Description
Patent Leather
This ribbon is the perfect way to stitch patent leather motifs in a needlepoint design: shoes, belts, handbags, coats, and more. Slow and steady wins the appearance race here: lay the ribbon smoothly on the front and back of your work to maximize the look, and make sure the shiny side is up. Available in one color: PL1 Black.
- available in one color: black
- 1/16″ wide
- 2 yards on a card
- Made in Japan
- 60% Polyester, 40% Polyurethane
Tips
- Has a shiny side and a matte side; make sure the shiny side is visible as you lay your stitch
- It looks best if used in longer stitches (rather than tighter stitches like basketweave), where you can see more of the patent leather shine
- Use a needle large enough to accommodate the thread without crinkling it
- A laying tool can help keep it flat as you lay the stitch
- Works on 13-, 14- and 18-mesh needlepoint canvas
- To avoid twisting, keep smooth on back of the canvas
- From Nashville Needleworks shop: “Fabulous as Santa’s boots, shiny shoes, leather belts, and more. A 1/16″ patent leather strip that works best for both long and straight stitches. Can use on both on 13 count and 18 count canvas. To avoid twisting, keep smooth on back of canvas.”
- Watch SiliconValleyStitcher on TikTok, who uses it to replicate Santa’s boots and shares tips here.
Can Patent Leather be used in cross stitch?
Ideally, it’s better in stitches that are longer, rather than compact like the basic cross stitch. You want the stitch to be long enough to show off the shine, otherwise you won’t really be able to tell that it’s patent-leather-like. But you can use it in cross stitch if the ground fabric has holes that can open enough for the flat ribbon to move through without becoming crinkled (linens, for example, have a more open weave than Aida cloth). Also, it will look better in larger cross stitches, like over multiple threads on Aida, where you have room to lay it flat. Use a needle with an eye large enough to hold the thread without crinkling it.
Can Patent Leather be used in embroidery on fabric?
Yes, however, same recommendations from above apply: longer stitches are best for showing off the shine. Lay it flat as you stitch. And use a needle that is large enough to hold the ribbon without crinkling it and will allow it to pass as smoothly as possible through the fabric. That may require some experimenting on a scrap piece of fabric to make sure you are getting the look you want.
