Things You'll Need
2 ribbons, two different colors, 5/8 inch wide
Stapler
Homecoming mum on cardboard shield
Homecoming mums are popular adornments for homecoming football games. The chrysanthemum flower is adorned with ribbon in the school colors so that wearers can show their school spirit. Homecoming mums feature a flower centered on a background of colored ribbon. If homecoming mums are popular in your area, your local florist probably sells them. You can add an extra splash of color to your homecoming mum by adding a ribbon braid in your school colors. You can make your own with a few simple craft supplies. One of the easiest and most popular mum braids is the military braid.
Step 1
Measure a length of ribbon in each color that is three times the length that you wish the braid to be. If you want the braid to extend 12 inches from the mum, you will need 36 inches of ribbon in each color.
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Step 2
Designate one color as Color A and the second color as Color B. The colors you use will vary depending on your school colors.
Step 3
Lay the ribbon on a flat surface to create a right angle or "L" shape, then staple the ribbons together at the overlapping corner joint.
Step 4
Wrap Color A around Color B to create a 5/8-inch loop and staple the loop to hold. As a guide, the loop should be the same size as the width of the ribbon.
Step 5
Bend Color B slightly and push it through the loop you just made with Color A to form a second 5/8-inch loop; hold in place with your thumb and forefinger. Remember to push the part of the ribbon that is closest to the joint through, rather than the opposite end of the ribbon.
Step 6
Bend Color A slightly and push it through the second loop you just made with Color B to make a third loop. This will be the second loop for Color A. Repeat the process of pushing the ribbon through the previous loop, alternating colors as you go until you reach the end of the lengths of ribbon.
Step 7
Staple the ends together to secure the braid. This is the end that will attach to the cardboard shield and mum, so you don't have to worry about the staple showing.
Step 8
Center the stapled end on the bottom of the homecoming mum and staple to the back, making sure that your staples are concealed by the mum.
Tip
If your florist doesn't make homecoming mums, you can make your own by gathering colored ribbon in a loop around the edge of a cardboard circle and stapling the ribbon and mum into place.
If your school has several school colors, choose the two that are most predominant on your football uniforms.
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