Customer Reviews

Secrets of Fashioning Ribbon Flowers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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Helen has taken the artistry of making flowers from silk ribbon to a new level with her lovely flowers that can be displayed in a more traditional manner on garments and hats or in a more contemporary style as bouquets of wonderful stemmed flowers. Her love for antique elegance is evident in the beautiful photographs included in her book. The illustrations and instructions for making each flower or leaf are some of the best I have seen. If you love making beautiful things you will love this art and will definitely want this book in your library.

Reviewed by Nancy Wyatt, editor of Better Homes and Gardens "Cross Stitch & Needlework" magazine.

If you like to make ribbon flowers or just like to look at beautiful things, you'll enjoy Helen's book, The Secrets of Fashioning Ribbon Flowers: Heirlooms For the Next Generation. The flowers look so real you expect to catch a floral scent from the bouquet featured on the cover! Helen has created the instructions and step-by-step illustrations for more than 22 flowers and leaves, not to mention at least seven different ribbon roses. The examples of Helen's flower making are outstanding and the photography of her designs is simply beautiful. There are 20 projects in which Helen has used her ribbon flowers for elegant accessories that reader will enjoy for decorating, wearing, or giving as gifts. Throughout the book you will find helpful tips called "Fashioning Secrets" that will make your flower crafting experience more plesurable. Helen, who lives in the United States now, still uses some of her native Australian dialect (which she clarifies for readers in a glossary in the back of the book).

Wow, what can I say? I love this book. There's a great introduction to crafting ribbon flowers which includes a history as well. The instructions are so easy to follow it's a wonder that this hobby/craft is on the brink of vanishing for good! Not only that, but it's such a beautiful craft, too. I've used the book's techniques to embellish pillows, curtains, dresses, purses... you name it! Here's the great thing: I'm usually not even good at crafts! All it takes is to buy a cute little unadorned girls' dress from, say, Target, make a few ribbon flowers to attach to the dress and you have an instant artful creation. The things I have made (or embellished) have been such a hit with my family and friends. Also, Helen Gibb is an amazing person. I've seen her a few times on HGTV (which inspired me to get this book). I went to her website and sent an e-mail saying I enjoyed her segments on HGTV and she wrote me back a letter of thanks! It wasn't a canned response, either. Great lady, great book, great craft, so go get it!

Being an antique dealer, I love to see those who help to protect and revive lost arts from our past. This book helps to keep the art of ribbon flowers and work alive. It's presentation is beautiful and the directions simple and direct. It would make a wonderful gift for those who are creative and have an interest in some of the lost arts.

Practicality and beauty all in one volume! What more could anyone want? 'The Secrets of Fashioning RIBBON FLOWERS' by Helen Gibb, is in itself an 'heirloom for the next generation'. Sumptuous bouquets of floral delights illustrate the pages of this book with clear, easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for anyone wishing to recreate them. This volume is a must for any lover of fine arts, flowers and needlework or for those of us who merely wish to sit in a sunny bay window with a copy of this delightful book and SWOON!

Susan M. Barr

I have to say I was very interested in this book, but it was not exactly what I wanted. I have yet to find a ribbonwork book that is set up as clearly as possible and is really designed for a beginner. The Artful Ribbon, by Candace Kling is a treasure for those seeking old fashioned ribbonwork and is still the best reference I have found. Overall, if you are looking for how to make very realistic Roses (esp. Tea Roses) you will be absolutely thrilled with Helen Gibbs's book. Also, if you are looking for a book to teach you how to make flowers that look as realistic as possible, this is for you. Bear in mind that you are only taught how to make the flowers in the book (Pansies, violets, sweet peas, poppies, canterbury bells, bluebells, hollyhocks, fuchias, chrysanthemums, delphiniums, carnations, peonies, and gardenias). Actually, the gardenias alone may be worth the price of the book! Spectacular! You will also be taught to make only specific sizes and flowers are mostly done on stems, which makes them hard to use as embellishments on clothing. The projects in the book are not as appealing to me as playing on my own. I am still seeking the definitive book on using silk bias ribbon and, while Helen uses it when she's on the Carol Duvall show, she doesn't have many examples in this book. This is a crying shame, since I have a bunch I bought from The Store on the Corner in San Diego. I've also seen Helen's last two books and they seem to contain basically the same material. Another book to check would be A Passion for Ribbonry by Camela Nitschke.

This book, is truly for those who love to make ribbon flowers.It is also for those who want to learn to make silk ribbon flowers. The instructions are well illustrated, and easy to follow. A wide range of flowers are included such as the pansy, violet, hollyhocks and a range of roses. The projects are inspirational and not too difficult. I love this book and have used it many times to make gifts for friends and me.
I would have no hesitation to recommend this to anyone who wants to create their own little piece of beauty.

This book, is truly for those who love to make ribbon flowers.It is also for those who want to learn to make silk ribbon flowers. The instructions are well illustrated, and easy to follow. A wide range of flowers are included such as the pansy, violet, hollyhocks and a range of roses. The projects are inspirational and not too difficult. I love this book and have used it many times to make gifts for friends and me.
I would have no hesitation to recommend this to anyone who wants to create their own little piece of beauty.

I've had this book for about 4 weeks and have tried making a couple types of roses and, just last night, tried making a pansy. The directions are easy to follow and, after some practice, the reader is able to make some nice looking flowers. The particular projects in the book don't appeal to me, but I could see that they would be of interest to those who like the frills and complexity of Victorian-inspired objects. The author does provide a variety of ideas for using ribbon flowers that the reader can adjust to her or his taste.

The instructions in this book on making beautiful flowers out of ribbon, are clear and easy to follow. I have other similar books, but this one is by far the best! Truly worth the money!