How to Prepare an Award Ribbon

Make your own award ribbon following these steps.

According to the Cutting Edge P.R. website, recognition is a "fundamental human need." Showing recognition to your children, employees or students lets them know that you're proud of them. It gives them encouragement and motivation. Something as simple as a gold star on homework is enough to make any child excited. Instead of just saying, "Great job," try making an award ribbon to acknowledge almost anything. Your child passed a difficult exam, an employee got a big account or your students all did great on a project. Recognizing those around you will help to keep them striving for their best.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard of ribbon (preferably grosgrain)
• 2 pieces of four-inch ribbon (preferably grosgrain)
• Pin backing
• Circle felt, one inch in diameter
• Regular-size needle
• 4 yards of thread
• Fabric glue

Instructions

1. Fold the ends of the ribbon in half, making sure the inside of the ribbon is facing out. Sew them together by hand.

2. Cut a piece of thread approximately two yards long. Fold the thread in half.

3. Thread the needle and knot one end so that it will secure the ribbon. Stitch all the way around the perimeter of the ribbon. The stitches should each be about three inches apart from one another.

4. Pull on the thread gently. This will bunch the ribbon up toward the center to create a circle. Tie the thread into a knot to secure the bunched ribbon.

5. Sew the pin backing to the middle of the felt. You can attach the pin backing to the felt by using fabric glue if you prefer.

6. Crisscross the ribbons slightly at the top. Lay them back side up onto the back of the bunched ribbon circle. Place the felt circle in the middle on the back of the bunched ribbon circle (pin side up). This will create a ribbon sandwich: bunched ribbon circle on top, crisscrossed ribbons in the middle, felt pin backing on the bottom.

7. Sew the ribbon sandwich by hand. Start through the felt and into knotted side of the bunched ribbon circle (so the thread doesn't show through). Sew all along the circle perimeter of the felt, then completely attach all of the materials.

References

• Cutting Edge P.R.: Why Recognition is So Important
• M.I.S.S.: She's Crafty - DIY First Place Ribbons