Ribbon embroidery is so pretty and delicate as well as having a three-dimensional quality that its appeal is instant. It does look rather difficult to do however and perhaps better left to the advanced embroiderer - or not, as this useful primer proves. Even if you want to paint your own backgrounds for your work you still won't need to buy much in order to take up this hobby. Mostly you will need the right sort of ribbons, needles and fabric. If you have done any freestyle embroidery you will already know most of the stitches, so what remains is to get to grips with what you don't know. Find out how to prepare the ribbon and learn one stitch unique to this style of embroidery then you are off with your first simple project, a wild rose. The subjects portrayed in this book are flowers, a wide range of favorites found in English gardens as well as vessels and backgrounds to set them off. This book is filled with projects suitable for all types of applications and many are small enough to enable you to practice by making some greetings cards. As well as the embroidery stitches there is also advice on the painting aspect, for which you do not need to be proficient in art, merely capable of some simple techniques such as making a simple flower pot stencil with a piece of card. Add to this the fairly small format and helpful spiral bound spine enabling the book to stay open, and you have a book that is going to stay on my keeper shelf. Most of the material in this book was previously published in two books, Beginner's Guide to Silk Ribbon Embroidery (1998) and Silk Ribbon Embroidery Designs and Techniques (2002).-Myshelf.com Author Ann Cox has long been known for her skills in silk ribbon embroidery and she shares her knowledge with readers in this handbook which is perfect for anyone who wants to learn the technique. The book is written in step-by-step format with Ann taking you through all the stages required. Learn how to work more than thirty-five flowers with foliage, how to paint a background, how to get the best out of your materials and how to display your work. There are only three basic stitches and a selection of gathering techniques required. The book has clear photography accompanying all the text and it comes spiral bound which makes it easy to use as a handbook, especially when you need to flip over the pages.-Classic Stitches Ann is a silk ribbon embroidery designer who also teaches. This well illustrated book offers a vast array of floral stitches which can be used to make individual pictures or combined to make realistic scenes. Based on just three basic stitches and gathering techniques, you can learn how to stitch over thirty-five different flowers. With fifteen detailed projects this book will keep the embroiderer happy for hours.-Fabrications A practical spiral bound book, based on a combination of material from two of Ann's previously published books, which provides all the techniques required to create stunning embroideries. Based on just three basic stitches and gathering techniques, it shows how to stitch over thirty-five different flowers including roses, geraniums, pansies and sweet peas plus over fifteen more detailed projects, helpting to develop skills even further. All templates are supplied along with colourful photographs, detailed line drawings and clear step-by-step instructions. In addition the book also covers painting and stenciling backgrounds on to fabric; painting the ribbons themselves and mounting and framing the finished piece.-Sew Today This useful handbook provides all the techniques and contains everything we need to know to create beautiful silk ribbon embroideries. Based on just three basic stitches and gathering techniques, we learn how to stitch over 35 different flowers. There are over 15 more detailed projects to take our skills even further, all with templates and full instructions provided. As well as stitching, the book covers painting and stencilling backgrounds on to fabric; painting ribbons, and shows how to mount and frame finished pieces. It's a beautifully presented, highly comprehensive and inspiring book, with a practical wire-bound format so each page lies completely flat.-Machine Knitting Monthly This neat little handbook is an excellent guide to creating beautiful flower portraits in ribbon stitching. The author is a keen gardener as well as an embroiderer and this is very obvious in the work she creates, Her use of silk ribbon means that the colour range can match natural shades or even be dyed for extra scope, Techniques are clearly explained in photographs and the simple range of stitching used makes this an ideal book enabling anyone to find out how to create naturalistic flowers. Information about painting and stencilling backgrounds and the painting of ribbons is another helpful chapter. Mounting and framing are also explained in simple terms. This is a very useful ring bound book which is easy to work from whilst stitching.-Meg-online.info

First and foremost, Ann Cox is a silk ribbon embroidery designer who runs her own company selling silk ribbons and kits. She teaches at colleges of further education, takes classes in her own studio and gives talks to clubs and guilds. She is also a professional cake decorator, a very keen gardener and is interested in many other crafts, especially those relating to flowers. Ann lives with her husband, Ashley, in a small viallage near Southampton in Hampshire. Ann has her own website : http://www.anncoxsilkribbons.co.uk/

Introduction Materials and equipment Embroidering with silk ribbons Ribbon stitch Wild rose Iris Canterbury bell Martagon lily Rudbeckia French knots Spray of roses Bells of Ireland Primula candelabra Honeysuckle Blossom Blackberries Straight stitch Geranium Fully open rose Wheat Narcissus Buttercup Aster Morning glory Monarda Begonia Delphinium Gathering techniques Scabious Poppy Anemone Pansy Aquilegia Sweet pea Catkins Fuchsia Two-tone roses Larkspur Lazy daisy stitch Bleeding heart Irises Rosebud Broom, bluebells and red-hot pokers Bows Using threads Leaves Projects Spring flowers Bouquet of roses Country garden Poppies and wheat Fuchsia sampler Laburnum arches Stencilling a background Painting a background Country scene Pansies Water lilies and bullrushes Magnolia Flower containers Textured pot Vase Cut-glass bowl Basket Painting ribbons Delphiniums and asters Sweet peas Californian poppies Single rose Spray of chrysanthemums Polyanthus and daffodils Mounting and framing Index