How to Craft Ribbon Flowers

You can craft variegated ribbon flowers with two different ribbons.

Crafting ribbon flowers takes only a little time and very rudimentary sewing skills. You can craft a ribbon flower with variegated petals by simply using two different colors and widths of ribbon. The flower is simple, yet decorative and pretty enough to be fastened to a sweater collar, a hat or even the handle of a handbag. Use a few simple tips to craft a flower ribbon on your own or with a child.

Things You'll Need

• 6-inch length of red ribbon, 1-inch wide
• 6-inch length of yellow ribbon, 1/2-inch wide
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Button

Instructions

1. Lay the red ribbon horizontally on a flat surface. Place the yellow ribbon on top of the red ribbon so their upper edges are even.

2. Thread a needle with a length of thread. Cut the thread with scissors and knot it. Don't make the thread overly long, as it will tangle.

3. Stitch the ribbons together at the top with the needle and thread, using stitches that are about 1/4-inch long. Pull the thread when you get to the end of the ribbon to bunch the ribbon up like a hair scrunchie. Stitch back over the last few stitches to hold them in place.

4. Fold the bunched ribbons over until the ends meet, and place the ribbons horizontally on a flat surface; the row you stitched in Step 3 should be on the bottom. Stitch the bottom of the folded-over ribbons horizontally together with one row of stitches. This will become the stitched-up center of the flower. Hold all four ribbon ends together, and stitch them together vertically with three or four stitches to complete the flower circle. Trim the excess ribbon from the bottom and ends, using scissors.

5. Spread the flower open so that you can see a red flower with a yellow center. There will be a seam in the flower where you stitched the ribbon edges together. Place a button in the center of the flower, and stitch the button in place. Fluff the ribbon around the button to create the effect of red and yellow flower petals.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using two ribbons with different textures to add an interesting visual contrast.

References

• Cyberseams: How to Sew By Hand - Basic Stitches