CQJP 2015 - May Block - Ribbon Play

My completed May CQJP block - Playing with Ribbons

This month I played with Ribbon trims etc.  This is my completed block.  I will definitely be incorporating many of these in future projects.  I love ribbons and have a few references that, up until now, I have only drooled over.  This was a good opportunity to experiment.  I hope you like the results enough to try it yourself.

I began by replacing the center patch with a piece of woven ribbons.  For the woven ribbons I followed the directions on the booklet by McCalls called Bridal Elegance.  There are lots of possibilities with this weaving.

I believe I incorporated ten different ribbon trims/techniques not counting the little silk ribbon flowers just above the braided ribbons or the rosebud trim.  There were many more I could do but my blocks are going into a fabric book which would have flattened them so I chose to stick with the more flat techniques.  Lots of close-ups follow, captioned with the name of the ribbon trim techniques:

Ribbon Prairie Points topped with vintage rick rack, decorative embroidery and beads

Ribbon Beads Trim and silk ribbon woven through closed blanket stitch

Silk ribbon roses stitched over silk flower petals; center gathered ribbon below that
along with a ribbon bow

A little closer view of the center gathered ribbon and silk roses

Looped ribbon (top) and rosebud trim (center) - This wasn't added to block, just played with it

Another angle of looped braid and rosebud trim

Top view of two ribbon techniques

The narrow sheer ribbon in teal was used for the rushing technique -
Adds wonderful texture

Ribbon bow adorned with seed beads which also hold it in place
and a section of looped braid

3 colors of 1/4" ribbons - braided trim

Below are some books from my reference library.  I would recommend any of them.

Lots of eye candy and instructions in the following two books.  Beautiful vignettes and project photos for inspiration.

Ribbon Embellishments is a 'how to' book I just found at my local Hobby Lobby.  It is an excellent source with very clear directions and lots of photos of Trims/Braids, Rosettes and Leaves, Ribbon Sculptures and techniques with beads and baubles.  This is a definite keeper!

Now I need to figure out what I am going to do for June.  I have a few ideas but just not sure which to do next.