As an addendum to the pics I will soon post of my (FINISHED!) ball gown, I thought I'd take the time to recommend a book: The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts. There are literally hundreds of photos and instructions for everything a reenactor (and member of the public) could ever want to do with ribbon: rosettes, flowers, embroidery, trim, etc. etc. etc.
Who knew there were so many ways one could gather a ribbon? Here's how I did mine:
1. Go find a ribbon ;-) If you're a stitch-nazi freak like me, you'll go find some genuine silk ribbon from a place like Piecemakers in Huntington Beach (but note: silk ribbon does tend to fray around the edges, especially if dragged across 5 states in a purse like mine was. I'm willing to trade a worn look for historical accuracy's sake, but nobody has to!)
2. Measure ribbon width and mark this amount of inches down the ribbon's length, staggering the marks on each side. Sew a gathering thread in a zig-zag from mark to mark, wrapping around the ribbon each time to change direction:
3. Pull gather thread and adjust for desired "wave-width!"
Tack onto bodice/skirt/bonnet of your choice!
Who knew there were so many ways one could gather a ribbon? Here's how I did mine:
1. Go find a ribbon ;-) If you're a stitch-nazi freak like me, you'll go find some genuine silk ribbon from a place like Piecemakers in Huntington Beach (but note: silk ribbon does tend to fray around the edges, especially if dragged across 5 states in a purse like mine was. I'm willing to trade a worn look for historical accuracy's sake, but nobody has to!)
So, now that I'm so cool and have a blogger account, what will happen to my dear ontopofoldsmokey xanga account!? That one was kinda cool too!!!!
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