In my box of ties I found a plain black tie. I wanted to make something for the jewellery challenge so I let my thoughts wonder in the direction of necklasses. I folded and curled and nothing really looked new or interesting. Then I thought about ‚Froschgoscherl‘.
Froschgoscherl is a Bavarian/Austrian idiom that directly translates to frogmouth.
Froschgoscherl is the name of a special kind of handmade frill that is often used to decorate the décolleté of Dirndldresses.

It intrigued me to see if the pattern would work with a tie. Normally one uses satin ribbons of about 1/2 inch width. The width doesn‘t change in a ribbon, but of course it does in a tie. The tie I chose was fairly narrow about 3 inch at the widest part and about 1 inch at the smallest.
I am quite pleased with the outcome and will guide you through the making.

Supplies

- a narrow tie

- sewing needle and thread in a fitting color

- sewing machine

- pretty buttons, pearls, bling to decorate the necklace

- a sew on push button/snap

- two metal strips (I have noo clue what they are called check the photo please)

—> alternativly you could use cartonstrips or an old cut up plastic card.

Step 1: Making Froschgoscherl - Prep

Before you try it on a tie, try it on a cotton ribbon, or a satin ribbon first.
Step 1: Place the ribbon in the middle under your sewing foot. Choose a medium stich length. Sew some stiches.
Step 2: Lift the sewing foot, but leave the needle in the fabric. Put the first metal strip on the ribbon in front of the needle.
Step 3: Take the second metal strip put it under the ribbon, lift it and pull it over the first metal strip.
Step 4: Put the sewing foot down, gently pull both strips out and sew two or three stiches, slightly into the fold.
Step 5: Repeat but reversed!
Step 6: Lift the sewing foot, slide the metal strip under the ribbon, take the second metal strip and pull the ribbon under the first strip.
Step 7: Gently remove the metal strips and sew into the second fold.
Repeat from step one.

It sounds really complicated and it is for the first ten or so stiches, but once you get the hang of it it becomes easy.

If you are the visual type and can‘t follow my instructions you can also find videos online. Search for: Froschgoscherln.

Step 2: Making Froschgoscherl

You need three times the length of material!

To make 1 yard of Froschgoscherl frill you need 3 yards of ribbon. That is because you are working with three layers of material at all times. The size of the folds is half the width of your ribbon. You are aiming at creating squares. Look at the first photo to understand what I mean. Follow the steps I explained in the last step then you will end up with a looped ribbon that has a seam in the middle.
NOW the Froschgoscherl production starts! No more machine sewing from here on. 😀

Start by pushing the needle through the middle of your first square (check the first photo I highlighted the square).

Move from here to the edge and push the needle though. Pull the thread through and then go to the opposite edge and push through. Pull both edges together. Secure the stich by repeating it. Finish the stich by pushing out through the middle of the square. move to the next square and repeat. Do not pull strongly. The thread will just lie next to the seam on the back side of the ribbon. (Again check the photos)

Repeat.

Step 3: Tie to Choker

As I explained in the previous steps one piece of pattern always needs a square. This is the reason, that the Froschgoscherl diminish in size from front tip,to back tip.

I made as many as possible and finally had a corner on both sides without a frill. I folded them under the frill and sewed them to the top.

The final product is a animal snakey thing with a wider and a smaller side.

Step 4: Add the Push Button

I wanted the wide end to be ‚eating‘ the small end. That is why I positioned the push button where I did.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Finally I decorated my choker with beautiful buttons and shiny pearls. I wanted to sew minipearls on the tips of the mouthies, but it looked nicer without.
If you have any questions because I didn‘t explain my steps well enough, please contact me.