Several weeks ago a student of mine arrived in class and was very excited about her garage sale treasures of the previous weekend.  Apparently she had landed in the midst of a garage sale set up by someone once in the upholstery and decorative trims business. I was plaid with envy as she displayed for us all several bundles of 5” length sample pieces of  richly embroidered edgings and sumptuous gathered ribbon trims.

I fell in love with one particular ribbon trim design and after class I went directly to my studio stash of silk and polyester ribbons. and began to work on re-creating as best I could, this very beautiful and versatile ribbon trim design to use for my own work.

This trim is too lovely to keep secret in my own private treasure trove of embellishing ideas and I want to share it with all of you.

Sewing machine & edge stitching or general-purpose foot

General sewing supplies

12” ruler

Pencil

Scotch tape

1 yard of ½” wide twill tape in a color coordinated to your selected ribbons

3 one -yard lengths of Sheer Chiffon or silk ribbon 7/8” to1” (22mm) wide

3 one-yard lengths of 100% silk, Chiffon or polyester ribbon 1/8” (3mm) wide

Note: Choose colors that will either coordinate, contrast with one another or create a soft monochromatic color way.

Example: 1 yd each of light green, dark green and mauve chiffon or silk ribbon 1” wide.1 yd light pink silk ribbon, and two 1 yd lengths champagne color; all three 1/8” wide

1. Using scotch tape secure the 1 yd length of twill tape to your work surface

2. Gather all 6 lengths of selected ribbons in 1 yd. lengths together and pin or baste together at one end. See illustrated step 2.

3. Measure 1” in from the left side of the twill tape and pin or baste the ribbons to the twill at that point See illustrated step 4

4. Measure down from the top of the ribbons 2 ½” and mark with pencil. Measure down another 2 ½” and mark ribbon.. At the first 2 ½” mark place pointer finger of  left hand and press it down against the ribbon and work surface to keep ribbons in position. 

5. Loop the ribbons around a finger and Pinch the ribbons together tightly. Pin securely to twill tape and measure down from there 2 ½” as you did in step 4.

6. Now, with right hand hold onto the 6 ribbons below the pointer finger at first 2 ½” point, loop the ribbons over finger and pinch ribbons together at the second 2 ½” mark. Bring the ribbons up to the twill tape.  See step 5

7. Pin to twill tape about 1/8” away from where you pinned the ribbons in step 4 See illustration

8. Now repeat the above steps  from #4 through #7. 

9. Attach an edge-stitching or general-purpose foot onto your machine. Use matching threads in the bobbin and top spool  and stitch the pinned sections of ribbon securely to the twill tape along the entire edge