My book on silk ribbon embroidery

I loved doing silk ribbon so much that I decided to write a book to encourage others use it too!

As I began to add more and more silk ribbon to my quilts, I found everyone was interested in what I was doing with silk ribbon. I began to teach it, especially to quilters to add to their quilts. Soon I realized that many of them did not have an embroidery background and I began working on a book to fill that gap.

When the American Quilter's Society showed interest in publishing the book I realized I would have to do more research and so quit my job, spent the summer reading and learning all I could about the production and use of silk and silk ribbon. Then I took a trip out east to visit historic sites where I could see some early examples of silk ribbon. Doing the research was great fun and I turned one trip into a lecture about the whole process (Cathy's Silk Road).

The book was published in 1997 and I was also invited to teach at the AQS show in Paduah that year. It was great fun!

In the book I have tried to encourage quilters to use ribbon work to add detail to their quilts. There is a brief history, advice is getting started and a detailed stitch guide with both pictures and drawings of each stitch. I also have a section on combination stitches, using two or more to create a floral design.

If you already do hand embroidery you will find this book full of tips and ideas for adding silk ribbon to the work you do. There are sources for the ribbon and lots of ideas on ways to make this a delightful addition to your work. Anyone who has done thread embroidery, should find it fairly easy to pick up working with silk ribbon from the book. Many of the stitches used are the same ones I learned at age 6 -- lazy daisy, French knots (do you love'em or hate'em?) feather stitch and chain stitch.

Finally the book ends with a series of small projects to give the stitcher a feel for using the ribbon. Some include applique, though many of them are embroidered only. The final piece -- a basket can be done as a wall piece or in 4 blocks to make an appliqued quilt.

A pattern for a basket block from the book, silk ribbon gives it lots of detail

Patterns from the book include an 18th century style pocket and a small sewing kit called a housewife.

Contact Me The book is still available from me -- check or money order for $20.00 -- autographed of course!

Reenactors are people who never tired of playing dress-up!