MAKE YOUR OWN SHABBY RIBBON

I really do have some other patterns started but i am still finishing up the dolly.  She is of the primitve sort so the lovely hand dyed rayon ribbons from Auntie Em's were not a good fit by themselves.  Yummy tho huh?  I keep them tidy in this yellow French bowl that i picked up in a little shop in not France . . boo hoo.  The hot chocolate cup became chipped and was then discarded.  Someone was silly.

 Her worn muslin dress needed something . . a bit more raveled . . tattered . . . ratty.

So I grabbed from my stash of tacky nylonish type sheers, the kind that freak out when cut . .  and ravel wildly all along the edges.   Isn't this one just so eeeek gaudy?!!

Grab a similar textile from your stash and make some shabby ribbon with me.

 Cut a strip a bit wider than your desired ribbon.

Gently tie knots about every 3 or 4 or so inches.

It is begining to ravel some now isn't it?  In a little plastic cup mix together some liquid matte medium and some brown antiquing medium.   I was too impatient to continue painting it onto the strip with a brush so I added just a bit of water. Moosh the ribbon into the mixture and gently squeeze out the excess liquid. Then dip a couple of fingers into the mixture and dab here and there on the strip. Maybe wear a pair of gloves like I didn't.   Squeeze the strip in a paper towel and hang to dry.

Mellowed to my liking now.  How is yours looking?

Might be added near the bottom of the dress.  Possibly on top of the brown hand dyed ribbon . . that will bring it down a notch.  More befitting to an aged old doll.

Then perhaps a scattering of some small worn buttons??