Secure Your Ribbons!

Tired of your silk ribbon falling out of the needle's eye?  Patricia Sone shows you how to secure the ribbon so it will never fall out.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3228663617441371

She is using River Silks silk ribbon, which is my preferred silk ribbon because it is so sturdy.  It is not a tender ribbon.  It is practically indistructable -although I don't advocate setting fire to it!  It also comes in  a many great colors and 4mm, 7mm and 13mm widths.  I never use anything else if I can help it.

You can't order from River Silks directly but your favorite shop will probably stock it. They are in the midst of moving to Virginia, so right now things are a little disorganized but their fabulous ribbons will be easily available again shortly.

https://riversilks.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 4, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Create Spring Lollipop Garden (Tamara Abdee)

Melita is taking Tamara Abdee's silk ribbon embroidery class called "Spring Lollipop Garden."

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/19/spring-lollipop-garden-by-tamara-abdee-day-1/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/04/20/spring-lollipop-garden-by-tamara-abdee-day-2/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/05/07/spring-lollipop-garden-by-tamara-abdee-grows/

Doesn't that look like FUN?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright APril 20, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Something Very Special

I was thrilled to see this lovely piece of silk ribbon embroidery, done by Cynthia Thomas for the 2025 Needlepoint Reunion. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=25510768528514767&set=a.509405429077756

It showcases Treenway silk threads and silk ribbons and was on display to let shops know just how magnificant their threads and ribbons are.  The design is from Anne Brinkley.

Here is the Treenway website if you'd like to browse and plan a purchase.

https://www.treenwaysilks.com/index.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Silk Ribbon Roses: The Movie

Coco Frank Studio demonstrates making ribbon roses with a Colonial knot and running stitches.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1389009942414877

It's pretty easy if you are familiar with Colonial knots, just a little fiddly.  Looks just like a rose when you are done!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ribbon Loops for Lupines: The Movie

Fire and Iris has made two quick tutorials for their Instagram account to demonstrate how to make little loops with silk ribbons for flowers.  The first video is optional, but it shows how to lock slippery silk ribbon into your needle and how to secure it on your canvas before stitching.  Useful stuff!  (Note:  the silk ribbon used is from River Silks.  You can sew right through it without damaging the ribbon.  It's my favorite silk ribbon for many reasons, but durability is #1.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLA016wvWnv/

The second tutorial shows step by step how to make loops in your ribbon that create a beautiful lupine. Click on the right side arrow to move through the steps.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLDYwLZv2HK/?img_index=1

Are you a visual learner?  Not to worry, Fire and Iris made a video showing all the steps if you'd rather watch than read what to do.  Once you make one loop, move up or down or to the side to make another, depending on how wide your lupine is painted.  Use your laying tool to move a previously done loop out of the way if necessary to see where to put your next loop.  Don't rush, just relax.  Silk ribbon embroidery is different than normal needlepoint stitches as you don't pull the ribbon tight in most cases.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLIgPwBv6ne/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Easy Flower and Buds: The Movie

This quick video has Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled demonstrating creating a flower with 7mm wide silk ribbon (that's the medium size ribbon from River Silks).  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZuBOlv6st/

Once Ruth creates the flower petals, she uses a Colonial knot for the bud, followed by a lazy daisy stitch on top to cover the Colonial knot which serves as padding for the bud.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Japanese Ribbon Stitch: The Movie Tutorial

Melissa at The Wool and The Floss demonstrates Japanese ribbon stitch.  (Spoiler:  It's very easy.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgkEmCPvjC/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More About Melita's Books

Melita Glavin shows off two books she got for Christmas:  New Twists on Needlework Embellishment (by Suzanne Howren and Beth Robertson) and Embellishments for Canvas (by Mary Lou Helgesen).

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/18/books-in-my-library-new-twists-on-needlework-embellishment-by-howren-and-robertson-and-embellishments-for-canvas-by-mary-lou-helgesen/

Melita found the sections on using silk ribbons especially interesting.  I own New Twists and found it interesting.  I've not seen the Mary Lou Helgesen book, but it was apparently a companion to her famous Nativity set.  Both are worth seeking out, especially if you are in Texas, which was Mary Lou's stomping ground.

The next set of books from Melita's library are all classics from June McKnight.  I find her Architectural Stitches especially helpful.  Plants and Animals is a good one, too.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/23/books-in-my-library-architectural-stitches-plants-and-animals-shading-and-thread-blending-techniques-decorative-backgrounds-and-more-backgrounds-by-june-mcknight/

Many shops carry June's books but if there's one you can't find, contact Old World Designs as June teaches there regularly.  They might be able to help.

https://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

Melita just purchased a copy of Mary's Whimsical Small Stitches, the latest book from Mary Legallet.  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/07/books-in-my-library-marys-whimsical-small-stitches-by-mary-legallet/

Here's Mary's Instagram page so you can see what her diagrams look like.

https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalstitch/

Melita has added Dawn Donnelly's book Transformative Stitching:  Needlework on the Diagonal to her library.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/21/books-in-my-library-transformative-stitching-needlework-on-the-diagonal-by-dawn-donnelly/

Melita has two volumes of Custom House of Needle Art's books--Quick Stitch Variations and More Quick Stitch Reference.  These are very portable with good information and clear diagrams.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/24/books-in-my-library-quick-stitch-variations-and-more-quick-stitch-reference-by-custom-house-of-needle-arts/

This is a classic book about Bargello followed by more Bargello books.  If I remember correctly, I thought Barbara Snook's Bargello books full of lovely patterns.  Dorothy Kaestner's 4 Way Bargello book has some wonderful patterns, which made my head hurt trying to follow.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/06/books-in-my-library-bargello-florentine-canvas-work-by-elsa-s-williams-1967/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/07/books-in-my-library-florentine-embroidery-by-barbara-snook-1967/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/08/books-in-my-library-bargello-a-pattern-book-by-golden-hands-1972/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/10/books-in-my-library-four-way-bargello-by-dorothy-kaestner-1974/

I've never seen Nancy Kurten's Bargello book, although I'd like to.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/15/books-in-my-library-bargello-sampler-by-nancy-noland-kurten-1975/

This is a fascinating, although confusing for me with my dyslexia, Bargello book.  I don't have trouble with random but following charts that change a lot is almost impossible for me.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/17/books-in-my-library-free-form-bargello-by-gigs-stevens-1977/

I remember this Dorothy Kaestner Bargello book as being very interesting, with a lot of great designs.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/19/books-in-my-library-bargello-antics-by-dorothy-kaestner-1979/

Melita's finished her collection of Bargello books.  Next up is Mary Shipp's wonderful design book.  Her color book is amazing if you can find it.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/28/books-in-my-library-exploring-pattern-in-stitches-by-mary-shipp/

Jane Zimmerman's books are amazing and full of ideas.  Although she is known for her silk and metal designs, this book has a lot of stitches that will work on any type of needlepoint.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/13/books-in-my-library-traditional-silk-and-metal-thread-techniques-on-canvas-by-jane-zimmerman/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 19, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Flowers Using a Sewing Machine Bobbin: The Movie

The ever inventive Ruth Schmuff shows us how to use a sewing machine bobbin to make a perfectly round fluffy flower on her YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYE_1tGR1pA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ribbed Spider Web Roses

The Wool and the Floss posted a video tutorial on their Instagram on creating ribbed spider web roses.  If you prefer written instructions, they posted a step-by-step guide in the description, too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_oDANNvjZ8/

They appear to be using silk ribbons from Tilli Thomas and Treenway Silks, by the way, but I prefer silk ribbon from River Silks whenever possible because of the huge color range and their durability.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Locking Ribbon on Your Needle and Canvas

Fire and Iris Designs has a video on their Instagram account that clearly shows how to lock your silk ribbon on your needle and then secure it on your needlepoint canvas.  Silk ribbons aren't as wiggly as beads but you do need to take a few extra steps before stitching with it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FJH5tr-Jy/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Twisted Ribbon Roses: Ruth's Movie

Ruth of Bedecked and Beadazzled demonstrates how to make a twisted silk ribbon embroidery rose in this fascinating video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Ufxnct1Lt/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Creating Silk Ribbon Roses the Easy Way

Lita at The Nashville Needlepointer shows you just how easy silk ribbon roses are to create in this Instagram video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jGTgFruJG/

By the way, by 4 millimeter, she means silk ribbon that is 4mm wide.  Silk ribbon also comes in 7 and 13 mm widths, but 4 mm is the most common width used on 18 count needlepoint canvas.  A sharp tipped needle with a big eye like a crewel needle also helps, but you can use regular tapestry needles if that's what you have available.  (River Silks ribbons don't split or tear or wear, so I highly recommend using them if you can.)

http://riversilks.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Folded Ribbon Roses: The Movie

Ruth Schmuff included silk ribbon flowers on her latest class for Bedecked and Bedazzled, and in this video, she shows how to make them.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/03/i-do-love-roses/

Here's her class project so you can see the folded ribbon roses on it.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/03/i-do-love-roses/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Silk Ribbon Tulips: The Movie

Mai Bordados has a fun video showing how silk ribbon embroidery tulips are made.  The video's speeded up; in reality SRE flowers should be done slowly so you can let the ribbon do its thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3l-1i9sq7H/

She does lots of flowers in silk ribbon so you might want to explore her Instagram account for more.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meeting Merrilyn Heazelwood

EGA is offering a counted canvaswork class with the Tasmanian designer Merrilyn Heazelwood and as part of that, they did an interview. 

https://egausa.org/interview-merrilyn-heazlewood-silk-ribbon-primroses/

Merrilyn is famous for her floral pieces and her use of silk ribbons on needlepoint canvas.  She's from a family of needle artists and does some wonderful designs.  Intrigued?  You can browse her website to see her work, find the link to the interview she did with the Fiber Talk podcast, shop her kits and her downloadable patterns, and just enjoy her lovely designs.

https://merrilynheazlewood.com.au/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Professor Pincushion Teaches Silk Ribbon Roses and Leaves

Professor Pincushion has two great videos on making ribbon roses and leaves of various sizes.  You can learn to make three sizes of ribbon roses in three different techniques here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruz4GU-nFYs

The leaves tutorial is here.  The first stitch she demonstrates is known as Japanese Ribbon stitch.  It's perfect for daisy petals, leaves, a variety of things.  Note that pulling too hard on your ribbon ruins the stitches which should be a little puffy and loose.  Tension is much different in silk ribbon embroidery than regular needlepoint stitches, which is something you have to get used to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y2HMLyjjGQ

She is working on cotton fabric, not needlepoint canvas, so you may not want to knot the ribbon in the needle's eye to start.  You are likely going through the needlepoint canvas and perhaps a layer of stitching, after all.  A knot in the needle's eye is going to be harder to get through those layers.

The keys to nice silk ribbon embroidery flowers are to use a chenille needle, a good brand of silk ribbon that's either 4 or 7 mm wide for most flowers (I LOVE River Silk's ribbons!), and to watch your tension carefully.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 12, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Spider Web Stitch

Needlepoint for Fun has a great essay (with diagrams) about how to do the spider web stitch. This is a great stitch for silk ribbon roses but it works for just about anything round since you can make the spoke foundation visible or invisible. Read all about it here—
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-spider-web-needlepoint-stitch.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Create Tiny Snapdragons From Silk Ribbon UPDATED

BeStitched has a lovely short video on how to make tiny flower petals using silk ribbon. They look like tiny snapdragon petals but are very easy to do. You can also add a bead in the dimple you create by going through the ribbon loop with the ribbon (this will make sense when you see the video), although she doesn't talk about that.  You'll just use a beading needle and a thread that matches the color of your silk ribbon.  Come up from the back in the middle of the dimple, slide on a bead, then go down again where you came up.  Easy!
https://vimeo.com/148802681?inf_contact_key=05416fb76f58a0561e84169e0f35871c

UPDATE:  If you like silk ribbon roses, you'll enjoy this tutorial on using spider webs stitch.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-spider-web-needlepoint-stitch.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 30, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Diane Van Niekerk Retiring in 2016

Marianne of NewNeedlepoint.com told me that Di Van Niekerk, who is famous for her silk ribbon embroidery books, is retiring in 2016.
http://www.dicraft.co.za/blog/goodbye-for-now/

Although she has temporarily stopped taking orders as she is so overwhelmed by folks stocking up in preparation for her retirement, you can still visit her wonderful free silk ribbon tutorials.
http://www.dicraft.co.za/blog/articles/?mycat=2181

Here's to a great talent and to a better future for Di.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 30, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.