How to Make 100
Ribbon Embellishments:
Trims, Rosettes, Sculptures, and
Baubles for Fashion, Décor, and Crafts
By Elaine Schmidt
Creative Publishing
International 2014
Paperback, £16.99 UK ($24.99 US)
ISBN 978-1-58923-790-2
Star rating: ****
Ribboncraft is very important to papercrafters. A ribbon
embellishment on a card, gift, or scrapbook page often provides a
show-stopping finishing touch. Here’s an
ace new ribboncraft book that is chock-full of inventive ideas. Lots of
construction techniques are employed – there
are stitched, woven, and cut-and-glued
designs – so there’s something for everyone. This is a book of woven-textile
ribbon techniques (lots of grosgrain) – but for crafters who think beyond the
ribbon reel, many of the designs can be interpreted in paper.
If you are a fan of fabric manipulation (Colette Wolff’s book on the subject is a perennial bestseller), then this book will tick all
the boxes for you. I have several vintage ribboncraft titles in my personal book stash – and there
are tricks in Elaine Schmidt’s book that I’ve never seen.
The book is divided into four sections: Trims and Braids, Rosettes
and Leaves, Ribbon Sculptures,
and Beads and Baubles.
The Trims and Braids
section is a masterclass – lots of fancy moves. Some sewing experience is
recommended for many of these designs –
your stitchery efforts will be rewarded.
Some star turns: Wrapped Candy Ribbon
Trim – a row of bonbons! Shell
Smocking: undulating ripples. (Having said that, there are a few folded
trimmings – such as Diamonds and Squares – that
I am keen to try using strips of paper.)
There are also several woven designs that could be interpreted in paper
using quilling strips: Woven Ribbon Band,
for example. In this section, you will also find how-tos for woven lanyards (familiar
from summer camp). These work a treat in ribbon (although too dimensional to
adorn greetings cards, they could be used to decorate 3-D projects).
Paper flowers are mega-popular at the moment, so the
Rosettes and Leaves section is right on trend – why not ribbon blooms? Here, you
will find medallions, cockades, and magnificent bows. Standout designs include The Ribbon Medallion (spiralling loops
with a gathered rosette centre and notched ribbon tails), and the Fan Rosette. Some of non-gathered designs
could be worked using strips of paper.
Like amigurumi? – the
Ribbon Sculptures section will appeal
to you. Here, you will find a collection of ornaments created by “folding,
looping, and gluing ribbons into shapes that represent objects, characters, and
animals.” Looking for an ornament for a
kid’s card? – Your quest is over!
Although many of the designs are too twee for my taste, there’s no denying that
this is genius material. There’s a loopy Butterfly with a spiral-ribbon body, a
fun goldfish, and a cute Beetle Bug
(ladybird/ladybug). The folded ribbon Strawberries are delightful.
The Beads and Baubles
section contains lots of fun material. Corkscrew curls in the Korker Pom-Pom, the origami-like Paddlewheels, tassels, Rolled Ribbon Beads, and a Knotted Ribbon Star. All of these ideas
have legs! If you are into beading, then
there are several attractive methods for incorporating ribbon into the beaded
construction of a strand.
Lover of fabric manipulation that I am, I‘m surprised at
myself for even thinking this – the book might have benefited from containing a
few more conventional bows. Most of the
featured bows are rosettes, so a few
more linear designs would have provided variety. There’s another book there,
perhaps.
The intros to each section are well-written, entertaining,
and informative. The author is knowledgeable and has a good handle on her
ribboncraft history. Her great
appreciation for the subject is clearly visible (bet she has a massive ribbon
hoard in her sewing cupboard). The how-to photography is clear and to the
point.
The book does seem a bit pricey for a paperback – but
good things come in small packages. You get plenty of clever ideas for the
money.
Note: I was provided with a review copy of this title.
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