Tips & Tricks Tuesdays

I'm starting a new feature on my blog called "Tips & Tricks Tuesdays." I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator almost seven years, and I've picked up a lot of tips and tricks along the way. Some are things I learned from other demonstrators, others are things I've learned through trial and error, and some are from my experience as a sewer and quilter.

Today's trick is one I learned from a trimmings shop owner in Nice, France! It's an interesting story. I had flown into Nice for a 10 day trip to France. It was a tour for quilters, so we visited quilt shows, textile museums and fabric stores. I was looking for some ribbon to add to a hat and stopped in a small trimmings shop. I selected my ribbon and took it to the counter. The owner cut my length of ribbon and took out a Bic lighter. She proceeded to light it and pass it over the end of my satin ribbon. I'm sure I looked shocked! She smiled and sweetly said, "This will melt the edges of the ribbon and keep it from fraying."

Here's a picture of some ribbon before and after:


You can see that the fibers melt and seal the edges! Be careful not to burn the ribbon. It is very similar to using a heat gun for embossing.

And here's a card where I used this technique. With 6 raw edges of ribbon, it really made a difference when I sealed the edges.


Isn't this sweet? This was really easy to make, although some of it is what I call "fussy work."

Stamps: Baby Bundle (Onesie on the hanger), Petite Pairs
Paper: Twitterpated DSP, Whisper White, Blushing Bride
Ink: Black Staz-on
Accessories: Owl punch (the vest makes the dress), Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, markers and pleated satin ribbon in Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz

Well, I hope you learned something new today! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you next Tuesday for more tips & tricks!

Blessings,
Barbara