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Last week I posted how to make a reversible table runner.  Keeping with the kitchen theme, today I am showing an apron and a pot holder with the same color scheme.   Back in June, in a post about embroidery on ribbon, I mentioned my really bad Jr. High Home Ec apron.  Wanting to give it another go and still being a sewing newbie, I called in an expert, my Mother-in-law.  Dorothy, a former Home Economics teacher (now known as Family and Consumer Sciences) whipped up this hand towel apron in no time at all.  If you are not a sewist, find a friend with a machine to help and give it a try!  Can’t hurt & might be fun.  With so many amazing fabrics out there needing some May Arts embellishing…you have to give it a go!
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APRON

For the apron, Tipnut.com has about 152 free patterns on-line!   The apron shown is one adapted from a few of these towel apron patterns.
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POT HOLDER

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Materials:

• 8 strips of 2.5 x8” rectangle fabric scraps (I used the scraps from the table runner)

• Coordinating thread

• Jumbo Ric Rac in yellow 330-27.

• Scraps of Batting  (I doubled my regular or use heat-proof batting)

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Directions:

• Sew 4 strips of fabric together, add Ric Rac and sew in place

• Repeat step one

• Create a quilt “sandwich”: one piece of fabric wrong side up, batting doubled over, other fabric right side up. Pin in place.

• Bind the edges together with quarter inch seam

• With grid fabric bind pot holder.  (A binding tutorial can be found at crazymomquilts.blogspot.com)

• Place near stove and order carry out!!!

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Blog Posted By: Leah Farrar-White

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Throw pillows may not be on everyone’s “Thrifty Things,” list, but I find that changing a room’s pillowscape can make everything else appear new and fresh.  It’s not necessary to discard the current decorative pillows, just give them a vacation.  Remove the covers, if possible, clean and pack them in a clearly labeled container for their re-entry a few seasons from now.
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The photo above features an easy and versatile pillow that uses a textured solid color ribbon appliquéd onto a neutral linen-weave cotton fabric.  The Greek geometric design is at home in any room with any decorating style. Customize the color combination, style of ribbon and pillow fabric for a fine looking accent pillow.
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MATERIALS:

• 14” pillow form or 12 oz bag of polyester fiber-fil

• 1/2yd fabric (I used 100% cotton- Oasis, color R79, by Marcus Brothers Fabrics.)

• 5 yards ribbon (I used May Arts Ribbon: 3/4” black corduroy #357-34-10)

• Glue stick

• Basic sewing supplies

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DIRECTIONS:

• Iron fabric and cut 2 pieces, 14” square* ( This will result in a 13 ½” square pillow which will fit snugly, eliminating wrinkles and “rabbit ears” corners.)

• Lay one fabric square face up on a flat surface.

• Cut ribbon into 2 pieces – each 2 1/2 yards long.

• Consulting ILLUSTRATION #1, draw a 9” square on a piece of paper.  The 4 sides of this square make up the perimeter of the design.  Within this square, copy the remaining lines of the design, including the BOLD DOTS.

• On your drawn design, make a small hole at each DOT.

• Center the 9” square paper pattern onto one face-up square of fabric.  Pin in place.

• Through each hole in the pattern, make a discrete mark on the fabric, using pencil, chalk or wash-out marker.  Remove paper pattern.

• Using the first piece of ribbon, follow the placement path indicated by arrows in ILLUSTRATION#1, and the corner-folding technique shown in ILLUSTRATIONS #2, #3, and #4.

• Use small dabs of glue stick & pins to keep the ribbon in place.

• NOTE: By beginning and ending at the *, you have concealed both raw ends of the ribbon. 

• Trim away any excess from the ribbon’s end. Under the crossing ribbon, secure the 2 raw ends of ribbon, end to end.   **I find it helpful to baste the ribbon in place at this point by hand or machine.**

• Machine stitch the ribbon in place, following both edges carefully around the entire design.

• To position the second piece of ribbon as the border decoration, draw a thin guideline ¾” from the fabric square’s entire outer edge and follow the same procedure for placing, basting and stitching this ribbon.  The ribbon’s end will overlap the beginning.  Trim, turn under and stitch.

• Place the second 14” fabric square, face to face, onto the appliquéd square and pin together around 3 sides.  Pin the 4th side 2” from both corners, leaving a 10” opening in the center.

• Stitch all pinned seams - using a ¼” seam allowance.

• Trim excess fabric at corners and turn right side out.

• Insert the 14” pillow form or loose poly-fil through the opening.

• Close the opening by folding the 2 raw edges under and stitching closed, by hand or machine.

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The following photos are examples of several more ribbon-updated and ribbon-embellished pillows.
Stay tuned to the May Arts blog for better views and instructions for all of these thrifty temptations.

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Blog Posted By: Ellen Highsmith Silver

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Think Spring!

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At this moment outside my window it is sleeting, the ground is frozen mud with absolutely no sun in the forecast.  Blah. It is plain old icky blah this time of year.  So, I decided to pull out ribbon that made me feel sunny, happy and bright!  The answer…RIC RAC.  Not any ric rac, mind you, JUMBO, fun, make me smile, May Arts Ric Rac!  

With this in hand I wanted to make something this week that made me feel springy.  Something I could use and see all the time. I decided to make a reversible table runner.  It’s on my kitchen table and I notice it as I pass by.   That little bit of sunshine makes me feel that spring and sun MIGHT just be around the corner!
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Materials:

• 1/2 yard rectangle of green polka dot fabric

• 1/2 yard rectangle of aqua with white and yellow polka dot fabric

• 1/4 yard of grid fabric or any binding strip.

• Coordinating thread

• Jumbo Ric Rac in 330-94 Turquoise and 330-27 Yellow.

• 1/2 yard Batting

Directions:

•  Even up edges of fabric, pin and sew ric rac in place on both 1/2 yards of fabric. 

• Create a quilt “sandwich”: one piece of fabric wrong side up, batting, other fabric right side up. Pin in place.

• 3.    Quilt together as you like.  I used lines in a sort of grid pattern.  I used green thread on the green fabric and white thread in my bobbin for the reverse aqua dot side.

• With grid fabric bind table runner.  (A binding tutorial can be found at Crazy Mom Quilts)

• Place on your table immediately!

• Go to your favorite florist and splurge on a beautiful spring bouquet.  Tie May Arts ribbon on your vase and ENJOY!!!

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Following are exact instructions for making one of the pieces in the photo.

RED VELVET RIBBON NECKLACE

This Fall, why not bake a Red Velvet Cake from The Joy of Cooking and make a Red Velvet Ribbon Necklace from May Arts Ribbons?

I selected this project because it makes a dramatic statement in velvet to finish off a party outfit or hang out with tweeds and a turtleneck.  Of course, the process can apply to countless ribbon/bead combos.  Think about your own wardrobe AND your holiday gift list.

MATERIALS for necklace approximately 21” plus ties.

• Ribbon - ¾”  wide;  4 yds -  May Arts # PV25   

• Decorative Beads – 14

• Square Blocks (3/4") With Hole For Stringing - 15

• Beading Wire Or Monofilament -  .014”  or .015”  diameter

• Needle that will fit through the hole in the blocks and an eye that will accommodate the stringing material.

• Gluestick

INSTRUCTIONS:

• For 16 blocks, cut 30 3” long pieces of ribbon.

• Apply a generous amount of gluestick to the wrong side of 16 ribbon pieces.

• Wrap a ribbon piece around each block -  beginning and ending on a side without a hole.

• Follow the same procedure for the remaining 14  3” long ribbon pieces, wrapping to cover the two remaining exposed sides of each cube.

• Cut the remaining length of ribbon into 2  18” pieces and use one end of each as the second wrapping ribbon on the remaining 2 blocks.  These will be positioned on each end of the necklace (before the ties).

• After the second ribbon wrapping on these 2 end blocks, the remaining length of ribbon on each block is the necklace’s tie closure.

• NOTE:   The wrapped ribbon pieces should be glued firmly to all surfaces of the block.  If necessary, use a straight pin or toothpick to apply tiny bits from the gluestick into any gaps and smooth firmly in place.

• Thread your needle with about 30” of wire or monofilament, knotted at one end.  Begin stringing the necklace through one of the two end blocks.  Pierce the ribbon on both sides as the needle travels through.  Securely hide the wire’s knotted end under the ribbon at the beginning of the tie portion of the ribbon.  Make sure that the tie flows freely from the end of the block.

• Thread on a decorative bead and proceed to the next ribbon-covered block.

• Continue alternating all remaining ribbon-covered blocks and beads.

• Shake out the completed string of covered blocks and beads, look for and correct any errors now.

• Secure the second end of the wire underneath the base of the second ribbon tie.  Cut excess wire.

• Neatly trim tie ends and enjoy your creation.

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Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver
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Don't Forget to check out - Sneak Peek Part II !

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Let’s play with traditional stocking designs by adding easy May Arts Ribbon Inspiration.  This Red and White stocking measures approximately 22” long and 9” wide.

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MATERIALS:

• Red felt – for 2 pieces – 24” X 10”

• White felt – approximately 12” X 18”

• May Arts Ribbon # XFF14 – 2.5” wide  - 1 yard

• May Arts Ribbon # XA15  - 1.5” wide  -  1 yard

• Permanent fabric adhesive (test first to make sure it won’t bleed through the felt)

• Red sewing thread

INSTRUCTIONS:

• You may print out the photo of this stocking and enlarge it to approximately 22” in length, or trace the outline of an existing stocking onto clean paper to create your pattern. Avoid newspaper because the ink could transfer to your work and leave permanent smudges.  Draw the heel and toe shapes freehand.  All stitching can be by hand or machine.

• RED FELT - cut out 2 stocking shapes.  I used a decorative-edged rotary blade.  Pinking shears would also achieve a festive edge.  Straight edged is always fine.

• WHITE FELT - cut out 2 pieces for the upper “cuff-like trim on the stocking. They should be 3 ½”  wide by the upper width of your stocking pattern.   Cut 2 heel pieces and 2 toe pieces according to your pattern

• Position the 2 white felt “cuff” pieces in place on top of the red felt stocking shapes. (Since the felt is reversible, be sure to make a stocking FRONT and a stocking BACK.)

• Stitch the white “cuff” pieces onto the front and back red stocking pieces, approximately ¼” from the edge.

• Repeat this for the heel and toe pieces

• Pin the stocking front piece exactly on top of the back, wrong sides together.

• Stitch front and back together using a generous ¼” seam allowance, leaving top open.

 MAY ARTS RIBBON # XA15 

• Cut 1 piece 9” long.  Fold in half, creating a strip ¾” wide X 9” long.  Stitch the 2 pom pom edges together, as close to the edges as possible.

• Fold the 9” X ¾” piece of pom pom-edged ribbon in half to create the 4 ½” hanging loop.  Stitch the 2 raw ends of the loop securely to the stocking back.  See photo.

• To conceal raw edges, fold under and stitch both ends of the remaining 27” of this ribbon.

• With a straight pin, expose the wire on one edge at one end of this ribbon.  Carefully pull this wire to gather the entire length until it fits inside the upper edge of the stocking.  Distribute the gathers evenly.  Pin in place along the inside edge of the stocking without letting the green pom poms on this edge show on the outside. Baste then stitch in place.

MAY ARTS RIBBON # XFF 14

• Cut enough to extend around the entire top edge of the stocking (front and back) – see photo for placement.

• Apply the fabric adhesive as lightly as possible to this cut-out ribbon and center it on the white “cuff.”  Starting at the edge below the hanging loop, press firmly with your hands.  Let it set according to the adhesive’s instructions, It may require a little help from a dry iron (using a pressing cloth) to create a permanent bond.

• From the remaining cutwork ribbon, select and cut out various shapes and apply as above, to the heel and toe pieces on front and back.

Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver

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In medieval times pomanders, clove-studded fruits cured with spices, played an aromatic role in civilizing civilization.  Their lasting fragrance was a foe to unpleasant smells, in the home and even on the person.

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They’re here in the MayArts Ribbon blog because the prettiest pomanders are tied with decorative ribbons.  Some ribbons are tied around the pomanders, allowing them to hang in closets and other musty places, while others add bits of color and design to pomanders grouped in bowls and baskets.

Here’s a refresher course in Pomander Prep..

MATERIALS:

• Fruits that will dry well - oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, apples

• Whole cloves – good quality with heads still in place

• Ceramic or glass bowl

• Small sharp metal skewer or knitting needle for puncturing fruit skin

• Spice mixture for curing approximately 4 – 5 pomanders

             powdered cinnamon  -   8 Tablespoons

             powdered cloves       -    4 Tablespoons

             powdered allspice     -    1 Tablespoon

             powdered nutmeg     -    1 Tablespoon

             powdered orrisroot   -    2 Tablespoons

• Ribbons  - about 2 yards for tying and/or hanging each finished pomanders (note: When selecting ribbons, remember that they will be surrounded by cinnamon brown dried clove-studded fruits- not the fruit’s pre-dried natural color)

Don’t limit your selections to holiday colors because pomanders are always in season, and May Arts many two-sided ribbons add an extra, unexpected touch.

For my project, I used the following 3/8” May Arts Ribbons that play nicely together:

• MN 28    (yellow/orange checks)

• SB  28    (gold/green reversible)

• 333-16    (green)

• AKN 27  (plaid)

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Select fruit and ribbons

• Have a design in mind for the clove “landscape” you are creating.  This includes distinct un-studded avenues that will house the ribbons after the curing is complete.  It is helpful to lightly mark the design with a soft pencil.

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• Masking tape or even strips of paper or fabric can mark the ribbon-pathways – but must be removed after the cloves are stuck in place.

• Using a small sharp metal instrument, like a turkey skewer, make only a few punctures at a time in the fruit, according to your plan.  These holes should not be too close together, as the fruit will shrink as it dries.  Insert cloves in pre-made holes.  Continue making 3 – 4 holes at a time until the job is completed. Try to complete each pomander on the day you start so there is less chance of rotting.

• Make a batch of at least 4 to 5 pomanders at one time.

• Mix the curing spices together, place 1/3^rd in the bottom of a ceramic or glass bowl.  Arrange the pomanders on top and cover them with the remaining mix.  Rotate the pomanders often and keep them covered with the spices.  It may take from two to four weeks for the drying/curing to be complete.

• When the pomanders are ready, tap the excess spice mix back into the bowl- to be saved for more batches as well as refreshing these after time.

• Place the ribbons onto their pathways, securing with a dab of glue if necessary.  Finish the creation with a bow, baubles, small cones, or any other decoration that seems like a good idea.

• If the pomander is to be used as a hanging sachet, create a ribbon hanger – or pair of ties.

• A bowl or basket of be-ribboned pomanders is a subtle and practical “object” in many locations.

• The pomanders can be refreshed by a sprinkling of water, then submerging for a week or two in the saved spicy curing mix.

True Story:  The basket of pomanders in my living room just celebrated their 35th birthday, so I can honestly say that all that punching and sticking and curing was worth while a long long while ago.

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Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver

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Be sure to check out this week's contest: A Thanksgiving Feast

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The age-old needlework technique of DRAWNWORK is a fresh vehicle for showcasing ribbon. And the only challenge may be finding a loosely woven linen, cotton, hopsacking, canvas or even burlap to work with.  I say this because these fabrics are NOT the same thing as the even-weave fabrics available for counted cross-stitch or needlepoint.  However, it’s worth the search because this simple technique can produce fine results.

INSTRUCTIONS:

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• Pull out several side-by-side threads from the loosely woven fabric to create a path that equals the width of the ribbon you have chosen. The threads in this linen fabric are rather large and easy to single out. They were simply pulled using a toothpick.  A small metal skewer, or crochet hook or darning needle would also work well.

• Weave the ribbon over and under the remaining exposed threads in a uniform pattern.  Masking tape on the leading end of the ribbon can firm up the end, facilitating the threading.

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Illustration #1 above, shows a 9” X 9” orange pillow (or sachet, or pin cushion) that is made of linen with roughly 18 threads per inch. 

The 3/8” wide blue satin ribbon, May Arts #BM-04, is woven over 6 threads then under the next 6 until the course around the square is completed.  Consult the photo for corner treatments.  Complete the project by adding a pillow back and stuffing with batting or sachet.  To create a subtle flange, before stuffing the pillow, I stitched along both edges of the ribbon.  This made the central area of the pillow puff up more than the edges, giving the drawnwork a framing effect.

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Here’s a bonus idea.  Since I chose to work with a ribbon that has different colors - front and back, I could use this technique along the edges of a placemat or napkin and have a second color combination on the reverse side.  See the chocolate brown side of this ribbon in Illustration # 3.  Remember to stay-stitch all 4 edges to prevent unintended raveling.

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Blog Posted By:  Ellen Highsmith Silver

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Don't Forget To Check Out This Week's Contest:  Ribbons Of Christmas Past!

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Just for fun, I’m illustrating ribbon-weaving with small hanging pouches that can become sachets, ornaments or gift bags for tiny treasures.  For larger projects like totes, placemats, decorative pillows; simply use larger ribbons and more of them. 

TIP:  For better control during weaving, pin ribbons onto cardboard or a Styrofoam sheet.

POUCH USING 3/8” TWO-SIDED ORANGE AND GREEN RIBBON

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Finished size: 2 1/2” X 2 3/4”, handle: 12”

   May Arts ribbon: # SB28  -  3 1/4yds.  Cut pieces: 12 – 5”, 1 - 20”, 7 - 8”

• Pin the warp (vertical) ribbons in place on board – note the strap placement.

• Weave the weft (horizontal) ribbons per diagram

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• Evenly fold over and weave in all warp ribbon ends along the top edge, using tiny bits of glue stick if necessary.

• Fold the woven piece in half vertically – wrong side out

• Stitch the 2 unfinished edges (side & bottom)- using about ¼” seams, trim seam allowances

• Turn pouch right- side out and adjust corners.  Decorate bottom edge if desired

POUCH USING TWO DIFFERENT 3/8” RIBBONS

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Finished size: 2 ¾” X 3 ½”, handle:”8”, fringe: 3 ½”

  May Arts Ribbon # MN-42:  2 yds.    Cut pieces: 8 – 9”

  May Arts Ribbon # MN-34:  3 ¼ yds. Cut pieces:  7 – 8”. 7 – 5 ½”, 1 – 22”

• Pin warp ribbons in place – note the strap

• Weave the weft ribbons per diagram

• Evenly fold over and weave in all warp ribbon ends along the top and along the bottom right in the diagram where ribbons are shorter. Use bits of glue stick if needed. See Illustration above)

• Fold the entire piece in half vertically, wrong side out and stitch the unfinished side and bottom, keeping the long streamers free.

• Trim seam allowance on the stitched side and turn the pouch right side out and adjust corners.

• Evenly trim the ribbon streamers.

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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The above photo shows the completion of the weaving step for a pouch made using 2 different ribbons of different sizes and 2 different weaving patterns.

May Arts Ribbon # MN-46  3/8” and May Arts Ribbon #EH-16 5/8”.  When completed, the pouch’s 2 sides will be coordinated but not alike. See photos below.

This finished pouch is 6” X 4 ½” with a handle of  15”.

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Blog Posted By: Ellen Highsmith Silver

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The very nature of quilt-making began out of necessity: how to create warm bedding in the most efficient, and economical way possible.

 Scraps of cloth were patched together to form top and bottom layers that sandwiched a filler layer of carded wool or cotton then stitched through to keep the filler, or batting, in place.

 Today, ingenuity is still at work in the creation of new ways to enhance the quilt top’s design.  Using ribbons is a logical and lovely added means to this end.  They have two finished edges, come in a variety of widths and an endless array of designs and colors.

 The following examples illustrate results achieved by using ribbons as SASHING, BORDERS and DECORATIVE EDGING.  Ribbons can be top-stitched onto the existing design, or treated as another fabric and stitched into seams.

PARTRIDGES AND PEARS  (size: 35” X 25”)

• May Arts #333-38 is used as:

           a. sashing between the pear blocks and

           b. a thin outer border

• May Arts # FJ25 is used as the quilt’s 1.5” border.

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VARIETY VALENTINES (size: 35” X 26”)

• May Arts # ER14 - 1.5” ric rac in red provides a cheerful wavy edge around the quilt’s perimeter.  It is first basted in place, then the second ribbon.

• May Arts #XA36 – 1.5” is stitched on, overlapping the ric rac.

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PEACE WREATH (size: 17” X 16”)

•  May Arts #BK36 – 1.5” striped grosgrain is top-stitched ¼” from the bound edge of the quilt.

These are just a few examples of what ribbons can do for quilters and their quilts. 

Blog Posted By: Ellen Highsmith Silver

Be sure to check out our First Ever: Craft Challenge!

This week's Contest: Ribbon Ideas For Halloween!

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Although the (now-vintage) headbands of my youth served to control and enhance stubborn mousy-brown locks through high school and college, they don’t compare with today’s versions, ones anyone can make with these great ribbons.  The lowly hair accessory has become a statement of color, whimsy, fashion and self-expression. 

Here are some BASIC WAYS TO COVER HEADBANDS WITH RIBBON:

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SPIRAL WRAPPING

• Cut ribbon about twice as long as the band

• Coat both sides of band with permanent glue stick

• Begin wrapping on the inside at one end

• Continue tightly wrapping on angle to other end, pressing into the glue coating

• Fold under raw end of ribbon

• Use a few stitches to secure ribbons that cover the ends of the band

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ENVELOPING

• Use this method for ribbons at least twice as wide as the band

• Cut ribbon 2” longer than the band

• Fold 1” under on both ends of the ribbon

• Fold ribbon in half lengthwise

• Coat both sides of band with permanent glue stick

• Slip band into folded ribbon & secure with a few pins

• Stitch ribbon edges and ends together

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FOLDING

• Use when ribbon is at least 2½ times the width of band

• Cut ribbon 2” longer than band

• Coat inside of band with permanent glue stick

• Position one long edge of ribbon onto glue, 1” extending from each end of band

• Apply permanent glue stick to outside of band

• Fold the1” extensions over ends of band

• Wrap ribbon around edge onto sticky outside of band

• Apply permanent glue stick to exposed underside of remaining ribbon

• Wrap tightly over the edge & press onto inside of band

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ENCASING

• Use when ribbon and band are the same width

• Cut 1 piece of ribbon the same length as the band, and 1 piece 2” longer

• Apply permanent glue stick to inside of band & adhere shorter ribbon

• Apply permanent glue stick to outside and adhere ribbon, allowing 1” extensions on each end

• Turn under raw ends of ribbon and wrap extensions over both ends and stitch

• Stitch both ends together

• If band narrows at the ends, fold extra ribbon to the inside evenly on both sides and stitch

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Love Those Flowers?  Here's how it's done:

Materials:

• Ribbon (MR 28, 1½” wide)…36”     

• Wire:  (KS 18) …8”

• Bead or button for center of flower

• 2 leaves from ribbon (XL16), optional

• Gathered green ribbon (BA08, 3/8” wide)…4”

• Thread to match plaid and green

• Permanent glue stick.

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Flower:

• Center a bead or button on the wire, then tightly twist the wire into a stem

• Cut ribbon into two 18” pieces, prepare both per ILLUSTRATION #1 below      

• Hold the end folds in place with a dab of glue

• Expose the ribbon’s wire at point B

• Holding wire in place at point A, carefully pull exposed wire from B to create gathers.

• Place the stem on the gathered ribbon at point A, as in ILLUSTRATION #2

• Roll ribbon once or twice around the stem, keeping gathers fairly even

• Tack ribbon in place through several rolled layers, keeping gathers balanced and the roll secure as you go.

• Repeat for the second ribbon and finish by checking the rolled ribbon and making any necessary adjustments.

• Carefully tack one end of the narrow gathered green ribbon to the flower’s base

• Wrap it around the wire stem 2 – 3 times, not pulling out the gathers.

• Use a few stitches to secure the gathered band at the base of the flower.

• Pull the remainder of this ribbon flat and wrap it tightly around the wire stem.

• Secure the end with a few stitches and a dab of glue if needed.

• Stitch the 2 faux suede leaves (ribbon XL16) to the stem

• Sew the bloom onto the band where it suites you best.

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**For detailed instructions on any of the above headbands, email us @ sales@mayarts.com.  We will gladly forward them to you.**

Blog Posted By: Ellen Highsmith Silver

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