How to Heat Set Ribbons to Prevent Fraying

Prevent your perfectly wrapped gift from looking in disarray by keeping the ribbons from fraying.

Ribbons can be used as an accessory in your hair, on gift wrapping or even as decoration during the holidays. One big problem with most ribbon is that the ends will almost always start to fray at some time. Instead of constantly cutting the ends every time you see a little fabric fraying off, prevent fraying right away. Heat-setting the ends of your ribbons will melt and seal the ends to prevent fraying forever.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Lighter

Instructions

1. Cut the ends of your ribbon straight across, in an inverted "V" or on 45-degree angles.

2. Hold one end of the ribbon in your non-dominant hand. Light your lighter to produce a small flame.

3. Run the flame of the lighter, very quickly, back and forth across the ribbon end. Pass the flame across the end of the ribbon about four or five times, or until the ends have slightly melted and are hard to the touch.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the other end of the ribbon.

5. Use your heat-set ribbon for any project without worrying about fraying.

Tips & Warnings

• Exercise care when using the lighter. Do not allow the ribbon or another material or surface to catch fire.

References

• Daily Motion: How to Prevent Ribbon from Fraying
• Boutique Narelle: Prevent Ribbon Fraying