How to Hang Show Ribbons

If you play competitive sports, dance, cheer, participate in pageants, are an equestrian, etc. there is a good chance that you've collected many show ribbons over the years. Instead of keeping the ribbons locked away or strewn about, you should display them proudly. Following a few simple tricks, you can put your show ribbons in order, making for a great display for others to see.

Things You'll Need

• Leather belt(s)
• Fabric glue
• Stick-on engraveable plaques (3 inches long)
• 2-inch nail
• Hammer
• Shadow box

Instructions

Using belts

1. Lay a leather belt out onto any flat surface. The bottom of the belt will be the end with the buckle.

2. Apply a light layer of fabric glue to the back of your first ribbon. Adhere the ribbon to the belt (about two inches from the top). Press lightly onto the ribbon to ensure that it adheres.

3. Repeat step 2 with all of the ribbons that you have from that particular year (you may need a second belt). Do this until the last ribbon hangs just above the bottom of the belt buckle.

4. Purchase an engraveable, tiny plaque (about 3 inches in length, 1 inch in height) and have engraved onto it the year during which the ribbons were won.

5. Peel off the backing of the plaque and stick it to the end of the buckle. If you did not purchase a stick-in plaque, a few drops of super glue will adhere it to the belt buckle quickly.

6. Place a nail into the top middle of the belt (where the holes for the buckle are). Put the ribbon display on the wall where you'd like it to go. Gently tap the nail into the belt until it is hammered into the wall.

Using a shadow box

1. Purchase a shadow box from any hobby and craft store. Make sure that the box is large enough for all of the ribbons.

2. Open the back of the box and pull out the "backing." The backing is a piece of material (like felt) that is kept inside the shadow box and can be removed. The objects that you would like to display inside the shadow box are attached to this material, in this case the ribbons.

3. Add a drop of glue to the backs of each ribbon. Begin gluing the ribbons, one by one, onto the backing.

4. Replace the backing into the box so that the ribbons can be seen through the front of the box. Close the back of the shadow box.

5. Display the box wherever you'd like. The shadow box will not only display the ribbons that mark your accomplishments, but it will also help to prevent your ribbons from fading from the sun and from getting dirty.

References

• Thrifty Fun: Displaying Award Ribbons