How to Make Spiral Ribbon

Tired of seeing the curly Q hair bows but not wanting to pay the outrageous prices for them. Learn how to make the spiral ribbon so you can make the bows for FAR less than you would be spending at Boutiques.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grosgrain ribbon 1/8"
• wooden dowels
• wooden clothes pins
• oven
• cookie sheet
• aluminum foil (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Take your wooden dowel and wrap grosgrain ribbon from one end of the dowel to the other. At each end of the dowel secure the ribbon in place with the clothes pin.

3. Place your wrapped dowels onto a cookie sheet. I cover mine with aluminum foil because all of my pans are so old. It keeps any residue from the pan from getting on to your ribbon. I can usually fit about 5-6 dowels on a cookie sheet. Placed about an inch and a half apart.

4. Put cookie sheet in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

5. Check ribbon at around 15 minutes, take one of the clothes pins off of the end of the dowel. If the ribbon starts to unravel then you have not cooked the ribbon long enough. Put it back in the oven and let it finish baking. If the ribbon stays in place your ribbon is ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have starch that you use when ironing you can spray the ribbon before putting it in the oven. I however have done the spiral ribbon without the starch and it holds just fine as well.
• If you don't have any wooden dowels they can be found at almost any craft store. I have found that the width that I like is about 1 1/2 to 2 cm.
• Remember that the wood is going to be somewhat hot when you take it from the oven. I usually let it set for a few minutes before removing the ribbon.