Bow ribbon edging hand embroidery pattern

Easy · 2 colors · 2 kinds of stitch

Bow ribbon edging: preview of the stitched design

A ribbon of stem stitch is tied in three bows, each a satin stitch knot between two full loops; the ribbon hangs in a deep swag from bow to bow and ends in a curling tail beyond the last bow at each end. Trace it again end to end for a longer hem, towel or tablecloth.

Size and details

Easy. Stem stitch, with a little satin stitch.

2 colors of floss and 2 kinds of stitch:

The stitched size and the widest satin stitch, by hoop
Hoop	Inches	Centimeters	Satin stitch up to
3 in (8 cm)	1.9 × 0.4 in	4.8 × 1 cm	1/16 in (1.6 mm)
4 in (10 cm)	2.9 × 0.6 in	7.4 × 1.5 cm	1/8 in (3 mm)
5 in (13 cm)	3.9 × 0.8 in	9.9 × 2 cm	1/8 in (3 mm)
6 in (15 cm)	4.8 × 1 in	12.2 × 2.5 cm	3/16 in (5 mm)
8 in (20 cm)	6.8 × 1.4 in	17.3 × 3.6 cm	1/4 in (6 mm)

The pattern is drawn inside a circle about half an inch (1.3 cm) smaller all around than the hoop.

What you need

DMC 3350 Ultra Dark Dusty RoseRibbon and bows
DMC 304 Medium RedBow knots

The floss is six-strand cotton; the stitch guide says how many strands to use. You also need a hoop, an embroidery needle (a size 7 to 9 suits two or three strands) and plain cotton or linen fabric. To frame the piece in its hoop, cut a square 3 inches (8 cm) wider than the hoop: a 9 inch (23 cm) square for a 6 inch hoop.

Stitch guide

Stem stitch 2 or 3 strandsRibbon, bows
Satin stitch 2 strandsBow knots

Getting it onto your fabric

The PDF holds the pattern twice at actual size: once as drawn, and once mirrored for an iron-on transfer pen. Print it at 100% with scaling off and check the one-inch square (25.4 mm) with a ruler before you trace. How to transfer a pattern explains tracing, carbon paper and the other ways. The files are under Downloads.