Just a week after I started stitching this Gay Ann Rogers design, I have completed and cut out all three pieces, put the front flap on the front of the ornament (it lifts up to remove the cameo if required), and have made my tassels and cording to hang the ornament. All that remains is to put it together.
Here's a photo of the flap before I cut it out and attached the cameo button. If you have a piece of jewelry to remove, the ornament is pretty enough to hang on its own until you put the broach back.
I hope to have it finished by tomorrow.
I did want to mention a few things about the silk ribbon roses and French knots that decorate this piece. The instructions say to do all the roses first, then all the French knots, and I discovered this makes a lot of sense. It is easier to do all the roses and then add French knots at the end. Your needle doesn't snag as much. You still need to be careful, however. There's a lot packed into a small space.
In making silk ribbon embroidery roses, you start with a star shape, and then weave the ribbon over and under the star's legs. Like this-
http://www.embroidery-methods.com/ribbon-rose.html
Things that helped me make nice roses is to always start with a star that has an odd number of legs (3, 5, or 7 are typical for small, medium or large roses) and make sure that the legs are all the same length. You don't want to have a longer leg peeking out when you have completely covered all the others.
I like to wind the center tightly and then wind slightly less tightly as the rose grows. Note that the ribbon can and should twist as you wind. That makes the "petals" fold back a bit to reveal the center.
If you discover a ribbon sticks up more than it should, don't unwind the rose. A tiny stitch will pull it back down into position and if you are careful, will be invisible.
Use a sharp needle with a big eye, like a crewel needle, whenever possible. I stuck with my John James #24 gold tapestry needle for my ribbon roses but a sharp needle would have pierced the ribbon on the back side easier when I accidentally sewed through some of the ribbon on the back.
French knots in ribbon are stitched the same way they are with any thread. They look like tiny rose buds, too!
This is a very pretty project. I am almost tempted to stitch it again in gold and red on black 18 count canvas to have a place to display a gorgeous costume jewelry ruby broach that belonged to my cousin.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow
