BOOK REVIEW: “OOOOOH” THE ESSENTIALS OF RIBBON NEEDLEPOINT WITH RIVER SILKS, self-published, 2006.
I get the question all the time, both from shopowners and from resellers — how do I do needlepoint with silk ribbon?
The folks at River Silks get the question too. At every market they attend, people flock to their booths, admiring the stitched samples and wanting to know “How do you do that?”
This book will tell you how. Illustrated in full color, and packed with information, OOOOOH will give you so many wonderful ideas for how to stitch with silk ribbons in projects where you’ve never dreamed of using them.
From the picture on the front page of a floral canvas stitched entirely in French Knots using ribbon of different widths to add texture, you will be enchanted.
The first chapter introduces stitching with silk ribbons. The second chapter is a mini-workshop on stitching with silk ribbon. It encourages you to get some ribbon and canvas and stitch along. You will learn how to thread the needle, how to start the ribbon and what to do when you run out of ribbon.
Each chapter begins with a detailed close-up picture of a hand-painted canvas, stitched entirely with silk ribbons. Many of these are done by novice stitchers and none are stitched by people who have done needlepoint for more than three years. You will be so encouraged by the results!
The third chapter covers several basic stitches. These are not diagrammed, so if any are unfamiliar to you, you will want to refer to a good stitch dictionary (there is a list of good reference books in the back of this volume).
The fourth and fifth chapters cover knots. The fourth chapter is devoted to French Knots and variations. Detailed instructions on making these knots, combination stitches with French Knots and hints are included. The fifth chapter covers Colonial Knots and includes three different methods of stitching them.
The sixth chapter covers the Ribbon Stitch. This stitch is adapted from ribbon embroidery on canvas and is the stitch which most people think of when they think of this technique. It is a versatile stitch and this chapter is full of creative ideas and examples for using it.
The following chapters expand on the knowledge you have gained by covering additional stitches, ideas for challenging areas of your canvas, and some very cool (and easy) special effects.
This book is a great addition to your library. It is easy enough for a beginning stitcher but provides the kind of detailed knowledge experienced stitchers will love when adapting these fibers to needlepoint.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Roberta Allan says
Thank you for the review of OOOOOH The Essentials. I love River Silk ribbons but have had a hard time finding it locally. I wanted to share a source I’ve found with the other readers. V V Prints carries many of the 4m ribbon collections, but I found will also sell individual spools of the wider ribbon by special order. Shipping is fast and prices are good. Check it out.
Jill Krynicki says
Thank you so much for your review of “OOOOOH!”. We have comments from stitchers and sample pages on our website: http://www.riversilks.com
-Jill