Tips, Tools & Techniques - Ribbon Weaving

Hello! Here's our regular feature where we share tips, tools & techniques that have caught our eye, things we have Pinned, and things we have tried. These are probably not going to change your life(!) but might make it a bit easier or more fun!

I did this a while ago for our last Textile ATC swap, but thought I would go into more detail and share with you how I made the woven embellishment.

I collected a variety of ribbons in different widths and types of fabric in the colour scheme I wanted (actually some of these "ribbons" are bits of bias binding as I didn't have black ribbon but had LOADS of this!!)

After working out the size of the piece I wanted, I cut a piece of backing fabric the same size. I used a grey/black patterned cotton scrap so that it wouldn't show too much through the holes in the weaving piece.

I ironed some fusible web to one side of this cotton and then laid it down (fusible web side up) onto a piece of foam mount board. 

I placed different ribbons along the length of this piece, and pinned them into the board, keeping them fairly tightly pulled. I then wove pieces of the same selection of ribbons across the width, alternating as you would normally do with weaving. I again used pins in to the board to hold these in place.

When completed I (carefully!) slid the final piece onto an ironing board, covered with a tea towel and ironed it to fuse the ribbon weaving to the backing piece.

You are left with a fairly stable piece to use however you want - I cut out a shape for my ATC and had plenty left over! 

I've never had a ribbon addiction but I think I have now..!

We are linking up to these parties!