Best way to sew on ribbon trim?

Question

I'm making a pincushion for a gift. I am making a simple square, 2 pieces of fabric sewn together and stuffed, with ribbon as a trim going criss cross on the square "pillow", making it look a little like a present, with a button sewn tightly at the cross on either side to make it look tufted. My question...when & how to sew on the ribbon...I'm thinking hand stitch it on after the pillow part is sewn together and turned right side out but before stuffing? Or maybe after stuffing. Either way that means hand sewing. what stitch to use? whipstitch? The ribbon is about 3/8" wide.

Answer 1

You can do 2 ways.



You could cut the ribbon into 4 pieces and put it on before you sew the squares together. Do a plus sign on the back and the front, then match them up so that it looks like it's tied around the pillow.



But what I would do is just finish the pillow and cut the ribbon into 2 pieces, then tie them around and sew it by hand to the very bottom and top of the pillow, leaving it free otherwise. That way, your friend can put her pins into the pillow but poke her needles into the ribbon and they won't go all the way through the pincushion or get lost in it.

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Answer 2

You're going to have to sew. This is not a tied tutu. This is a gathered tutu and the ribbon will need to be sewn onto the tulle. Even if you could manage to glue the ribbon to the tulle (and I don't recommend it because the ribbon will show the glue), you will still have to sew the waistband. I think I would start with a length of tulle that is three times the waist measurement. If the waist measurement is 20 inches, cut a length of tulle that is at least 60 inches long. Maybe even longer. I'm not sure how long you want it, but add a few inches for volume. Double it, add an inch or two for the waistband. Sew the ribbon onto each long edge. Fold it over, ribbon to ribbon and sew it together to make a short, fat tube. Sew a casing for the elastic waistband. Leave the seam area OPEN so you can thread the elastic into the casing. Once you have that threaded through, sew the elastic together, close up the hole and voila. Try this with one folded layer of tulle first, then try it with two folded layers. I think you'll want that kind of fullness, but two layers of tulle is bullshit. Believe me, try it with a single piece first. EDIT: What did you decide? I did find some people making the no-sew tied tutus with ribbon edging, but it's really ugly.

Answer 3

Make your pillow and turn right side out. Stuff, close then cut two pieces of ribbon big enough to go around. Then tack ribbons together on the top in the center. Then sew a button all the way through the pillow to make it look tufted.



Hope this helps you out.

Answer 4

You could use fabric glue instead of sewing.

Here's a video:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/27922_clothing-patches-ribbon-glue.htm



Good luck!