A Ribbon Runs Through It
Cocarde Variations
Two wonderful ribbon creations are cocarde variations, each calling for the same basic folding technique.
The first variation, a folded spiral, makes wonderful ornaments. Hang them on a wreath, the tree, a doorknob or from a chandelier. Or make up several to place in a bowl. With two additional rows of stitching, this ribbon takes on a whole new form, much like a child's toy top.
With 2 2/3 yards of 1 1/2"-wide ribbon, make a cocarde with 31 points. With the flat side facing up, sew through the center of all folds with a double thread (15).
When you have stitched all the way around the cocarde and back through the first fold, pull up on the thread firmly, drawing the points upward like a crown. Tie off the thread.
With a new doubled thread, sew a running stitch through the points. Pull the threads taut, pulling the ribbon points into a small circle and pulling the cocarde into a sphere shape. Tie off the ends. (See photo above.)
The second variation of the cocarde fold is the double pinwheel, made with two ribbons of differing size and color.
You'll need 2/3 yard of 1"- wide ribbon, 30" of 1 1/2"- wide ribbon and a brooch or pin back.
With the wider ribbon, follow the steps in making the cocarde figures 10 through 12. Place a pin at the midpoint of the diagonal fold (16).
Fold a second point (following figures 13, 14, then going back to 11 and 12), and pivot it to align the point's left-hand fold with the pin. With a double thread, take a backstitch to hold the point in place (17).
Continue to fold and offset the points until you achieve the desired fullness (seven to nine points). Finish, stitching the last fold to the first.
Stitch around the inner circle, securing all the points together.
Repeat the entire sequence for the narrow ribbon.
With both pinwheels right side up, position the smaller pinwheel on top of the larger one, and stitch the centers together with small stitches. On the wrong side, use hot glue to secure a brooch pin; let the glue dry.
You now have a fabulous pin that can easily adorn a gift package, a place card, a lapel or even a pair of shoes.
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