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Ribbon Tips and Ideas

Author:

Professional scrapbook artist, paper crafter, and author, I have taught people how to make family memories into legacies for 20 years.

Ribbons are the fun way to add color, definition and style to every craft project

Ribbons are the fun way to add color, definition and style to every craft project

If you make any kinds of crafts, then you love ribbon ! The colors and textures add so much to every craft project. No matter if you sew, scrapbook, make cards or paper crafts, ribbon adds that finishing touch to every project that you create.

There are hundreds of ways to use ribbons on craft projects. So many colors and patterns to chose from. People actually collect ribbon as a side hobby.

There is an endless palette of colors to chose from. You can find printed, stripped and dotted ribbon.

No matter what your craft type, adding ribbon makes it so much better.

Types Of Craft Ribbon

TypePropertiesUses

Burlap

is a coarse cloth made of jute, flax, or hemp fibers. Gives any project some rustic charm.

Use it for home décor, gift wrapping, and fun craft projects

Chiffon

Similar to organza, but in very small widths

Can be used in corsages and other floral decor. Bows can be made with it. Because of the thin width, some have knitted and crocheted with it

Curling Ribbon

Comes in crimped or smooth texture. Comes in solids in almost any color you can think of.

Good for scrapbook, wreaths, wands and of course wrapping gifts and packages

Grosgrain

Durable ribbon with some elasticity. Comes in solid colors and patterns. Also comes with loops along both edges called picots

Collages, scrapbooks, wreaths and bows

Jacquard

Both sides of this ribbon show the same pattern in opposite colors

Used for decorative accents

Lace

Not as durable as other ribbons, but does give a bit of elegance to any project.

Traditional for weddings. It also makes for an ideal trim on handmade clothes and heirloom dresses, and an endearing accent in scrapbooks. Can also be combined with burlap for a rustic elegance.

Mesh

Similar to netting, Comes in different sizes, widths and colors

Most often used in wreaths, centerpieces and seasonal decor

Organza

Mostly made of polyester

This organza could be use as simple decor for table, ribbon, even as hair accessories.

Paper

Made of thin creased paper that has delightful texture.

Easily shaped into bows, paper ribbon is wonderful for gift wrap, scrapbooking, and casual trim.

Raffia

Raffia is created by opening the leaves of palm fronds and revealing the natural fibers within

Most often used in fall decor. It is often made into a wreath shape; Can also be added to other ribbon to create a textured bow

Satin

Has a satin sheen that is available in a rainbow of colors They are mostly made of silk, nylon or cotton. They also come in picot which are small loops along the edges.

Good for almost any project

Taffetta

This is a lightweight ribbon made of silk, rayon or polyester. Most are wired, but even without the wire, they retain a crispness

Can be used as table accents. shoe ties and home decor

Tulle

A light airy material

Most often used for formal occasions like weddings.

Velvet

Has a plush elegance in endless color combinations. It iseasy to press, store, and reuse for winters to come.

Often used on projects for holidays like Christmas or winter decor. Used also for home and business decor

Wired Ribbon

The wire within this ribbon makes it very flexible. It also retains the shape it is put into. Comes in patterns and solids. Wires can easily be removed.

Great ribbon to use in floral pieces, bouquets and wreaths

Woven Edge

Woven to the exact edge of the loom with a finished edge

All kinds of crafting

Recycled Clothes Pins

Cover a clothes pin with ribbon and buttons. Use them on a desk or add a magnet to use on a refrigerator

Cover a clothes pin with ribbon and buttons. Use them on a desk or add a magnet to use on a refrigerator

Awareness Ribbons

Different colors of ribbons are used to create awareness for different types of illnesses and conditions

Different colors of ribbons are used to create awareness for different types of illnesses and conditions

Easy And Simple Things You Can Do With Ribbon

Here are some projects you can make with ribbon that are easy to make,

  1. Make a ribbon streamer party chair. Ribbons are tied on the back of a chair. Great for weddings, showers and birthday parties. Click here for the project.
  2. Make bike tassel ribbon streamers. Make this project in under an hour. Click here for this project.
  3. Wrap a candle with ribbon. Take different widths of ribbon and wrap them around the candle. Either use straight pins or a glue gun to secure the ribbon to the candle. Theme your ribbon to a season or occasion.
  4. Hang a Christmas ornament with ribbon. It will look even better.
  5. Sew ribbon around a pillow.
  6. Hang a wreath with ribbon
  7. Use ribbon as curtain tie backs
  8. Bind a mini scrapbook with ribbon
  9. Give life to an old lampshade with ribbon. Click here for the project
  10. Use ribbon in place of shoe laces to give new life to a pair of sneaker
  11. Glue a ribbon bow to the top of a headband.
  12. Weave a ribbon through a basket for a seasonal touch
  13. Sew ribbon onto the edge of a kitchen towel
  14. Make a ribbon garland
  15. Add ribbon to a child's toy
  16. Make a hair clip with ribbon . Click here to get the project

Ribbon Roses And Floral Arrangements

Ribbon wreaths can be made with seasonal, color and occasion themes

Ribbon wreaths can be made with seasonal, color and occasion themes

Ribbon Wreath

Ribbon wreaths are so festive. There are several methods to do a ribbon wreath.

  • Birthday- Make it in his or her favorite color
  • Baby Shower- Shades of blue or pink
  • Wedding/Wedding Shower-Make it in the wedding colors
  • Seasonal-Make spring, summer, fall or winter theme

Tied Ribbon Wreath

Supplies

  • Tubular styroform or straw wreath form
  • You will need a 1½ to 2-inch (3.81 to 5.08-centimeter) wide, solid-colored ribbon
  • 7/8, 5/8, and 3/8-inch (22, 16, and 10-millimeter) wide ribbons
  • Scissors
  • Glue gun and glue sticks

Wrap the solid color ribbon tightly around the wreath base. Make sure that you overlap it a bit. Cut off any excess when you reach where you started, Secure the end with hot glue.

Cut lengths of the other ribbon long enough to tie around the wreath form with some extra for a tail. You could leave the tail as is. You could also make a diagonal cut or a v shaped cut.

Thread it onto the wreath. Make a double knot and continue until you have covered the wreath form.


More Ribbon Wreath Ideas

Decorating Christmas Trees With Mesh Ribbon

Mesh ribbon is one of the ways that you can decorate a Christmas tree

Mesh ribbon is one of the ways that you can decorate a Christmas tree

How To Use Ribbon On A Greeting Card

Greeting cards are one of the most fun place to add ribbons. They enhance the message and create focus. They accent your message beautifully !

Of course, adding a bow to your greeting card may be the first thing that comes to your mind. Bows are easy to make. The best way to attach a bow to a card is to either use a glue dot or some fast drying tacky glue.

  • You can also make your bow even more special by taking some ribbon and adding a charm to the bow.
  • Edge a card with ribbon. You can edge any part of your card with ribbon. Always adds a lot of elegance to your card
  • Add a piece of ribbon flat across a card. Does not add any bulk
  • Make a faux bow and add it to your cards
  • Weave ribbon for a patterned ribbon effects

More Ribbon Greeting Card Inspiration

Tie pieces of ribbon onto a pair of flip flops. This project is great for all those pieces of scrap ribbon.

Tie pieces of ribbon onto a pair of flip flops. This project is great for all those pieces of scrap ribbon.

Ribbon Projects

Using Ribbon In A Junk Journal

Ribbons add a vintage and are a useful tool in junk journals

Ribbons add a vintage and are a useful tool in junk journals

Using Ribbon In Junk Journals

Ribbons give junk journals that vintage feel. No matter how they are used, they are one of the best way to add a pop of color to all of your junk journals

Here are just a few ways to use them:

  1. Use then as a closure for a junk journal. Glue or double side tape them into the the inside cover page before covering the page cover insert.
  2. Use the as a vertical or horizontal belly band to hold ephemera
  3. Use them as a page border
  4. Use them to embellish a tag or pocket
  5. Use a bow on a journal page
  6. Use them to wrap around a non bound journal
  7. Use them on a pocket
  8. Add charms to a junk journal


How To Tie A Perfect Bow

You can tie a perfect bow every time with this quick tutorial

You can tie a perfect bow every time with this quick tutorial

Ribbon Sewing Tips

There are a few tips when using ribbon for sewing that will help you avoid problems with your sewing projects

  1. Wsh and dry your base fabric before adding ribbon. Most ribbons will not shrink, but your fabric might, so washing and drying your fabric will help avoid problems later on.
  2. Be careful if you are ironing ribbon. Use a lower synthetic setting if you are iron your ribbon before sewing. Once the ribbons are stitched to the base fabric, make sure you continue to press them with a cool iron. Or, if the iron is on a cotton setting, press the ribbons from the wrong side of the fabric or use a pressing cloth to protect them.
  3. To eliminate the need for pins and to keep the ribbons from shifting as they are sewn in place, I like to use a little basting glue or strips of the lightweight fusible web such as Steam-a-Seam. Follow the directions on the product that you are using.
  4. Use a fine needle to sew your ribbon (75 to 80). Make sure that it is very sharp and creates a hole only large enough for the thread.
  5. Always sew the same way on both sides of the ribbon. You will avoid puckering that way.
  6. You can sew your ribbon by hand using a fine needle and close stitches.
  7. Polyester thread works best for most ribbon sewing projects.
You can use ribbon scraps to make this delightful ribbon tassels. You can also use this same idea for a pull chain for a bedroom fan.

You can use ribbon scraps to make this delightful ribbon tassels. You can also use this same idea for a pull chain for a bedroom fan.

Sewing Ribbon Tips

Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornaments

Easy to make Christmas tree ornaments

Easy to make Christmas tree ornaments

More Ribbon Christmas Ornaments

Easy Ways To Make A Bow

More Ribbon Inspiration

Ribbon Tassel Keychain

You can use those bits of ribbon that you may have to create this keychain. I would also consider using it in a planner, or in a journal.

You can use those bits of ribbon that you may have to create this keychain. I would also consider using it in a planner, or in a journal.

These bookmarks are easy to make with ribbon clamps , some ribbon and some embellishments

These bookmarks are easy to make with ribbon clamps , some ribbon and some embellishments

Double Sided Tape-Perfect For Adding Ribbon On Paper

Even if your ribbon has adhesive on it, I often find that the adhesive the manufacturer uses is simply not strong enough to stay on the paper permanently. I always like to add some double sided tape on all my projects, just to make sure that the ribbon is permanent. The tape comes in many brands and widths depending on how thick or thin your ribbon is. I like to keep both a thick and thin roll of double sided tape in my craft room for when that inspiration hits.

Create A Beaded Wall Hanging For The Holidays

What an amazing idea to use ribbon and beads on this wall hanging

What an amazing idea to use ribbon and beads on this wall hanging

More Christmas Ribbon Decor Ideas

Things To Make With Ribbon Scraps

Never throw away your ribbon scraps. There are so many things that you can do with your leftover ribbon bits. We have links in the titles of each project. Here are just a few suggestions:

Make Some Paper Ribbon

Ribbon Package Layout

I designed this to look like a Christmas package but you could adapt this design to a birthday package too

I designed this to look like a Christmas package but you could adapt this design to a birthday package too

Use Ribbon On A Scrapbook Page

Scrapbook pages are the perfect place to add a touch of ribbon. And yes, you can even use ribbon on a masculine scrapbook page.

The best place to start using ribbon is to associate it with a theme by color.

  • Wedding-Use the colors that the bride or you used
  • Baby Or Baby Shower-Blue or Pink
  • Graduation- School Colors
  • Favorite Teams- Could be any team-your kids, high school, college or pro.
  • Location-Blue and sand colors, green for mountains,ect.
  • Seasonal-Red for Christmas and Valentines, Brown for Fall and Thanksgiving, Pastels for Spring

What can you do with ribbon on a scrapbook page?

  1. Make a ribbon border
  2. Make a bow
  3. Create a ribbon flower
  4. Use it to separate different sections of a page
  5. Hang a page title with ribbon
  6. Use as a frame for a photo

How To Attach A Ribbon Onto A Scrapbook Page

Use a sewing machine and sew the ribbon onto the paper.

Use a Zyron machine. It basically makes a sticker out of your piece of ribbon

Use double sided adhesive across the ribbon

Stretch the ribbon across the page and attach it with double sided tape on the back of the page.

Use a brad or eyelet


Satin Ribbon Fan

Made with plastic forks and satin ribbon, this project is sure to please

Made with plastic forks and satin ribbon, this project is sure to please

Adorable Ribbon Bugs

These and other ribbons crafts

These and other ribbons crafts

Free Ribbon Resources

Make A Ribbon Flower

More Ribbon Flower Ideas

Amazing Snowflake Hair Ornament

Every Little girl would want this hair ornament for Christmas

Every Little girl would want this hair ornament for Christmas

Ribbon Barrettes And Hair Decor

Ribbon Baby Slippers

Perfect for a baby shower or a baby's room

Perfect for a baby shower or a baby's room

Storing Your Ribbon

You will want to store your ribbons so that you can see what you have and protect them from dust and dirt. There are lots of ways to store your ribbons. The right storage solution for you depends on your space and how much ribbon you have. Some people like to store them in jars, especially those pretty mason jars. You can see the amount of ribbon that you have left.

Other people like to store them In those pretty shoe boxes that are available in most craft stores. You can make a storage box that will hold your ribbon and allow you to just pull out what you need.

For me, using my ScrapRack answers all my needs for storing my ribbon. The Scraprack is an organizing system that allows you to organize your craft supplies is the way that fits you best. Part of this system using a section that organizes colors all in the same area. So in my blue section are all my blue ribbons. Everything by color is in one location, making it easier to find exactly what I need.

My spools of wreath ribbon are in one box. That way, if I am creating wreaths, I know exactly where to go for my ribbon.

It's up to you where and how you store your ribbons. But try to stay organized so that you know exactly where your stash is.

Ribbon Storage Tips

Do you have your ribbon piled in a draw or a bag somewhere in your craft space? Are you able to find a piece of ribbon that you need right away without going on a twenty-minute hunt to find it? I have been there too until I took the time to declutter my ribbon stash. Now, I find exactly what I need in minutes. I have more time for crafting because I am far more organized. If you need to create a system to store your ribbon, here are some tips to get the job done.

  1. Grab all the ribbon you own and place it all on a bed or workspace. Look in every nook and cranny for all the ribbon in your stash. You may be surprised at the amount of ribbon you actually have.
  2. Separate your ribbon by color first. Decide if you want to store your ribbon by color, type, or size of the spool. Look at any available space that you might have when making decisions on how to store your ribbon. Do you have wall or closet space that you can utilize? Do you have space on a bookcase or shelf? Look for space where your ribbon will be kept and commit to it. No space at all? Consider a moveable storage system like a storage box.
  3. Consider the tools that you may already have available to store your ribbon. Things like boxes, zip lock bags, baskets, ect.
  4. Consider what you could purchase that would not break your craft budget to store your ribbon. Check out your local thrift store and dollar store.
  5. Commit to your system and get it.

Woven Ribbon Heart

Could be used on a greeting card or in a scrapbook

Could be used on a greeting card or in a scrapbook

A simple ribbon photo box storage idea

A simple ribbon photo box storage idea

More Ribbon Storage Ideas

Another Ribbon Storage Idea

Save space with this hanging ribbon storage idea

Save space with this hanging ribbon storage idea

Ribbon Storage Ideas

Final Thought On Ribbon Tips

We could not possibly cover all the many ways ribbons can be used in your craft projects. We have shared a few ideas and tips to inspire you to think more about using ribbon when you craft. Take time to widen your horizons and include ribbon when you craft.

© 2015 Linda F Correa

How Do You Use Ribbon In Your Crafting?

Linda F Correa (author) from Spring Hill Florida on June 15, 2015:

I am so into making my pages with all kinds of embellishments and glitter. I am creating legacies for my family. Each page that I create is my art......

FlourishAnyway from USA on June 14, 2015:

Lovely hub. I enjoy making my scrapbooks multimedia, and you provide some excellent ideas here -- some of which I have yet to use. Thanks for the ideas! Voted up and more.

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