How to Use Wired Ribbon

Wire ribbon, sometimes referred to as French wire ribbon, is a versatile craft staple used to make bows and floral embellishments for wreaths, gift-wrapping and numerous craft projects. Wire ribbon comes in stiff wire mesh, soft satins, paper, fabric and grosgrain variations. Wire ribbon comes wired on one side or both. Using wired ribbon to make bows and flowers is a fun and easy project that can add that special touch to your crafting creations.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Wire ribbon
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Needle and thread
• Florist tape (optional)

Instructions

Making Wire Ribbon Bows

1. Measure the wire ribbon with the tape measure. Using scissors, cut approximately 24 inches of wire ribbon.

2. Tie a loose knot in the center by holding an end of the wire ribbon in both hands. Make a loop on each end of the ribbon and tie the wire ribbon into a bow.

3. Measure the long wire ribbon by using the tape measure again. Cut a piece of 3 ½-inch-long ribbon.

4. Place the 3 ½-inch piece of wire ribbon on top of the center knot of the bow, twisting the two ends of the 3 ½-inch-long piece of wire ribbon behind the bow. The front of the bow should have a nice, smooth center. Glue the wire ribbon bow onto your craft.

Making Wire Ribbon Floral Embellishments

1. Measure with the tape measure a piece of 12-inch-long wire ribbon. Flowers work best with soft satin wire ribbons, with the wire on one or both sides of the ribbon.

2. Thread the needle and tie a secure knot onto the end of the thread. Choose one side of the ribbon to be "the top" of the flower and one side to be "the bottom" of the flower.

3. Stick the needle into the end of the top of the wire ribbon directly beneath the wire. Bring the needle through the ribbon fabric until the knot touches the ribbon fabric. Loop the needle with the thread around the end of the ribbon and poke the needle back through the ribbon, pulling the thread tight into a stitch to secure.

4. Gather with the needle and thread the edge of the ribbon under the wire of one side of the ribbon. To gather, insert the needle with the thread into the wire ribbon fabric, in a running stitch, into the ribbon and out of the ribbon, in and out, so that you'll be able to pull the thread at the end of the ribbon and the ribbon will curl together or gather.

5. Pull the thread and gather the ribbon. It will bunch up on one side. Curl the gathered ribbon around itself, forming a "flower."

6. Sew the gathered part of the wire ribbon together at the bottom with the needle and thread, or wrap the gathered end of the wire ribbon with florist tape. Glue or sew the wire ribbon flower to your craft.

Tips & Warnings

• Operate glue guns with caution as they get very hot and can result in burns.

References

• Wire Ribbon Bow Tutorial Video
• Ribbon Bow Instructions
• Detailed Wire Ribbon Poppy Instructions

Resources

• Wire Ribbon Photo