ribbon rose hairbow

for a gift exchange I made this hair bow. I had been going through some magazines and found a tutorial on how to make ribbon roses. it had several different roses in it, however the magazine was not in English so this was the only rose I could figure out by the pictures. I really ought to try looking up the tutorials online. I’m sure it would make more sense if I could read it. anyway this was all hand sewn. my first practice rose was a disaster but once I figured out how to do them they are actually quite easy. my second one was much nicer. one thing I did discover is you need to have a tight enough weave in the fabric or the knot on the starter thread will pop through and when one is half way through a rose that can be quite frustrating.
I completely free handed the beading. which I thought turned out pretty well. the lace was in my stash. and as for the shape of the bow I free handed that as well.
what I want before I go making too many more of these roses, is to get an awl. I think it would help in getting the ribbon through that first and last time, without cutting the fabric. because the knots on the ribbon go on the wrong side of the fabric and the ribbon has to be pulled through the fabric, which is not easy always easy. I had to make holes first and the problem with that is of course if you cut one to many threads on the fabric your hole will be too big and the knot will pull through. so an awl seems as if it would punch the correct size hole without cutting the fabric. I have needed an awl for other sewing projects as well. its amazing to me all the tools one needs for sewing.
I also have a few more things I made for Christmas gifts however those can not be posted till after the holiday, I can’t risk the giftee seeing them after all.