A ribbon flower (otherwise known as a wreath ribbon) is a beautiful and intricate ribbon, known for the many loops in the ribbon. These ribbons can be used to decorate things like garlands, vases, flower circles, table decorations, hanging strands and gift decorations. You can buy ribbon flowers at your local florist, but you can get cheaper (and fun!) making your own. This article will show you the easiest method for making large ribbon flowers and small ribbon flowers. This article also provides a method for making cute flower "shaped" ribbons (which you can use to decorate girls' headbands and beret) if that's what you're looking for. Get started by looking at Step 1 below.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Big Ribbon Flowers
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
To make a large ribbon flower you will need a piece of wire ribbon, about 10 cm wide and 2.7 m long.
- Wire tape is much easier to work with than using limp tape because the wire tape holds its shape better, resulting in a more fluffy ribbon.
- You'll also need florist's wire (or use feather wire) 23 or 25 cm long, money bent into a U-like shape, and a pair of scissors.
Step 2. Make your center loop
Take one end of the ribbon and make a loop, making sure the "face" side of your ribbon is facing out.
- Hold the bottom of your coil firmly between your thumb and fingers. Keep in mind that the size of the loop you make will determine the final size of your ribbon.
- At the bottom of your first loop, twist your ribbon tightly to make sure that the front side of your ribbon is facing outward. This is the secret to a beautiful ribbon finish.
Step 3. Make the next two loops
Form a second loop on one side of your first center loop.
- Hold it between your thumb and fingers holding the first loop and twist your loop of tape to make sure the face side is still facing out.
- Make a third loop on the other side of your middle loop, gripping it again with your fingers and twisting the loop of your ribbon.
Step 4. Continue making the coils
Continue making coils using the same technique, holding with your fingers and twisting them until you have four to five loops on either side of the center loop.
- Depending on how you want your ribbon to look in the end, you can make the loop the same size or you can make it bigger.
- When you're done making the loops, take the tail of the ribbon and hold it with your fingers (don't twist this part - keep it straight). This will create a large loop hanging from under your ribbon.
Step 5. Tie with florist's wire
Take a U-shaped wire and thread one of its legs through the center loop, so that your wire legs hang over both sides of your ribbon.
- Twist your two wire legs to secure the bottom of your tape and keep all the loops in shape.
- As an alternative, some people recommend twisting the entire tape (rather than twisting the wire) as this is claimed to produce a tighter band so it won't come loose.
Step 6. Develop your ribbon
Take a few moments to pull the coils (some to the right, some to the left) to create a round flower shape.
- This may take a bit of a tug, but the wire tape will give you the shape you want in the end!
- Also make sure to puff out each loop, so your ribbon looks full and round and not flat.
Step 7. Cut off the tails
Cut the large coil hanging below the ribbon in half to form the tails. Cut the tails as short as you want and give them a slanted or quail tail shape, whichever you choose.
Method 2 of 3: Making Small Ribbon Flowers Using Cardboard or Foam
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
To make small ribbon flowers you will need 1cm long limp ribbon, a piece of cardboard or foam, a pair of scissors and a piece of florist's wire or feather wire.
Step 2. Make a wedge on the cardboard or foam
Cut a thin V-shaped wedge into a piece of cardboard or foam with a knife or scissors.
- This wedge should be wide enough to slip the tape but small enough to hold the tape in place.
- If you are using a ribbon material that is glossy on one side and pale on the other, make sure that the shiny side is facing "down" so that when you make your ribbon, the shiny side will form the outside of your coil.
Step 3. Start making the coils
Fold your ribbon material to make a loop on one side of the wedge, then tuck your ribbon into the wedge. As you push the ribbon into the wedge, twist it so that the shiny side is facing down again.
Step 4. Continue making the coils
Continue making the coils, alternating one side of the cardboard then the other. If you want to make a smaller loop in the center, make a smaller loop as you slide it into the wedges on the cardboard.
Step 5. Cut your ribbon
When your ribbon is full enough, cut your ribbon at an angle.
Step 6. Carefully remove your tape
Remove the ribbon from the wedge on the cardboard, making sure you grasp the center of the ribbon with your thumb and forefinger.
Step 7. Tie with a piece of wire
Take a piece of wire or feather wire and wrap it around the center of the ribbon. Twist both ends of the wire firmly to secure it.
Step 8. Develop your ribbon
Once you've tightened your ribbon, take some time to adjust the loop and expand the ribbon to make it appear even and orderly.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Flower Shaped Ribbon
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
For this work you will need 3 pieces of ribbon material 1 cm wide, each measuring 20 cm long and 3 other pieces of ribbon material 1 cm wide, each measuring 18.5 cm long.
- You will also need hot glue gun and a rhinestone, button, or pearl.
- Using different colored ribbons to make longer and shorter sections will result in a beautiful looking ribbon.
Step 2. Start by creating a figure eight shape
Place the six strips of ribbon in front of you, shiny or patterned side down.
- Take the first piece of ribbon and fold it in half to make a crease in the middle. Lay your ribbon flat again.
- Apply a dot of glue to the crease line, then to the bottom end of the tape and make a side loop. Glue the end of the tape to the crease line, making sure that the shiny or patterned side is facing down.
- Repeat on the top end of the ribbon, looping the opposite end to make a figure eight.
- Now repeat the same for the other five pieces of ribbon, until you have six figure eight shapes.
Step 3. Attach your flowers
Take the three larger figure eight shapes (which are made from longer pieces of ribbon) and apply a dot of glue to the center of one of them.
- Take the second figure eight shape and paste it on the first one horizontally, so that it forms like an X or crossed. Take the third ribbon and attach it to the top of both, to form a flower.
- Repeat this step with the remaining three figure eight shapes to form the second flower. Then put a dot of glue in the center of the larger flower and glue the smaller flower in the middle.
Step 4. Glue rhinestones, pearls or buttons in the center
Place a dot of glue in the center of the smaller flower and place a rhinestone, pearl or button in the center.
Tips
- These ribbons are perfect for placing in the middle of the dining table. They add color to bouquets.
- The foam base (which you used in method 2 as described above) is used by the frame shop to support the photo on the frame. The pieces you need are 12.5 cm to 30.5 cm in size. Most frame shops have leftover foam of this size and will sell it for a low price.
