There are several techniques you can use to make cute flowers out of ribbon. Most use a combination of folding, rolling, and cutting, and some use stitches while others use glue or staples. If you're interested in making your own ribbon flower, here are a few methods you can follow to get started.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Wrinkle Ribbon Flowers
Step 1. Cut the ribbon material neatly
Work ribbons between 2.5 and 5 cm wide, and cut them into 30 cm lengths.
Step 2. Sew the threaded needle on one side of the ribbon
Start at one corner of the ribbon material and work your way along the ribbon, weaving a straight stitch along the edge.
Use thick yarn or double your yarn for more strength. This yarn will be used to support the entire weight of the tape and must withstand the stresses and tensions that will be applied in the next step
Step 3. Gently crimp the tape along the seam
Once you have finished sewing the thread on the ribbon, hold the ends firmly. Use your other hand to gently push the ribbon toward the end where your stitch started, so that the ribbon clumps or "shrinks."
The crease at this point should be slightly loose, but tight enough to give you an idea of how your flower will look when fully wrinkled
Step 4. Cut the thread
Cut the ends of the threads, leaving 12 cm of thread to work with.
If the tape doesn't shrink as tightly as possible, this is a good time to fix it. Push the ribbon as far into the thread as possible, using your index and thumb to pinch the thread just above the end of the ribbon if it looks like it will loosen and slide off the thread
Step 5. Tie the thread and glue the two ends of the ribbon
Tie a knot twice at the end of the thread, just in front of the end of the ribbon, to hold the knot in place. Use fabric glue or hot glue to glue the two ends of the tape together.
Make sure that both ends of the ribbon are facing down, towards the bottom of the flower, so you can't see it from above
Step 6. Flatten the flower
Use your fingers to lightly press the creases of the ribbon, producing a flatter "flower".
Keep in mind that this will cause a gap in the center of the flower. This gap is very reasonable
Step 7. Glue the decoration in the center, if desired
Use craft glue or hot glue to attach decorative buttons, faux stones, brooches, or other decorations to the center of the flower.
- There may be a gap in the center of the flower when you add decorations. This is natural, but means that you should choose a embellishment that is slightly larger than the gap.
- Using a backing is also a good idea if you have a large gap to prevent your decoration from falling through the gap. The idea is to layer your ribbon flower in the middle of the layer between the trim and the back layer. But often, the backing can be made by gluing the second button behind the first.
Method 2 of 4: Circular Ribbon Flowers
Step 1. Make three pieces of ribbon
Each piece should be 2 cm wide and 18 cm long.
Consider using a grosgrain ribbon for this piece. Grosgrain ribbon has a striped shape and is very strong and easy to shape
Step 2. Seal the edges with heat
To prevent pieces of ribbon from fraying, you'll need to use a little heat to melt the ends of the ribbon. Place the ribbon over low heat quickly until it looks melted, but don't put the ribbon directly into the flame.
- Use a small ignition source, such as a small candle or lighter.
- Be careful when you do this to avoid burning the tape. It's probably a good idea to have some water near you, so if your tape catches fire, you can quickly submerge it in the water.
Step 3. Make a circle with one piece of ribbon
Place a dot of hot glue on the outside of one end of a piece of tape. Wrap the rest of the tape around it to form a loop and gently press the inside of the other end against the glue point.
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Repeat this step on the other two pieces of ribbon to form three circles.
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Step 4. Twist the circle into a figure eight shape
Use your fingers to twist the ribbon across the center, making a figure eight shape. Apply a dot of hot glue at the meeting point to keep the ribbon shape.
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Repeat this step for the other two loops of ribbon until you have three figure eights.
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Step 5. Stack the two twisted circles
Place the circles on top of each other to form a narrow “X”, with the gap between the top and bottom being smaller than along the edges. Hold it with a dot of hot glue.
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There will now be enough gap to fit a third loop of tape between the sides of the "X" shape. If desired, you can attach all three circles to give an idea of what the final ribbon will look like before you glue it together.
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Step 6. Add the last circle
Place the third circle horizontally across the “X” shape created by the first two circles. The wide circular end should fill in the gap left on the side of the "X" shape. Add a drop of hot glue to glue it.
Step 7. Glue the decoration in the center, if desired
You can sew or attach a button to the center of the flower, or you can even attach a small brooch, faux stone, or small fabric flower. The choice is up to you, so you are free to be creative.
Method 3 of 4: Simple Ribbon Tulip Flowers
Step 1. Make two strips of ribbon
One piece of ribbon is 45 cm long, while the other is only 15 cm long. Both are 5 cm wide.
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Longer strips of ribbon will become the "petals" of the tulip, so choose a color like pink, red, yellow, purple, or white. Choose another, try a ribbon with a cheerful pattern.
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A shorter piece of ribbon will be the "leaves" of the tulip, so a green ribbon would be the best choice.
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Step 2. Fold the long strip of ribbon with the accordion fold to make three circles
With the tape in front of you, the first fold will point to your right, the second fold towards your left, and the third fold back toward your right. Continue folding this way until you have three visible circles.
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Each circle will measure between 6 and 7.5 cm high.
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If there is any residue on one end of the tape, you can trim it with scissors or fold it to cover and coat the other end of the tape on the other side.
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Clip the folded ribbon at the bottom as you make the bottom base.
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Step 3. Fold a short green ribbon around the folded ribbon
Place the center of the green ribbon at the base of the three-circle “petal” tape. Fold one end up and inward so that it forms a loop that closes at the same place as the base of the flower. Repeat on the other side.
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When you're done, you'll have two smaller green circles pinning all three petal circles together.
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Each green circle will be about 4 cm high.
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Step 4. Staple or sew your tulip flower at the base of the flower
Staples are the easiest way to hold the shape of your tulips. Staple all the layers of tape near the base to prevent them from falling off and losing their shape.
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If possible, use green staples that blend into the green on the ribbon.
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Alternatively, you can stick a pin into the ribbon and then quickly sew the base of the flower with green needle and thread.
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This step completes your ribbon tulip flower.
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Method 4 of 4: Additional Ribbon Flowers for You to Try
Step 1. Make a rose flower from ribbon
You can make roses using a 20 cm long ribbon. Use a series of folds to create a stack of loose squares that will become the petals. Pinch one loose end before pulling the other, so the corners overlap and form a rosette.
Step 2. Try forming a simple ribbon rosette
You can form a rosette with wired or cordless tape.
- When using wire tape, crimp the tape to form a rosette by pulling some of the wire out of place.
- When using cordless tape, you will need to fold the two pieces of tape perpendicularly on top of each other to form a spring. Grasp one end while pulling the other, forming a rosette.
Step 3. Make chrysanthemums from ribbons
To make chrysanthemums, you will need to make small folds on the small strips of ribbon to make a semicircle. Sew these semicircles together in the middle.
Step 4. Make a ribbon flower with a candy shape
Make circles with small pieces of ribbon. Glue these circles to the cork ball until the ball is completely covered, and stick colorful sticks through the bottom of the cork to form the stems.
Step 5. Make a satin flower from the ribbon
Make satin ribbon flowers by cutting the fabric lengthwise into small pieces and crimping one side of each cut to create a concave petal. Make a pistil out of string and glue each piece around the pistil.
Step 6. Try making a seamless satin ribbon flower
Fold the small strips of ribbon in half lengthwise, and trim the ends of each piece with an angled cut. Glue the petals of this ribbon in a circular pattern to form a flower.
