Tips & Tricks for Baltimore Blocks 2

Have you all had a good read of Tips & Tricks 1?  I am still loving how my ultra fine stem looks because I used ribbon!  Of course, with more practice, I'm sure I can make my cotton bias do the same thing, but the ribbon has that lovely dimension and texture that cotton just doesn't have.

On that note, what else can be done with a ribbon on a Baltimore Block?  Or any applique project for that matter!  Ribbon embroidery has been around for ages, and although it is a dieing art in the grand scheme of things, it is an amazing one to master.  There are several projects in Elly's book "Baltimore Elegance" which we used as a 'manual' for the class.  She also brought many interesting samples that had several different uses of ribbon.  Some with lots (even a couple that were the whole block) and others that used ribbon for accents only.

My favourite books that show some very simple and intermediate ribbon techniques are "A-Z of Ribbon Embroidery" a compilation through A Quilter's Resource with Sue Gardner as the senior editor and "Basic & Decorative Stitches, Ribbon Embroidery" by Yukiko Ogura.  This book may be harder to find because it's a Japanese publication in English.  You can try http://www.sewfancy.com/ which is where I found my copy, however, you may have to contact them directly to inquire.  There is also a rare and out of print book specifically about ribbon embroidery for Baltimore Album blocks, Sew Fancy has one copy left.

Aside from the ribbon stems and branches technique, my next favourite new use is for leaves.  We learned a great way to use wired ribbon with variegated colour to make the "boat leaf" style of leaves.  The boat leaf is a very common method for making leaves with ribbon and can be found in just about any embroidery book that features ribbon.  There are several different methods and you can choose your favourite.

To make your own boat leaf in the same fashion as we learned, follow these instructions:

STEP 1 - Which Ribbon

Choose your ribbon.  It should be wire edged.  Variegated colour makes great visual interest.  It will be folded in half wire edge-to-wire edge, so make sure your ribbon is wide enough to manage with your fingers.

STEP 2 - Ribbon Length

Cut a length of ribbon that is the length you want your leaf + 1/2".  I used a 1.5" length of 5/8" wide ribbon.

STEP 3 - Finding the 'Boat' Area

Fold the ribbon in half length-wise so the 2 wire edges align.  With the fold to the bottom and the wire edges facing up, fold each end of the folded ribbon up, perpendicular to the fold.  When the end of the ribbon is sticking up above the wire-edges 1/4", finger press the new fold that has formed on the edges very firmly.  This is shown in the diagram below.

STEP 4 - The Stitching

Use a very fine matching thread such as YLI Silk 100wt and a fine needle.  Cut a short length of thread (no more than 18"), and after threading your needle, add a quilter's knot at the end.  A quilter's knot is very fine and easily hidden for this type of stitching. 

Take a small stitch just under the wire, through both layers of ribbon, right on the diagonal fold line (point 1 in the picture below).  Take another stitch and make a loop knot. 

Now, make a very fine running stitch down the diagonal fold line through both layers of ribbon all the way to the fold (from point 1 to point 2).  Make another loop knot or two. 

Continuing with a running stitch, travel from point 2 to point 3.  The length and spacing of the stitches in this area determine how gathered the center of your leaf will be. 

Once at point 3, pull the thread to gather this section until it bends almost into a 'U' shape.  Holding the gathers tightly to keep them from slipping out, make another loop knot or two at point 3 to hold the gathers in place. 

Now finish the stitching by following the stitch path with your running stitch all the way back up the creased fold line to the wire edges (point 4).  Make a loop knot to secure the stitching.  Do not cut the thread.

STEP 5 - Turning and Finishing
Now that the boat shape has been stitched into the ribbon, the leaf will take shape when you open the top by separating the wire edges.  Do this carefully so as not to strain your stitches.

Make sure the "seam allowance" folds down nicely to the back (the flap of ribbon on each end).  Now pinch the points carefully to hold a nice leaf shape.  Using the thread that is still attached stitch fine knots through ALL LAYERS right at the points to hold your leaf open and keep the flap in place on the back (indicated by the fine blue circles at each end in the picture above).  No need to cut the thread for small leaves, just travel gently and loosely to the other end and make your knots there too.

Your leaf is done!  Thanks to Elly we can all stitch the perfect leaves!  And, if you are hiding one end of the leaf under something (like an apple), no need to make both ends, just do one end since the other one will not be in view.

Happy ribbon shopping!