Violets Violets are very versatile filler flowers in ribbon work. Scatter them across a hat, make a posy, or tuck them behind another flower in a collage brooch. They also look sweet displayed in an old perfume bottle.

1. Violets are made in two steps using the continuous u-gather technique with two separate pieces of ribbon. Use 1/2"- or 3/4"-wide wired or unwired ribbons in a selection of lavenders and purples. Silk embroidery ribbons, 13mm wide, and 5/8"-wide bias cut silk ribbons also work well for violets. Mix and match colors for variety. Cut a 3?" length of ribbon for the back two petals and a 4?" length for the three front petals. These measurements include a 1/8" margin on each side of the cut edge. If the ribbon is wired, remove the wire on the gathering edge.

2. Fold the shorter piece in half and crease the ribbon to mark the center. Stitch a u-shape in each half, gathering the ribbon tightly as you go. Secure the thread and cut.

3. Fold the longer piece in thirds and crease the fabric to mark each third. Stitch a continuous u-gather in each third, gathering tightly as you go. Secure the thread and join the ends together, being sure the center is tight. Secure and cut the thread.

4. Stitch the back petals to a 1" piece of crinoline. Place the front three petals on top and stitch together. 5. The center for each violet can be a knot of 7mm yellow silk embroidery ribbon, a stamen, seed beads, one large bead or button. 6. If you are stemming the violet, make a small loop in a 4" piece of 32-gauge wire and stitch or glue it to the back of the crinoline. Cover the back with a piece of ribbon slipped over the stem. 7. Wrap the stem with floral tape, bias cut ribbon, or perle cotton.

Copyright 2000. Helen Gibb. All rights reserved.

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