How to Make Ribbon Birds
Ribbon birds are extremely intriqute bows, woven and curled to look like birds. Ribbon of different widths and textures can be used to make birds of different sizes and appearances. Smaller birds are used as bows on packages, and to decorate wreaths while larger birds can be used as centerpieces or tree ornaments. Larger ribbon is easier for a beginner to work with when first mastering the way the birds body is woven.
Things You'll Need
- Two pieces of ribbon, at least 12 inches of each color
- Scissors
- Pinking sheers
- Invisible tape
- Pencil
Instructions
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1
Select ribbon for your project. For smaller birds a slick gift ribbon works well. For larger birds wire-edged craft ribbon can be used. You need two lengths of ribbon and can use two different colors as long as the two pieces of ribbon are made of the same material type and are the same width. The ribbon should be no less than 3/4 inch wide and should be the same color on both sides. The wider the ribbon the longer each piece must be.
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2
Cut the bottom two-thirds of each ribbon in four equal parts. First make a cut up the center dividing its width into two equal halves. Then slit each half in half again, so that the ribbon's width is quartered. Leave the third of the ribbon whole.
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3
Tape the ribbon at the point where the split tails and unsplit portion of the ribbon join. This will prevent it from splitting further, or fraying during the weaving process.
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4
Fold the far left strip of the first ribbon at a 90 degree angle, and basket weave it through the other three strips. To basket weave the strip, run it in an over-under-over pattern from left to right.
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5
Fold the second stip from the left side of the ribbon at a 90 degree angle so that it lies just over the top of the first folded strip. Basket weave this strip through the other two in an over-under pattern.
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Basket weave the first and second strips from the second ribbon in the same manner as the first ribbon. You should have two matching pieces of ribbon when the basket weaving is completed.
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Set the ribbons so that one of the unsplit ends faces left and the other faces right, and so that the cut ends over lap one another. This will position the two ribbons to be woven together.
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8
Basket weave the two strips of ribbon beginning at the center and working toward the outside by continuing the over-under-over pattern. When completed four strips, two from each ribbon, will face the front of the bird and four will face the back. This weaved portion of ribbon is the bottom of the bird's body.
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9
Use a large piece of invisible tape to secure the bottom of the ribbon. This tape will keep the weave tight, and prevent the strips from shifting while you are working on the other portions of the bird.
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10
Pick up two adjacent strips of the right ribbon from the front of the bird, and two adjacent strips from the left ribbon from the back of the bird and arch them up and over the weaved body to form the bird's back.
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11
Basket weave the four strips together using the over-under-over pattern. Secure the weaved section, which should be generally diamond shaped, with a small piece of invisible tape.
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12
Arch the four remaining strips up to the back of the bird, and basket weave them so that the pattern continues unbroken. When the basket weaving is complete, four of the strips should face the front of the bird, and four strips should hang from the back of the bird.
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13
Bunch the four strips at the front of the bird so that they are stacked on top of one another. Tie the strips in a loose knot to form the bird's head.
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14
Cut the strips that protrude from the head at an angle, to form a beak.
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Tie the four ribbons on the back of the bird in a tight knot against the body and curl the strips to form a tail. The ribbon can be curled by wrapping it tightly around a pencil.
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16
Remove any visible tape from the bird. When the knots have been tied the tape is not necessary because the weave can no longer shift.
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17
Use pinking sheers to trim the end of the ribbon that forms the wings. This will make them look feathered.
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