Ribbon Bracelets

One of the things that you can easily make with ribbon is a bracelet.
The ones I have pictured here are really simple.   The ends of the ribbon are just crimped inside these metal ends called ribbon crimps.  They are open a bit when you get them, and you just hold the ribbon in the area, and crimp the metal closed with some pliers.  then you add a couple of jump rings and a simple clasp and your bracelet is ready to wear!

 The green and white one is just one piece of ribbon.  ( I find that about 5" or 5-1/2" is a good length, since the metal pieces add a bit of length, but you might need to fine tune that to your needs)
The narrow one is a piece of pink velvet ribbon stitched on to a piece of wool:

 For this one, I stitched the green and white ribbon on to a piece of wool, and use a clip on earring from a thrift store as added ornamentation:

Of course you could add stitching or embroidery, or beads, or.....

If you can't find a ribbon crimp end, (yes, we have them at the store, I ordered some in because they can be hard to find,  but not the closures, you can usually find them easily at a bead store), you could make a cuff with a button closure as an alternative. 

Ribbon Contest

I know that a while ago, I broached the idea of having a contest with a ribbon theme.  I haven't forgotten about this.  I just haven't had any brilliant ideas about how to present it.  So, without further ado, I will just make it a simple contest.

The Ribbon Challenge:
      the challenge is to make something fun using ribbon. 

Time Frame: 
       starting now, projects to be submitted to the shop by April 6th, 5:30 p.m.

Rules:
      to use ribbon in a project, small or large. (examples, you could embellish something  like a tea towel, a handbag, pillowcase, apron, quilt, wall hanging, placemats, jewellery item, picture frame,  clothing....)
      please use ribbon that you have obtained from Periwinkle.  (You can add in some special ones you already have)
 
Prizes will be given for:
1. Viewer's choice,  ($50 gift certificate)
2. Project using the most ribbon in one piece (prize will be more ribbon)
3. Other prize categories will be decided as I think of them.

Good luck everyone!

Update on my ribbon handbag

This is a photo of the project I did the other day where I tried weaving ribbons to make a panel:
I combined the panel with some pretty, pale blue-green velveteen,

 It uses an "internal metal spring purse frame" for the top opening. 

 I sewed a row of pockets into the lining to store important things like scissors and eyeglasses.  You can see many of my english paper pieces in the bottom!
I was fortunate in having some purse straps on hand.  So that is my carpetbag project carrier!

New Ribbon! and a contest!

We just received more new ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons,
their website is   here
Aren't they amazing?

Black and white zebra

Amy Butler, mosaic

Amy Butler, Blue on Gray Sari Petal

Anna Maria Horner, Spinning wheel, coral and cream

Gold tape with Black edges

Antique Gold metallic tape

Ivory and Gold Greek Key

Kaffe Fassett, Guinea Flower on Black and white

Kaffe Fassett, Plum and Orange Kite tail

Kaffe Fassett, Orange and Purple palm fan

Kaffe Fassett, blue and purple phase stripes

plus, there are 17 other ribbons that came a couple of weeks ago from Renaissance as well! 
It was really difficult to choose which ribbons to order.  Much harder than to order fabric.  There were so many options, and it was hard to envisage how each one could be useful in a project. 


In December, I wrote a post on all the ribbon inspirations that I acquired at their booth at Quilt Market in Houston,   here. 

Now, I am anxious to put some of these ideas into practice.

We should have a contest!  At the store, for using ribbons in a project!  This is a new idea-- I need help brainstorming for this contest, so all input is welcomed! ( including ideas on prizes, categories, parameters, etc,)

Mini Bag with Ribbon Handles

I've started making these little bags to slip things in for gifts-- they are so easy to make, and only take about 10 minutes each.  I think that they are so fast because I'm using felted wool, and so I don't have to worry about finishing the edges or turning them under, plus the felt is thick enough to have enough body for a nice feel to the bag.
So here is the step by step description of how to!:
  gather supplies:
     a rectangle of felted wool, mine is 6" x 13"
     about 45 inches of ribbon for handles
     about 12-1/2" of ribbon for decoration
     optional applique or button to embellish the bag

  place your ribbon about an inch in from one long edge

 lay the ribbon down as a loop, making sure not to get any twists in it

 make sure the handles are equal in size, and then pin down the ribbon

top stitch the ribbon down to the base rectangle, it will look like this on the back

 fold the bag in half and stitch one of the side seams with a 1/4" seam allowance, press it open,
 top-stitch the other ribbon across the place where the raw edges of the handle ribbon meet

 sew the other side seam and press it open
"box" the bottom corners of the bag by stitching a short seam perpendicular to the side seam.  Don't stitch into the ribbon area,

 turn it inside out!
this one shows that I didn't use a second ribbon, but I just sewed a little applique over the raw ends of the handle ribbon.

Now that I've made about 8 of these, I want to try some other sizes, and maybe use a quilted rectangle.... isn't sewing fun?!!!

(update, another good size is: rectangle, 7-1/2" x 17", ribbon handle, 60")

Ribbon Inspirations

I am pretty excited about ribbon lately. 
Yesterday we got some new ribbons delivered, and we have even more exciting new ribbons coming in early December and early January.
At quilt Market we saw some great samples made with them -- these photos are all from the Renaissance Ribbons booth:

there are some great designer ribbons available that co-ordinate with their fabrics!

I love the green cushion-- fun gathered ribbon flower, the crossed ribbon, the echo quilting!

fun tote bag, uses a lot of Kaffe ribbons,

these cushions are so fun, I like the woven ribbons on the cushion!

!!!!

easy pincushions

what about hanging in a hoop? you wouldn't need to finish the edges with beading,

placemats, napkin rings, little purses,

journal covers,

more fun stuff

cute bow tie on the christmas cushion

So many great ideas using ribbons!  Which to start with???  (I have some projects in the works!!!)