How to Prevent a Ribbon From Fraying

Take steps to keep your ribbon ends from coming unraveled.

Ribbons are a beautiful addition to invitations, hair bows, bookmarks, wreaths, and many other crafts. Frayed ribbon ends look unsightly and mar the appearance of your crafts. A few seconds out of your crafting time is all it takes to keep your ribbons from fraying and unraveling, retaining their appearance for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Clear nail polish
• Lighter
• Liquid seam sealant for ribbons

Instructions

1. Trim the ends of the ribbons into an upside down "V" shape. The ribbon will not unravel if you remove the raw edges of the ribbon.

2. Seal the ends of the ribbon with heat to prevent fraying. Cut the ribbon edges first to make a straight edge. Light a lighter and run it over the ends one or two times to permanently seal the ribbon's ends. Hold the ribbon tightly about an inch from the edge and quickly pass only the ribbon's edge over the flame. If you hold the ribbon over the flame for too long, the ribbon will burn.

3. Brush a small amount of clear nail polish on to the ribbon ends and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes. This technique keeps the ribbon ends intact.

4. Purchase a bottle of liquid seam sealant made especially for applying to ribbons. Trim the edges of the ribbon to be straight and neat. Apply a small drop of the seam sealant to one edge of the ribbon and let it run down the entire ribbon edge. Turn the ribbon upside down to let the seam sealant dry and to prevent the sealant from soaking backwards down the length of the ribbon.

References

• Readers' Digest: Extraordinary Uses For Nail Polish In The Sewing Room

Resources

• Boutique Narelle: Prevent Ribbon Fraying