Ribbon Rose

To make a medium-sized ribbon rose requires two yards of satin ribbon

two inches wide. There are several different methods of making the

center for this rose. A simple center for this rose may be made from a

piece of the ribbon, four inches long. Fold this in half. Sew the

selvages together along one side. Turn and fill with cotton around which

has been wound the end of a six-inch piece of frame wire. A little

rose-sce ted sachet powder may be sprinkled on this cotton to add

perfume to the blossom. Gather the satin down close to the wire after

rounding the corners at the lower edges. Two yards should make this

center and eighteen petals. More may be added or fewer may be used. For

the first row cut three lengths three inches long; the second row, five

lengths three and one-half inches long; third row, five lengths four

inches long; fourth row five lengths four and one-half inches long. Each

petal is finished the same before it is sewed in place Fold the two

ends together, turn each corner of the folded end down diagonally and

pin in place. Now raise the end on the back of the petal and catch the

corners down with a few small stitches. Replace the end and gather the

raw edges together, but do not draw up close. Prepare all of the petals

in the same way before beginning to sew them to the center. Sometimes a

tiny bit of cotton is placed inside each petal to make the rose look

larger. When all the petals are finished, begin the rose by adding the

three smallest petals first. Pin in place around the center, wrapping

them closely around it and letting them extend about one-eighth of an

inch above the point. Add the next row, pinning each petal in place

before sewing. Place each succeeding row one-eighth of an inch above the

preceding one. Watch the face of the blossom carefully and see that it

looks as natural as possible. The back of the blossom will be covered

when finished, either with a few old rose leaves and a rose cup, or

points of green ribbon sewed to resemble leaves. A rubber stem may be

bought to slip over the wire on which the rose is sewed, or the wire may

be wound with green floss, baby ribbon, green tissue paper, or gum

tissue. If the rose is to be full blown, it would be much better to

make the center of yellow stamens.