Folded Ribbon Rose: A Craft Tutorial

Have you ever seen those dainty, adorable silk sewn roses? They are often sewn on to pillows, cloth, etc. as an additional embroidery. These use ribbon, but the idea is the same. Use some of your scraps. And don't hold back. Use some of your most interesting colors and patterns. 

Once you have mastered the basic folding technique of these Roses, they can be created from a wide variety of Ribbons. The photo here shows them made in Satin Ribbon, Satin Ribbon / Organza Ribbon Combination and Organza with a Gold Thread Edge.

For a much softer effect of course you would use Silk Ribbon. The Hand Dyed Silk Ribbons which are available in the wider sizes are ideal for this. The variance in color through the ribbon becomes shading in the petals, making it much more realistic.


Step 1: Cut the Ribbon edge at an angle. Fold the ribbon forward diagonally, leaving a tail.



Step 2: Fold over the ribbon starting from the right, making a firm center for the rose. Stitch to hold in matching thread. ( For this tutorial I have a different color thread to make it easier for you to see ).


Step 3: Fold the ribbon diagonally to the back. 

Step 4: Wrap the fold around the rose center, each one of the folds becomes a petal. Continue in this way until you have the desired size rose. 



Take care not to have all the folds on the one side of your rose. On the outer petals as the rose is growing in size, you may need to gather the ribbon at the base a little to prevent this.

Step 5: On the last fold stitch the ribbon to the base and cut off at an angle. Notice how the gold thread alternates through the petals. The same with combining two ribbons such as Satin and Organza.

Hint: Should you be concerned about wastage of Ribbon, an alternative is to replace this with crepe paper double fold. This paper holds firm without stitching by pressing the folds in place. Allows you to have a few practice runs. 
Be patient in time you will be able to do them with very little effort.

source: http://caroldaisy.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutorial%20-%20Folded%20Ribbon%20Rose

Top 5 Reasons You Should Be Sleeping On Silk

1) Sleeping on silk reduces the appearance of wrinkle lines

Sleeping on silk pillowcases reduces the appearance of lines on your face when you wake up in the morning. Your skin looks better when you wake up. You do not need research on this.  Ask anyone that has ever slept on silk, they will tell you. There are not those morning creases that last longer and longer as you get older. Do the experiment yourself. Why do we need statistics on everything to tell us what we inherently know?  Try it, you will see the difference the first morning you wake up.

2) SIlk is hypo-allergenic

Silk is hypo-allergenic because the weave is so tight, dust mites can not manifest.

3) Silk does not absorb your expensive face creams

Silk does not absorb your expensive face creams the way cotton does. Cotton is very absorbent we know this. I know my face creams are not cheap. As a matter of fact my face cream costs more than 1 pillowcase. The pillowcases last for a very long time. The silk actually gets softer and softer on your face with age. Many people have kept the same pillowcase for 10 years!

4) Your hair looks better when you sleep on silk pillowcases

Your hair looks better when you sleep on silk pillowcases. Hairdressers know this. Our grandmothers knew this. Again do the research. Do you have bed head in the morning? A silk pillowcase will help.

5) Spoil yourself with Silk Pillowcases

We spend a third of our life sleeping. Sleeping on silk pillowcases is an easy way to pamper yourself. You feel like you are in a spa when you go to bed on a silk pillowcases.

You could buy a silk pillowcase, or you could easily do it yourself! Click here to see the how-to make your own silk pillowcase. 

DIY: How to Make a Silk Pillowcase

How To Make a Beautiful Silk Scarf in 5 Steps!

Silk scarves transcend generation, season and trend.

1. Find a great silk fabric – we personally prefer light georgettes or crepes – and don’t be afraid to choose a bold, colorful print. Square scarves offer a few more styling options than do rectangular ones, so we suggest purchasing a 36”, 45”, or 60” square.
2. Steam the silk. If you only have an iron, use the lowest setting possible, and place a towel over the fabric for extra protection.
3. The mark of a high-quality scarf is a hand-rolled hem. This can be tricky, but we think it’s worth the extra effort. First, sew a quarter inch in from the raw edge all around the scarf. Now you’ll want trim as close to the stitch as you can; a centimeter is a good amount. If you place some kind of a paperweight on the soon-to-be scarf, so that you can pull your fabric taught, this will help during trimming and hand-sewing.
4. Backstitch the edge. Then, keeping the fabric taut, hold that edge between your thumb and forefinger. Roll toward you. You’ll want to roll so that the earlier stitching is hidden inside the roll. Now, slipstitch the hem.
5. Voila! Your silk scarf is finished and ready for wear.

Easiest Silk Pillowcase EVER

AWESOME IDEA From DesignSponge.com For an Easy Silk Pillow Case

here’s what you’ll need:

scarf

double-sided fusible interfacing

backing fabric (around 1 1/4 yards for an 18” pillow)

pillow insert

sewing machine

iron

thread

1. if your scarf is thin, (i.e. silk) fuse it to a piece of fabric with double-sided fusible interfacing and an iron, to give it extra strength before sewing.

2. for the envelope style backing, cut out two squares of your backing fabric that are 1” longer than your pillow and wide enough so that they will overlap by 2 to 3 inches after you’ve sewn a 1” hem along one side.

3. overlap the two pieces and pin together so they create a square that is 1” larger than your pillow insert all the way around.

4. with right sides together, stitch the top scarf piece to the envelope pillow backing all the way around using a 1/2” seam allowance.

5. turn right side out, press and insert your pillow.

Original source:

http://www.designsponge.com/2008/11/diy-wednesdays-silk-scarf-pillow.html

How To Care For Your Silk Garments

Versatile, comfortable, and elegant, silk is a practical luxury with a place in any wardrobe. With today's "peace silk," made without harming silk worms, even those concerned about the environment can enjoy this fabric. Although relatively durable, silk is protein fiber similar to human hair and does require special care to stay looking good. By knowing the right way to clean, dry, press, and store silk, you can keep your silk garments in top condition for years.

Dry cleaning
Care instructions for most for silk items, especially for pure silk, recommend dry cleaning. For dupioni silk, lighter silks like chiffon, China silk, and crepe de Chine, and multi-color or hand-dyed prints, dry-cleaning usually is the best option. For other types of silk, though, while dry cleaning helps maintain the original texture of the fabric, it does carry some risks. Commonly used cleaning solutions aren't suited to silk and silks can be damaged if placed in the same vat with rougher fabrics. To make sure your silk gets proper treatment, always tell the dry cleaner that your garment is made from silk and make sure they know how to clean silk.

Handwashing
Silk fabric has been produced for over five thousand years, whereas the dry cleaning process has only been around since the 1840s. Clearly, dry cleaning isn't a must. Even dupioni silk, which is almost always labeled as dry clean only, can be hand washed if the seams have been serged and you don't mind the fabric losing some of its firmness or color. Although low-quality silk may become rough or dull after hand washing, better quality silk tends to looks better and last longer when hand washed. The natural coating on silk fibers reacts well to warm water, so hand washing also has the advantage of refreshing silk and giving it a better drape. Silk can be hand washed in cool or lukewarm water using a mild detergent such as Woolite, Ivory soap, or shampoo dissolved in the water. Because silk resists dirt and stains, only a small amount of soap should be used. Silk, like most natural fibers, doesn't tolerate abrupt changes in temperature very well, so stay with one water temperature throughout the wash. Avoid soaking silk as this may fade the dye. To both revive faded or yellowed colors and protect the fabric from alkali damage, rinse the silk in water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar added. While some people prefer a matte finish, this texture is usually a sign of alkali damage, which can eventually make the fabric brittle. The vinegar rinse will minimize this. After the wash and vinegar rinse, rinse the silk thoroughly in cool water.


Machine washing
In general, machine washing is the worst way to clean silk as the agitator and other garments can damage the fabric. Garments made with a combination of fabrics or those that are highly detailed should not be machine washed at all. However, if the instructions for your wash machine state that the machine is safe for silk, there should be no serious problem washing most silks in it. Before washing, make sure there's no soap or dirt on the inside of the machine that might stain the silk. Place the silk item in a mesh bag or a pillowcase loosely tied closed. Use a small amount of a very mild detergent and wash on a gentle cycle, such as a wool cycle, at a temperature of no more than 86°F (30°C). If you use a spin cycle, keep it as short as possible.

Treating stains
A capful of hydrogen peroxide and or a few drops of ammonia added to the wash will help keep white silk bright and rinsing silk in white vinegar diluted with water will help remove yellowing. While recent perspiration stains may be washed out or dabbed with a tablespoon of ammonia dissolved in half cup of water, older perspiration may be removed with a vinegar solution. Unfortunately, though, perspiration stains on silk, as on many garments, may not be completely removable as perspiration causes damage to the fibers. Remember, silk may be strong, but harsh chemicals can cause permanent damage, so avoid using bleach or any product that contains bleach, enzymes, or whiteners on silk.

DryingEven if you machine wash, never use a machine dryer to dry any silk as the friction and lack of humidity and can damage the fabric. Instead, roll the silk item up in a bath towel and gently press the water out. Never wring silk. When most of the water is out, finer silk should be hung up to dry, while coarser varieties, such as bourette, should be dried on a flat surface. Keep the garment away from heat sources or direct sunlight, both of which can turn silk yellow.

Pressing
Silk should be pressed while still damp, never when completely dry. If the item has dried, dampen it with water from a spritzer bottle before ironing. To avoid damage, turn the item inside out and iron on the reverse side of the fabric on a cotton-covered ironing board. Use a low setting and don't use steam, which can leave watermarks. Because many silk garments are hand sewn, take care not to apply pressure to the seams of the garment.

Storage
For long-term storage, keep silk in a cotton pillowcase or other material that can breathe. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture and can cause yellowing and mildew. Silk, like other natural fibers, is a favorite with moths, so store cedar chips or balls with your silk to keep the bugs away.

Silk may be considered a luxury, but caring for it properly doesn't cost much in terms of either money or time. Gentle washing, drying away from a heat source, and storage in material that provides air circulation is all silk really needs to stay looking good. Care for your silk garments well and they'll keep their original softness and sheen for years.

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