Guest Author - Susan Kramer

This tutorial is for learning how to make decorative stitching right on top of ribbon trims on your doll making projects.

In the photo you will see my 18 inch Amanda cloth doll modeling a dress with decorative embroidered ribbon trims - and Floppy is at her side keeping her company. In case you are new to the Cyber Doll House, Floppy is our resident mascot dog, store-bought, but loved nonetheless.

It is easiest to stitch decorative designs overtop of one quarter inch wide ribbon or wider. And that is what you see in this photo.

How to

- First complete sewing together your project, such as a dress, skirt or blouse.

- Lay out several ribbons and decide which colors to use, and where you will put them. Choose washable ribbons if your project will be laundered.

- Either satin or cross grain ribbon work well. Remember, it should be at least one quarter inch wide.

- Using tiny running stitches hand sew the ribbon onto the material. I make 2 rows, each just inside the outside edge - that is where they are least visible.

- Now for the decorative stitches - pull out your collection of floss and decide which colors look best overlaying the ribbon trim.

- What I like to do first is sew Xs as in the photo, either using one color for all the Xs or every other X in a contrasting color. I use 6 strand embroidery floss so the design will stand out nicely above the surface. And I space the Xs one inch (2.5cm) a part.

- Alternately, between the Xs I embroider a French knot in a contrasting color.

That is really all there is to decorating ribbon trim. The most important part is the foundation, and that is sewing the ribbon securely to the doll clothing before beginning the sewing phase.

Most important of all, have fun with your doll making projects!

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Article and photo by Susan Kramer