Weekly Theme: Ribbon Flowers

It’s the week before Christmas. I love roses at Christmas. There is a great tradition of the Christmas Rose. I thought I’d like to show how to make some flowers with ribbon.

No Sew Flowers

Another name for these flowers is the Concertina Rose, since the ribbon looks like a concertina while you are folding it. The flower can be very tiny or large depending on the width of the ribbon you use.

It takes a little practice to get the hang of making this flower. But once you do, you will be amazed at the results. It’s like MAGIC!

The fold you use is like the springy legs and arms, I taught my first and second grade art students to make using 2 pieces of construction paper. We will use the same technique with the two ends of a ribbon.

Supplies:

For the small ones – 3/8” ribbon  – 12”

For the medium ones – 5/8” ribbon – 20”

Wider ribbon will make larger flowers. You will need a longer length of ribbon.

Hot glue

Needle and Thread – optional because then it wouldn’t be “no sew”, right?

I started with a grosgrain ribbon because it isn’t as slippery as satin. Eventually you will want to use satin or other ribbons to get great highlights

Directions:

1.  Find the center of the length of the ribbon. Fold the left side down (vertically) to create a right angle or an upside down “L”.

2.  Fold the right side of the ribbon, the one underneath, back horizontally across the center.

3.  Take the vertical ribbon, (the one going straight down), and fold it straight UP and over the center.

4.  Fold the left horizontal ribbon back to the right OVER the center. Keep it horizontal.

5.  Take the vertical ribbon; fold it straight DOWN and over the center. You are forming a series of squares on top of each other creating the concertina.

6.  Continue folding the ribbons back and forth over the center. Take turns with each ribbon side, keeping them either horizontal or vertical all the time, and making the stack of ribbons. Hold the stack between your fingers. Don’t let go!

7.  When there is about 1 inch left of each side, hold the ends between your thumb and index finger with your left hand (right hand if you are a lefty). Let go of the stack while still holding the two ends. If you let go, the ribbons will unravel. So hang on!

8.  Holding the two ends together loosely, pull the bottom ribbon. Continue pulling. As you pull, keep holding on to the other ribbon.

The ribbon will twist and turn and will begin to form a flower shape.  When you see a center forming and petals forming, stop pulling, but don’t let go.

9.  Look at the bottom. Tack the excess ribbon to the other one at the base of the rose with a small dot of glue. (This is where you could use thread to secure the ends of the ribbon to the rose.)

Cut off the extra ribbon and tack the ends in with glue.

This takes a little practice, but, as I said earlier, the results are amazing. After making several flowers, in various sizes, you will have roses to attach to any surface.

Wednesday, I will share with you my ideas of how to use these amazing little flowers. In the meantime, practice, practice, and practice!

Be sure to check out the special sales on ribbons this week.

Have fun!

Rita

Click here to order ribbon.