Making flowers from ribbon is the perfect project for beginning ribbonwork. Few materials are required, and the process is simple. Once you’ve learned the steps, you can almost immediately devote your full attention to the fun part: choosing and combining colors and arranging the gathered or folded ribbons into attractive blossoms.

As long as the ribbon is made from woven fabric, rather than paper or plastic, it can be used to make flowers. Ribbons with simple solid or blended colors, as well as those with patterns, jacquard weaves, and embroidered edges make lovely flowers.
The ribbons shown include: 3/8-inch-wide rayon grosgrain, wire-edged ribbon, iridescent organdy, and ombré taffeta. Ombré taffeta makes wonderful leaves, as you can easily reverse the placement of the shading. Wire-edged ribbons can be shaped, and iridescent organdies offer a reflective, sheer quality.

Use mercerized cotton or smooth polyester thread to stitch the flowers and leaves…