Shabby chic is a style and a term popularized by designer Rachel Ashwell. The shabby chic style reflects a devotion to high-quality, time-worn objects and practical comfortable surroundings. Embellishing personal and home decor items with silk ribbon is a way to bring a touch of old-fashioned style to everyday items. Use vintage silk ribbon and a needle, or buy pre-embroidered lengths of embroidered garland for shabby chic projects.
Personal Items
Sew a piece of vintage fabric into a fabric headband, and embellish it by embroidering flowers or a simple vine on it with silk ribbon. If you're a beginner, embroider small knots to look like polka dots across the surface.
Add vintage shabby chic flair to a plain white apron. Embroider a ribbon border across the top edge or a design on the pocket.
Home Decor
Embroidery is a traditional way of decorating bed linens, pillowcases, hand towels and table linens. Begin with items made with vintage fabric or muslin because they have a classic, comfortable look. Embroider a simple design with silk ribbon, such as a violet, tiny roses or simple twisted stitches, along the edge of a tea towel or on the hems of a set of linen napkins. Or cut a long strip of unhemmed white cotton fabric or muslin and stitch random flowers on it. Use it as a table runner.
For the Bath
Decorative towels placed neatly on the vanity welcome your guests. Give the towels a shabby chic look by embroidering a simple design, such as a flower, stars or a sun, on them. Or lightly write words of welcome on the towels with a pencil. Embroider over the pencil marks with very fine silk ribbon.
Embroidered Gifts
Give an embroidered beach bag to a couple heading to a honeymoon at the beach. Hand-sew a length of silk embroidery garland around the top edge of the bag or use an upholstery needle and thin satin or silk ribbon to stitch a friendly phrase, such as "Life's a Beach!" or "Live, Love and Laugh." Or sew seashells and beads directly onto the bag with silk ribbon and thread. Fill the bag with beach towels and sunscreen and add a personalized note.
Even the note can be embroidered with ribbon -- fold a piece of heavy duty card stock or watercolor paper in half, and sew an irregularly shaped heart on the front with a needle and extra-thin silk ribbon.
Related posts
You can make your own ribbon rosettes to use on a hair bow or a dress.Shabby ribbon rosettes are often used to decorate hair bands or clothing, but can often be pricey if you purchase premade rose...
Lend rich color and a luxurious feel to craft projects by incorporating velvet ribbon as an eye-catching, dimensional touch. Use the plush ribbon as an accent or put it center stage to give inexpe...
More than anything else, making hair bows out of ribbon is an art in itself. It requires a lot of creativity and skill, as well as artistry, to create good styles and designs. Unfortunately, this...
Use ribbon to personalize a plain headband for a great gift.A monogrammed headband is a wonderful personalized accessory for any girl or woman. You can use any ribbon, from satin to colorful print...
Have Chic Modelesque HairMany people look at ads in high fashion magazines, billboards or television commercials and wonder what they can do to have chic modelesque hair. Models like Gisele or Adr...
