OK, so I got the new Anthropologie catalog, and they are charging, like, $60 for these cute knit hats (got that part covered) with these darling little ribbon flowers all over them. I say I want to make my own damn ribbon flowers, but I don't know how. Can anyone help? Google hasn't helped so far.

Don't know how to make them, but I do know that ribbon flowers are sold $1 a pack for about 3-4 medium siwed flowers. Buying them would probably save a lot of time and frustration. But it would be kinda nifty to find out how to make those...

Is this the hat you're looking at, at Anthropologie?
>http://www.anthropologie.com/images/us//local/products/alt5/34500_a5.jpg

That looks like it was made with wired ribbon.

Here's instructions for sorta similar flowers from Carol Duvall:
>http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_needlework_ribbons/article/0,1789,HGTV_3266_1377734,00.html

Basically, I googled "how to make wire ribbon flowers" and there were lotsa links.

That is the hat!

I had found that link, but it isn't *quite* what I'm looking for. I'll keep looking, though. I love the flower ribbon design that the Anthropologie hat has--I would love to know how to reproduce it.

I don't know if it just proves how much I need to get a life, or if I should be proud of myself..., but I saw the hat and thought; hey, I WILL find out how that's done! So I sat down with some ribbon, a needle and thread, and this is how it worked for me. I'm gonna try and explain...
Cut several pieces (the petals) the same length.
Hold piece horizontally in your hands, start in the middle and make folds at the bottom (folds go vertically).
When you get to the ends, make sure the edge of the ribbon faces towards you (not down), so you get the 'lip' of the petal folding in and not out.
Secure with a few stitches.
Stitch petals together to form flower, try to 'hide' raw edge towards the back,.
If you're still with me...stitch them on to backing (I'd just use my imagination with some matching fabric there...) make a few of those knot stitches in appropriate yarn/embroidering thread directly on to petals to hide stitches.
If you feel the silk ribbon may fray and fall apart, stick some fabric glue on the (again) raw edges.
Voila!

Don't think I could follow this myself actually, even though I wrote it... Good luck.

a few months ago, martha stewart baby mag. (spring '03, pg. 100) had a project for rick-rack flowers that looked really awesome. i don't even have a baby, i just liked the look of the flower project while waiting in line at the grocery store. it's not what you are asking about, but i it's very anthropology and i think it would be a great addition to a knit hat.

check out her website (marthastewart.com) in the projects section or the archives at the library.

There are instuctions for rick rack flowers and other stuff in the MS Living magazine for December. I'm not sure if they are they same ones in the baby mag, but they are cute.

Those look like actual ribbon embroidery to me--i.e. rather than attaching already made flowers to the hat, the ribbon is sewn into the hat to create the flowers.

It's not hard to do with some practice and it looks beautiful in real life. You can buy the ribbon and other materials at any craft store in the embroidery section.
>http://www.silk-ribbon-embroidery.com/

An article for beginners:>http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00017.asp

yep, that's ribbon embroidery. the center motif looks like a form of quilling as well.

I wouldn't reccomend any form of creating the flowers with ribbon that involves actually cutting individual petals, as most ribbon, especially silk, runs and frays just by looking at it.

Jen

Huge hugs and thanks to everyone who helped with this! Can't wait to give it a try.

Also try these books:
The Artful Ribbon, by Candace Kling (ribbon flower guru)
The Secrets of Fashioning Ribbon Flowers, by Helen Gibb
Both are very good for inspiration and the Helen Gibb book is best for clear instructions.
Once you start, you'll be addicted!
Definitely recommend Hanah Silks for gorgeous bias cut ribbon. Would be darling for a hat.>http://www.artemisinc.com