I love receiving little packages in the post. They usually contain something exciting and provide light relief from the boring brown or white envelopes that drop through our letterbox all too frequently containing instructions to 'pay within 14 days'. Last week the colourful contents of one particular package truly brightened my day.
It contained a wonderful selection of silk ribbons for embroidery. I've had a small selection for a while but wanted to extend the range so that I can experiment with some of the ideas I've seen in books.
I never cease to be amazed at the huge variety of recognisable flowers it is possible to create from stitching ribbon onto fabric. For the best results it has to be fine silk ribbon and its advisable to use the true flower colours.
I decided not to be too ambitious to begin with. My first attempts were somewhat experimental and I'm not convinced you would recognise the flower but it supposed to be a wild rose!!
These could be tulips but sadly the leaves are wrong!
I was reasonably satisfied with my first attempts and decided I'd try and put them to good use so looked through some crazy quilting books for ideas. No two pieces of fabric are the same shape and the stitching line between each is masked by a variety of embroidered stitches. In other words 'do what you like, where you like and in any colour you like'. Mistakes aren't easily seen and virtually anything is permissible (just my sort of thing!)
But what to make with a piece of crazy quilting? I turned to 'Romantic Keepsakes' which contains sumptuous pictures of pretty things to stitch in a distinctly Victorian style. A pin cushion seemed a good idea.
I always squirrel away even my smallest off-cuts so spent a happy afternoon mixing and matching fabric and thread. After stitching together little pieces of rose patterned fabric I added my ribbon flowers. Finally I embroidered over each stitched line in threads of toning shades and it was done.
I'd created a circular piece of crazy quilting. I worked a running stitch around the outside edge and gathered the fabric to make a mushroom shape which I then stuffed firmly. I stitched the 'stuffed mushroom' onto a base that I'd made earlier (from a circular piece of thick card covered with fabric). Finally I covered the stitches with some gold cord and the job was complete.
The result....a Victorian style pin cushion.
It was such fun to make that I'm now planning the next one!
Eli this is beautiful, I love the pin cushion you have created and the silk embroidery is so pretty and effective, please don't start me looking into doing something else!! I really love the little silk flowers what a pleasure to create. The pin cushion is a little treasure so pretty in itself and useful too.
What a lovely parcel to have delivered, 'I want one'lol...
Jan
Posted by: Redwood House | 22 January 2009 at 09:27 AM
Hello
I have just found your delightful blog and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed looking at it. Your pincushion is lovely and I adore your little knitted dolls.
Best wishes
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | 22 January 2009 at 09:37 AM
It's too pretty to use!!! I love your fabric choices as well as the beads and buttons you added. Even the three floral pins you have in use are delightful. Well done...I can't wait to see some more!
Fondly,
natalie jo
Posted by: natalie jo | 23 January 2009 at 05:38 PM
What fun to come here and see that you've just received in the mail the same ribbon emroidery book I did a few days ago!
I've made many similar pincushions! Aren't they fun?! And addictive! Your's is gorgeous!
Posted by: Lisa/IvoryBlushRoses | 24 January 2009 at 03:59 PM
My Dear Eli,
You are an incredible seamstress!!! I have that same book about Silk Ribbon Embroidery and you have inspired me to give it a go! Your flowers turned out beautiful and are very recognizable! I love the crazy quilting and your fabric choices are perfect! I have always wanted to try my hand at that too. Just look at what you have created and all those pretty stitches!!! The pincushion you made looks like an antique! It is sure to become a family heirloom! Thank you for sharing your handiwork! You are always an inspiration! I look forward to seeing the next one. The fabrics are lovely.
Have a blessed week!
Paula
Posted by: Paula | 27 January 2009 at 01:04 AM
Oh my, Eli! I have wanted to learn ribbon embroidery for some time now!
You have inspired me to go and look for your book and give it a try.
Your pincushion is amazing! Your little flowers are so sweet. I just love it all!
xxx
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie | 27 January 2009 at 10:38 AM
I've always wanted to have a go at this but haven't gotten around to it YET - I bought a book...
Posted by: carolyn | 28 January 2009 at 05:42 PM
Eli,
Your pin cushion is absolutely beautiful! The little details are just exquisite! (love the pins too) I love silk ribbon embroidery and I think you did a lovely job! You are so talented.
Blessings,
Selia
Posted by: Selia | 28 January 2009 at 07:06 PM
Did you also make the pins yourself?
You create wonderful things! The ribbon embroidery is something I want to try too...
Posted by: Sabine | 03 February 2009 at 07:32 AM
Your pincushion is sooo gorgeous!! You have inspired me to dig out my silk ribbon supplies!
Love, Heather
Posted by: Heather | 06 February 2009 at 05:18 AM