About fifteen years ago I got the ribbon embroidery bug after seeing a piece in a magazine. At the time there wasn't much out there on the topic so I just bought some ribbon and had at it.
It was hard work. Pulling that ribbon through fabric. I think I made two pieces and that was that. Now I am seeing more and more and I'm wanting to give it another try - this time buying proper silk ribbon and getting a book that shows the stitches.
The jacket above isn't my handiwork. Alas no. Actually it is a bed jacket that was featured in a clothing catalog and I was so smitten with it - but it was ridiculously expensive. It was advertised as a bed jacket but the marketing folks said they loved it paired with a tank top and a pair of faded jeans. I could just see myself in that outfit. But like I said it was too dear and I passed on it. Then after about two years of seeing it over and over again in their catalog they decided to mark it way down so I pounced and bought it.
And I have never worn it.
It's a wee bit snug. I'm hoping that in a few months I can pull on my jeans and tank top and throw this on top and have it look like it does in my fantasy.
I'm thinking that the ribbon embroidery is what made it such a pricey piece. If *I* had done the embroidery on it I sure would want to charge a pretty penny for it.
(Cue the wavery, dreamlike lines and see Andrea gazing off into the distance, envisioning her cottage industry of selling ridiculously expensive ribbon embroidered garments and being the darling of both the craft and fashion world....)
I'm not surprised you wanted this, it's beautiful. I've always admired ribbon embroidery, but have never really given it a try. Who knows, I may get there one day
Posted by: Miss 376 | August 05, 2008 at 05:12 AM
That is beautiful... I would love to be able to create it too.
Posted by: Maureen | August 05, 2008 at 08:32 AM
You are very funny! And I would certainly buy ribbon embroidery from Andrea's Fashion Empire!
Posted by: Alexis | August 05, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I was surfing the Blogs and I came by yours. That gorgeous jacket caught my eyes, and I had to continue reading what you had to say. Please keep imagining yourself wearing your beautiful jacket and making them also. Dreams do come true. I add your link to (My Beautiful Places To Visit)
Posted by: Virginia | August 05, 2008 at 03:29 PM
The jacket is lovely. I tried ribbon embroidery a decade or so ago and didn't even finish my first piece. Way too hard for not much fun.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | August 05, 2008 at 05:43 PM
That is a beautiful jacket. I hope you enjoy wearing it. I've never tried ribbon embroidery but it sounds like fun.
Posted by: Judy | August 05, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Hey There! Love the ribbon embroidered bed jacket. I DO silk ribbon embroidery. To me it isn't hard at all, but, a person must love doing handwork in order to enjoy this. I also have done a bit of designing of the embroidery too. I LOVE that part best.
Please visit my blog and, or etsy shop, if you've a mind to see what I do. And, bravo to you for giving it a try! I enjoy what you do and love the blog! Pat
Posted by: Patricia Eaton | August 06, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I've done ribbon embroidery too! I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and my mom said it was easy! I remember thinking it looked so complicated! It is actually really easy if you know how to do basic embroidery stitches. I still have some shirts I did it on but they no longer fit...hopefully soon since I just spent a fortune on Nutrisystem!
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | August 06, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Hi Andrea~
I'm glad you bought the sweet sweater! It is so pretty!
I know I have said this before, but every time you joke about another vision of selling an industry of this or that, it reminds me so much of, well, myself...and yet I think this means something. Maybe it's a clue that you are meant to do something like that someday. And when it comes, you'll know it!
So, keep dreaming! It just may happen, you know! :)
Posted by: Jenni- nest to keep | August 06, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Very pretty! And, I'm sure you will look as good wearing it as long as you keep dreaming it and stick to a plan! (I have a similar dream and a do-able plan and a closet of clothing waiting for me.)
Posted by: Camille | August 07, 2008 at 07:35 AM
You know what I love about your blog? If you Google "under a blue moon", you are the FIRST entry listed. Every single time, for the past year, you have been the first option of 2,670,000 results. You ROCK!
Posted by: LizzyMae | August 07, 2008 at 06:45 PM
The ribbon embroidery is gorgeous! I, too, would love to learn to do it.
You're going to love wearing that very soon-I'm sure it will look just like in your dreams.
Posted by: Karen | August 07, 2008 at 07:28 PM