If you've been following me on Instagram, you may have noticed I have a slight obsession with using silk ribbon work on my needlepoint pieces. There is something so special about the way silk ribbon adds dimension and texture to a canvas that thread alone simply cannot replicate. Once you try it, there's really no going back! I especially love stitching with Treenway Silks and have curated my favorites here, many of which are hand-dyed with color changes that occur at 1½ to 2 inch intervals. It is a thrill to see the colors change as you stitch, all while adding gorgeous dimension to your piece.
I've been sharing short tutorial videos on Instagram for three of my favorite ribbon work techniques, and I wanted to gather them all here in one place so you have an easy reference whenever you're ready to give them a try. Whether you're brand new to ribbon work or looking to add a few more techniques to your repertoire, I hope these are helpful!
Fork Bow
The Fork Bow is such a great starting point if you're new to ribbon work. I love this technique because it creates a clean, structured bow with beautifully controlled loops. All you need is an actual dinner fork to form them! It is so much more approachable than it looks, I promise. I used this technique to add a bow to my Reindeer Snow Globe and Baby's First Christmas ornament.
Woven Wheel Roses
Woven Wheel Roses (aka Spider Web Roses) are made by laying down a simple 5-point spoke foundation and then weaving ribbon over and under each spoke in a spiral. The result is a full, dimensional rose. The trick is to keep a loose tension on the ribbon so it can form organic, billowy, petal-like loops. Once you get the rhythm, they come together so quickly! I find these are a technique that stitchers of all levels fall in love with immediately. I like to pepper in French Knots in the areas between the roses to fill out the space around them. I used this technique on my Rome Round and Love Letter canvases.
Colonial Knot + Running Stitch Roses
This one is such a fun combination. You start with a Colonial Knot, then work a Running Stitch down the ribbon towards the canvas. Once the ribbon is pulled through, the Running Stitch folds down into a spiral accordion, secured with a beautiful Colonial Knot in the center. I love using this pairing when I want a rose that feels a little looser and more painterly. I used this on my Santorini Round and Love Bug canvases.
A Few Tips Before You Start
Ribbon work on needlepoint is wonderfully forgiving once you get the hang of it. Here are a few things I've learned along the way:
You do not need to follow the painted intersections
For areas on your canvas with a cluster of flowers, you can "freestyle" with ribbon.
Keep your tension gentle
Ribbon doesn't behave like thread. Pulling too tight will flatten all that lovely dimension you're working so hard to create! Looser tensions really showcase the beautiful ribbon and add organic volume.
Untwist your ribbon after each stitch
After each stitch, I like to let the thread hang down from the canvas and unravel so the ribbon does not get twisted and distorted.
I hope these tutorials inspire you to give ribbon work a try! It is such a satisfying technique and adds so much life to a finished piece. I'd love to see what you create, so please tag me on Instagram so I can cheer you on!
