How to Weave a Ribbon Bird

Birds made out of ribbon make beautiful and graceful conversation pieces and ornaments for Christmas trees or wreaths, birthday packages or any number of places where a small extra touch is needed. They make good craft projects for a rainy day, requiring little in the way of preparation or special tools.

Things You'll Need

• Flat ribbon, at least 1/2-inch wide
• Scissors
• Clear tape
• Measuring stick or tape

Instructions

Create the Wings

1. Cut two equal lengths of ribbon, at least 8 inches long. For beginners, a long ribbon is easier to work with.

2. 

   Starting at one end of each ribbon, cut the ribbon into four equal strips lengthwise up to about two inches from the other end of the ribbon. The solid ends will be the bird's wings. You will weave the rest.

3. Lay your two ribbons out side by side. They will have a slight natural curl. Place them so the ends curl up to make it easier to work with and to lend a natural upward lift to your bird's wings when you are done.

4. 

   Fold the outside strip of each ribbon across to the inside and weave through the other strips, going over the first strip beside it, under the next, over the last one.

5. 

   Fold the second outside strip across the weave through the others, making sure to go over the strip to the inside beside it and under the last. Your ribbons now have two strips pointing forward, and two back. To make it easier to work with, place a small piece of tape on the underside of the woven strips to hold them in place.

Create the Body

1. Loop two of the forward-facing strips back over your finger, and bring the opposite pair of rear-facing strips forward. Make sure they lie across your finger in the correct order. Don't let them cross.

2. Secure the anchor strips with your thumb, or tape down the free ends to free up your hands while you weave the loose strips through these four to form the body of your bird. Don't be discouraged if you need to take several tries during this part. The curl of the long strips can make them hard to manage. Be patient. You'll get it.

3. Be sure to maintain the over and under pattern for each strip. If it comes from "under" the last strip on the wing, it will need to go "over" the first strip in the body.

4. 

   Gently tighten the weave by pulling on the ends of the long strips. If done correctly, four of the strips will lie naturally together facing to the rear, and four will come together facing front.

Create the Head and Tail

1. Lay the four forward strips together, then loop them into a knot just in front of the body, leaving the long ends free.

2. Cut the ends just past the knot. The snipped end forms the beak, and the knot the bird's head.

3. Bunch the four rear-facing strips and make a knot close to the bird's body. Leave the long ends trailing to make a graceful tail.

4. 

   Use your scissors to curl the "tail feathers" if desired, by gently pulling each strip over the sharp edge of one of the blades.

   That's it! You've made your first ribbon bird.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut several small strips of tape in advance and put them within easy reach, ready to secure your weaving or keep trailing ends out of your way while you work.