Sweet Briar Follies

Sweet Briar Follies

Every issue of every Victorian lady's magazine offered novelties of the month -- frivolous little ornaments serving no particular purpose except to decorate. Thus, our series of "Follies." They are whatever you wish them to be -- lapel pins for those who want to soften the look of a business suit, hair ornaments for the well endowed. Make a pair, and they become shoe roses. Caution! These are addictive. Nobody can make just one.

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Follies are a chance to play with all the frivolous fabrics you've seen in the shops that you'd love to have, but don't go to enough formal parties to wear all that glitter. Mix and match satins and sheers -- buy a variety of strips just long enough to fit your hoop. Follies are a fun way to use up bits and pieces of satins and glittery satins, sheers, ribbons, and trims from proms and parties past.

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Stitch out a dozen satin stitch solo roses, and about three dozen solo leaves. Follies are too much fun to make just one! These small motifs can be stitched out on satin and a stiff fabric like organdy or Casa sheer with no stabilizer. Sew what works best on your machine.

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Cut motifs out of the fabric, carefully trimming the dges close. Remove the fabric "whiskers"however works best for you. Some prefer a woodburning tool or soldering iron. The more traditional use a candle.

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There are several ways to make dramatic little puffs to add dimension and texture to the center.

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To make a fabric pouf, cut a 6 inch by 1 1/2 inch piece of organdy. Turn a small (1/4 inch or less) edge on all sides and press lightly.

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Fold strip in half. Do not press. Gather along the folded edge.

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Stitch into a spiral to create the puff.

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Tuck in the ends, and stitch to the center of the embroidered rose.

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To make a ribbon rosette or bow, cut a strip of sheer ribbon -- iridescent adds a nice accent -- about 6-8 inches long, and maximum 1/2 inch wide. Stitch short loops directly to the flower center,

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or simply stitch loops into a pompon in the air, then attach to the rose center.

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Long loops can be stitched into a long flat bow to accent the edge of the corsage.

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To make a ruched ribbon pompon, cut a strip of sheer ribbon -- iridescent adds a nice accent -- about 6-8 inches long, and between 1/2 and 1 inch wide.

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Gather the sheer ribbon into a pompon, and stitch to the center of the rose.

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Sweet Briar Follies

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