Smocking with Ribbon - A New Pleasure --- Second Edition

The magic of smocking will open up a whole new world to enhance your smocking, once you discover the endless variety of texture, contrast & impact created by the use of ribbon. The wonderful colours, sheen, widths & designs certainly add a new dimension to your smocked garments. The possibilities are infinite as ribbons are threaded, woven, interlaced or intertwined through the smocked stitches, creating stunning effects. </P> <P>Ribbon smocking is for all occasions but you can create something quite unique, particularly for that special festive partu dress, confirmation or christening gown, with your smocking. Gathering ribbons to make frills or ruffles around the neckline, collar or cuffs of a garment adds a touch of femininity, & knitted garments can be further enhanced & individualised by using silk ribbon for surface embroidery. Various widths of satin ribbon can be used to beautify cushions, curtains, pillows & towels which can compliment any home, not to mention a host of pretty bows which can decorate & personalise that special gift. In fact, no other smocking technique offers so much scope for individual colour co-ordination & interpretation. The inclusion of ribbon in smocking is addictive & it becomes difficult to plan a design without a little touch of ribbon somewhere. Utilizing different colours & widths of ribbon within even the simplest designs, will transform your smocking into a creative masterpiece. CONTENTS: Uses Of Ribbons, Ribbon Chart, Needles & Embroidery Thread, Selecting fabric & Ribbon, The Choice Of Colour, Planning Your Design, RIBBON WEAVING, Straight Lacing, Zig Zag Weaving,, Overlacing, Ribbon Forming The Design, Rope Weaving, Diagonal Weaving, The Construction Of The Garment, Bows, Finishing Touches, Stitch Glossary, Smocking Designs.