a collection of my favorite trims with step-by-step instructions that tell you how to make each one. Many of the trims are shown in a fancy ribbon, accented with beads, buttons, or other small objects, or combined with lace, braid, or other ribbons to help you imagine the variety of ways each trim might be used.

My inspiration comes from eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and early-twentieth-century clothing, which was often decorated with ribbon trims, and from my collection of Victorian fashion books. The patterns were collected one at a time and often consisted of a close-up photo of a museum piece or an engraving in an old book. I felt I had hit pay dirt the day I found five trims on a single page in an 1867 Godey's Ladies Book. Even then, in typical Victorian fashion, the complete instructions consisted of a one-page engraving of the finished pieces.

The samples shown in this book are made from ribbons purchased in chain fabric and craft stores. Like fabric, ribbons have a fashion season. The colors, textures, and designs change frequently. So don't expect to reproduce the examples here exactly. Use them as guides for making your own unique trims. Also, specialty shops, flea markets, mail-order sources, and the Internet are good places to look for more varieties of ribbon.
Enjoy!

Reviews:

Decorative trims for all occasions

Introduction

1 THE BASICS

Ribbon Types
Make Your Own Ribbon
Getting Started
Measuring Ribbon
Ending
Cleaning and Storing Ribbon Trims

2 QUILLED RIBBON TRIMS

Edge-Stitched Knife Pleats
Knife Pleats with Both Edges Stitched
Edge-Stitched Double and Triple Knife Pleats
Center-Stitched Knife Pleats
Center-Stitched Double and Triple Knife Pleats
Bent Knife Pleats
Pleated Scallops
Center-Stitched Box Pleats
Edge-Stitched Box Pleats
Box Pleats with Both Edges Stitched
Edge-Stitched Double and Triple Box Pleats
Center-Stitched Double and Triple Box Pleats
Paddlewheels
Pulled Box Plaits
Maltese Cross Plaits
Bow Ties
Tiny Bows
Flying Geese
Diamonds and Squares
Hexagons
Fans
Rosettes
Arrows

3 RUCHED RIBBON TRIMS

Edge Gather
Center Gather
Three-Layer Ruffle
Multiple Gathers
Gathers and Spaces
Shirred Gather
Shells
Half-Shells
Scalloped Edge
Semicircles
Tucked Gather
Corded Gather
Beading
Circles and Dots
Flutes
Ribbons and Bows

4 SMOCKED AND LOOPED RIBBON TRIMS

Shell Smocking
Lattice Smocking
Looped Ribbon
Two-Ribbon Looped Trim

5 TWISTED RIBBON TRIMS

Making Twisted Ribbon Trims
Zigzag Twist
Ribbon Prairie Points
Diamond Fence Rail
Square Fence Rail
Alternating Stripes
Shark's Teeth

Really wonderful book -- Since seeing some of candace kling's masterpieces in a threads' publication, i have been fascinated by what can be done with ribbons. i have a few other ribbon trim books, but they don't come near this one in terms of variety of techniques and quality of directions for ribbon trim. and its much cheaper than many other books that offer less. there are no ribbon flowers here, which is fine with me, since ribbon flowers are well covered in many other books. this book offers smocked, gathered, folded and looped linear trims, the kind that can turn a department store hat into something unique, or make a dress stand out, or give pillows a custom-upholstered air, just to dash off a few of the possiblities.

The photographs not only give really clear pictures of the finished products (not a universal characteristic of textile books), they are very well compposed (and amusing, like the illustration that combines a handmade ribbon trim with microchips). the directions are very good, not only for the experienced crafter, but even for the person who has never picked up a needle.

Some of the techniques might even work well for wrapping packages. i can just imagine the effect of christmas presents trimmed with some of the quicker types under the tree. Excellent book, excellent price.

I just got this book yesterday. Stayed up late going through it. It is well laid out, easy to follow instructions, great illustrations of the steps in making the trim and color photos of the finished result are inspriational. Spiral binding is great as well. If you are looking for different ways to trim clothing or household sewing projects, get this book.