notchamama2000

Would someone start a thread on Ribbonwork? That is something if we see it would help because I would like to learn how to do ribbonwork.

Mr Bo Jangles

.....you just started a thread on ribbonwork by asking about it.

Granted, the Osage didn't invent, perfect or do anything in the way of bettering ribbonwork....the sure do use alot of it.

There's a few books on the subject out there, some with very specific references to various tribal styles, or methods of manufacture.

Check out the G. A. Robinson video on Osage Ribbonwork, there's a little bit on HOW TO there, with an emphasis on the Osage methods and uses.

Check thru the archives here, early on, like in the year 2000 there we're some threads started that pertained to this very subject.

Also, check out the gallery of images here, plenty to see in the ribbonwork category.

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"This next song goes out to some girls in dot com. They don't know who they are, but, it doesn't really matter anyway."




"When the God's wish to punish us, they grant our prayers."

O. Wilde

Mr Bo Jangles

If you're an Osage in Oklahoma, and you're living in one of the Districts up at Osage. I do believe there are classes taught on how to do ribbonwork.

I know they have classes on fingerweaving and Osage Language. Stands to reason that there would be some classes on ribbonwork.

The whole idea of ribbonwork and how it's done is simple. It's just layering ribbons, or strips of cloth, cotton, taffeta, rayon, what have you. On top of one another, with folds at certain points to create designs.

It can be as simple as laying two "ribbons" next to one another, in a technique called, or referred to as "piping", where a very small bit of a color, is allowed to show thru along the border of a contrasting color. Sometimes done, and more often than not, to emphasize a particular pattern.

Another thing to remember is that GOOD ribbonwork is made with the whole idea in mind that you're working, not so much with color. While, yes, color IS important, the key factor to remember is that you're going for CONTRAST. Think of colors in terms of DARK COLORS and LIGHT COLORS, and mix and match accordingly.

Colors you might think gaudy or too bold for one another, often contrast nicely together, and actually work good together in a ribbonwork pattern.

There's several different methods of construction. Basically, all, or nearly all methods, involve cutting and folding portions of the ribbon under itself, thus, allowing the contrasting ribbon next to it, or under it or over it, to show thru.

You have the options of using a sewing machine, or sewing up the piece by hand.....while time consuming, it was THE method for several years before the advent and arrival of sewing machines in Indian Country.

In terms of materials. Older pieces we're done almost exclusively using silk ribbon. Silk ribbon was readily available as a trade item in the early years, typically in great abundance, as ribbons we're a fashionable thing in Europe, that waned, and it left merchants with an abundance of ribbons. Traders, noting perhaps that indians liked beads and cloth, might also take a shining to ribbon. They did. The thing with older ribbonwork is that the silk, which was all imported from the Orient, was that it was very suceptible to rotting and deterioration. That stems from the fact that silk ribbon was sold by the POUND. Knowing how light silk is today, it's not a stretch to think that merchants could possibly have paid next to nothing for ribbon back then, BUT!!!! ....the ingenious silk manufacturers, in China I believe, developed a technique whereby they added IRON into the silk, adding weight to the ribbon.

That adding of iron to the silk, is what basically hastens the whole deterioration process, that's why today, even in museums, there is very little ribbonwork available to look at or study. Typically, the silk ribbon is rotted thru. Silk is a very durable material, resists dust and dirt naturally, and is quite resilient. Heck, you've got garments and tapestries that are thousands of years old from China.....that alone is testament to the durability of silk. So, that tells you right away that the silk ribbon of the 1800's was changed, to increase weight and to bolster sales by the Chinese.

Anyhoo...

Then came the rayon ribbons. Rayon is a wood product, or at least, it used to be. Today, they're typically a synthetic simply called Rayon. Most ribbonwork from the early part of the last century was made with rayon ribbon, you still could find silk, but, for the most part, it was replaced with rayon.

Keep in mind, these two materials, silk and rayon, are very THIN, and crease and hold that crease nicely. Creaseability is a KEY to good ribbonwork. The weave on old silk ribbon and rayon is very fine, so, it made for nice ribbonwork products.
You can still buy rayon ribbon, in places like Supernaws in Skiatook, OK...typically it's expensive, and I don't know that it's available in great quantity there. Crazy Crow Trading Post out of Texas now carries a rayon ribbon, supposedly "just like the old rayon ribbon". I can't attest to the validity of that statement by CCTP, but, if it's anything like the old ribbon, it should work out nicely.

A somewhat inexpensive material to also make use of is, rayon or polyester, or acetate taffeta yard goods. Typically, there will be a "watermark" on the cloth. It's basically just a finish that is applied to the cloth, it's purely decorative, and just looks nice in ribbonwork. Some of the old silk and rayon ribbonwork had watermarks on them, not all of them did.

You will have to cut the yard goods into strips though once you begin work.

Some tribes used cotton fabrics in place of ribbons, others used other materials.

I'll come back to add more if I can think of anything else.

__________________
"This next song goes out to some girls in dot com. They don't know who they are, but, it doesn't really matter anyway."




"When the God's wish to punish us, they grant our prayers."

O. Wilde

Czechy

I'd love to start an instructional thread with pics but I don't have a digital camera....

In the meantime, pick up the book "Scarlet Ribbons" by Helen Kelley. Or check out the local library for books on applique quilting. While those books focus on quilts, the basic techniques and preparation of the appliqued materials is the same for ribbonwork. There are other methods but this is a good way to start.

powwowbum49

If you look in the archive...the webmaster did a tutorial (with pictures) on how he does ribbonwork

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PB49

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso


My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.

Blackbear

I could show you the applique way.. but it would be better if you learned the real way....

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Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

tipis

Crazy Crow now has a wonderfull rayon ribbon and it is of a good thickness. This is not the plastic or thin stuff they use to have. It is a little expensive, but , if you cannot find good taffeta material or ribbon....give it a try. This ribbon will last a long time for Straight Dancers.

tipis

Blackbear

I use yard goods myself.. but I don't do cut and fold--------------yet. but when joannes has sale on baroque or casa satin I would go in and buy it up like crazy. I have a separate box just for my satin. I've even used coat lining and costume satin before but costume satin is really bad about fraying.

__________________
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

tribaltagz

From time to time they DO offer ribbonwork classes around fairfax and Pawhuska. Just ask around at the pawn shop or the museum, they'll know what's going on. I learned ribbonwork from an osage girl. Tedious process, but not rocket science. I've found the best tip in doing ribbonwork is using those TINY sewing scissors. How I do it is baste the ribbons onto muslin, cut and fold, then blind tack by hand before machine stitching. Longer way but was how I was taught. For geomitric designs, the trick is to snip the ribbons AS YOU GO....that way you can be sure your peaks and valleys line up, otherwise you'll be fighting it trying to get your ribbons to line up. Hope this helps

Paul G

Here you go:

Straight Dance Ribbonwork

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