Making a Ribbon Rose

It's actually rather easy to make a ribbon rose (which might, in part, explain their popularity).  The trick is to wait for a rainy day when you won't be tending your flowers outside... then just find some quiet time to stitch the edge of a nice piece of ribbon and gently pull the thread until it gathers a bit.  Next, form the gathered ribbon into the shape of a rose starting with tight coils on the inside of the flower that gradually relax as you work your way to the outside edge.  Finish the rose with a few stitches to hold the shape in place -- and you're done!