How to Make Ribbon Poinsettias

A little ribbon lets you enjoy poinsettias without the hassle of a live plant.

Poinsettias bring a tropical touch to Christmas traditions, but live plants aren't always appropriate or desired. You can create the same look with ribbon and continue enjoying the red blooms all year. Use your crafty creations as ornaments or on wreaths, as well as placing them in or around other plants as part of a tablescape. If you use different colors of ribbon, the poinsettias can even become your signature package topper for all occasions.

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards 5/8-inch satin ribbon
• Ruler
• Scissors
• 6 inches 1/8-inch ribbon
• 1/2 yard 1 1/2-inch velvet ribbon
• Fabric glue
• Craft wire

Instructions

Poinsettia Bow

1. Make a loop at the end of the ribbon, about 4 inches long.

2. Wind the rest of the ribbon around the loop, making a bundle.

3. Cut notches out of the sides of the loop at the center, leaving about 1/4 inch in the middle.

4. Tie the narrow ribbon around the center of the loop at the notches, drawing it tight. Knot the ribbon twice to form the center of the flower.

5. Cut each end of the loop off to form a point on the end. Cut through all the layers of the loop.

6. Spread the ribbons out to make the petals of the poinsettia. As you pull them away from the center, twist each ribbon piece 180 degrees to add texture to the center.

7. Use the narrow ribbon to tie the flower to your package or other spot.

Poinsettia Flowers

1. Cut the velvet ribbon into 6-inch pieces.

2. Trim the ends of each ribbon piece to points on each.

3. Fold a piece of ribbon in half length-wise. Then fold each edge down to form a fan-fold. Hold the fold in place with a drop of fabric glue between the layers.

4. Place three folded ribbons side by side. Wrap the center of the bundle tightly with a piece of craft wire.

5. Cover the wire with another piece of ribbon or with artificial stamens from a craft or florist store.

Tips & Warnings

• Dip the ends of your ribbon in white glue if they start to fray. When dried, the glue will stop the unraveling.

• Experiment with the length and width of the ribbons to make flowers of different sizes.

References

• Print My Ribbon: Poinsettia Bow
• Lillyella; Crafting: A Ribbon Poinsettia Wreath; December 2009
• Offray: Offray Ribbon's Poinsettia Ornament