A Summer Wreath in Silk-Ribbon Embroidery

This year’s Twelve Months of On-the-Go Projects, created by members of our PieceWork team, is our way of thanking our All Access subscribers for being such valued members of our community. Each of the upcoming monthly patterns was designed to be quick, fun, and portable. The projects will encompass a variety of crafts, so that you can sample an array of different techniques year-round.

In 1880, the silk thread company Briggs & Co. published a catalog of its new iron-on transfer drawings meant for needleworkers and artists. The company was very proud of its patented technology that would allow someone to use a hot iron to transfer a design to wood, paper, or cloth. The Briggs & Co. patterns reflected the styles that were popular at the time, and most of the book is filled with drawings of stylized flowers combined to form bouquets, sprays, and wreaths. My silk-ribbon summer wreath was inspired by Briggs & Co.’s timeless floral designs.

Silk ribbon is ideal for adding a dimensional quality to blossoms and leaves. The delicately tinted shades of overdyed ribbon add interest to the flowers and greenery in this hooped embroidery. This small project would be easy to toss in your travel bag this summer. Stitch the design to bring the outdoors into your home as hoop-framed wall décor. Or sew a ribbon bow to the top of the fabric and make a ring-bearer pillow for an upcoming wedding. The final project will be lovely either way!

Detail of the variety of flowers in Pat’s wreath.