This easy technique can be used to make a pansy or viola. Use this as an embellishment on a crazy quilt block. The pansy is made with the fine wire removed from the edge of both the flower’s ribbon and the flower center’s ribbon.The back petals were made using 5½” of size 3 (5/8” wide) ribbon, the lower petals were made using 8¼” of size 3 (5/8” wide) ribbon, and the flower center was made using 4” of size 3 (5/8” wide) ribbon. Here’s a step-by-step picture, sewn with black thread to make the stitches easier to see. I use a size 10 milliner's needle, Nymo bead thread, and French wired ribbon.
· Cut 5½” of ribbon for the back petals. Remove the wire. Cut this piece in half, and overlap the pieces into a V. If you’re using an ombre ribbon, the color at the top of the ribbon (the inside of the V) will be the top of the back petals. Pin to secure. Starting at the top of the edge about 1/8” in from the cut end, insert the needle, and make a couple of very small tacking stitches to secure the thread. This will keep the knot from pulling through the ribbon, and will help to secure the gathering.
· Using a 1/8” running stitch, sew down the cut edge to the opposite edge. Continue to sew down the edge, across the lapped cut ends, up the other edge, and up the other cut end to the other edge. Do not cut your thread yet. Pull the thread gently to gather, knot off and cut the thread now. Set the back petals aside.
· Cut 8¼” of ribbon for the lower petals. Remove the wire. Divide this piece in thirds (2¾”) with pins. Diagonally fold each end up at the pin to create a U. If you’re using an ombre ribbon, the color at the top of the ribbon (the inside bottom of the U) will be the edge of the bottom of the lower petal.
· Using a 1/8” running stitch, sew down the cut edge to the opposite edge. Continue to sew down the edge, across the fold, down the edge, across the other fold, up the edge, and across the other cut end to the other edge. Do not cut your thread yet. Pull the thread gently but firmly to gather the lower petals tightly, and knot off. Do not cut your thread yet. On the back of the lower petals, sew the beginning and ending knots together with a few small tacking stitches. Knot off, and cut the thread now. There WILL and SHOULD be a small hole in the center of the lower petals. Set the lower petals aside.
· Pin the upper petals to a small piece of crinoline. Cut 4” of ribbon for the pansy center. Remove the wire. Tie a knot in the center of the ribbon. Pull the knot tight. Fold the cut edges of the center together, and push them through the hole in the center of the lower petals. Do not push the knot all the way through the center. Pull the tails of the center ribbon down.
· Lay the lower petals on top of the upper petals that are pinned to the crinoline. Adjust the upper petals if necessary. Sew the pansy to the crinoline, using very small stitches in the folds of the ribbon. Sew all around the center to hold the center knot securely. Be sure to catch the back petals in the stitching also. Carefully trim the excess crinoline away from the pansy, being careful not to cut any stitches or the ribbon.
Enjoy your beautiful pansies…
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