 |
| Flower Made with Cardboard Wrapper |
Crafting sometimes requires
innovation, and occasionally I need a tool I don't have available. A Scrap
Wrapper is a plastic gadget like a ruler with a slit in the center that has room
for your sewing machine presser foot. It makes a large fringe for cotton rugs,
but I want to make tiny flowers that look like carnations for ribbon crafts, or
smaller fringe.
 |
| Carnation for Ribbon Embroidery |
You can use a seam gauge for a ribbon
wrapper. Slide the stop to one end and start wrapping the ribbon from one end to
the other. Don't overlap and don't wrap tightly. Cut the end of the ribbon. Go
to the sewing machine and stitch in the center opening of the seam gauge to the
end. Pivot the gauge and stitch back to the starting point. Leave some thread to
pull for gathers when you're done.
 |
| Wrap Silk Ribbon on the Seam Gauge |
 |
| Silk Ribbon from Seam Gauge |
Cut each side of the ribbon with
scissors by sliding the sharp point under the ribbon even with the wrapped edge.
Cut the ribbon on both sides and pull it through the seam gauge from the center.
Now you have a ribbon that can be gathered into a carnation for ribbon
embroidery. Pull the thread to make the gathers and roll the ribbon into a
round. Use the excess thread to wrap the back tight to keep the flower
shape.
 |
| Make Your Own Scrap Wrapper |
 |
| Wrap Ribbon From End to End and Stitch in Center |
You can also make your own scrap
wrapper with cardboard. Here's the easy way: Cut two strips of cardboard about
half an inch wide and 20 inches long. Cut two squares of cardboard about 2
inches square. Line the strips parallel to each other and place a square on each
end. Staple the squares in place. Wrap ribbon (I used 3/4 inch ribbon) on the
two strips. Don't wrap it tight or you won't be able to sew between the
strips.
 |
| Ribbon Removed without Cutting Sides |
 |
| Ribbon Cut on Sides Before Removing |
Sew between the strips from one end
to the other, pivot and return slightly to the side of the first row of
stitching. (This makes it easier to gather.) Leave enough thread to pull for
gathers. Cut the ribbon on each side of the strips and pull it out through the
middle opening.
Alternatively, if you would like to
have puffy ruffles that aren't cut, remove one square you stapled on the end of the cardboard wrapper and
slide the stitched ribbon off the strips.
Pull the thread to gather the ruffle
and use it for your crafts projects. This could make a garter for a wedding or
an adornment for just about any fabric crafts project. You can also make flowers
by cutting a fabric circle for backing. Starting in the center, stitch the
ribbon in a continuous circle from small to larger.
|
| Flower Made from Uncut Ribbon |
Happy crafting!
Linda
http://www.cajunc.com
