How to Create a Ribbon Symbol

Breast cancer awareness is symbolized by a pink ribbon.

Raise awareness for your cause by creating and wearing a ribbon symbol or awareness ribbon. Wearing ribbon symbols shows support for a friend or family member suffering from a medical condition including AIDS, breast cancer, childhood leukemia or autism, or the survival of a national disaster such as victims of September 11. Each cause is correlated to a different color or combination of colors that can be represented by a curved piece of ribbon worn on your shirt or lapel.

Things You'll Need

• 7/8-inch-wide ribbon
• Scissors
• Lighter
• Small safety pin
• Double-sided tape

Instructions

1. Cut a 6-inch length of 7/8-inch-wide ribbon in the correlating color of your cause. Carefully wave each end over the open flame of a lighter to heat-seal the ends and prevent fraying. Do not hold the ribbon over the flame for a long period of time or it may brown or catch fire.

2. Weave the pointy side of a small safety pin through the back of the right end of the ribbon approximately 2 inches from the end. Close the safety pin to prevent injury to your fingers.

3. Lay the ribbon on your work surface in a horizontal orientation. Place each index finger on the ribbon 2-inches from each end and slide the ribbon ends toward your body to form a "U" shape. The technique creates a decorative bend in the ribbon at the top.

4. Overlap the left side of the ribbon onto the right side of the ribbon 2-inches from the ends. Secure the left side over the right with a small piece of double-sided tape. The left side of the ribbon and tape covers the area where the safety pin has gone through the ribbon.

5. Pin the ribbon to your shirt to raise awareness or pay tribute to the cause.

Tips & Warnings

• In lieu of attaching the safety pin, hot-glue the ribbon to a boutonniere for a special occasion.

• The ribbon size may be adjusted to create a larger ribbon for outdoor display such as yellow ribbons which support the troops or red, white and blue ribbon symbols for patriotism. Hot-glue the ribbon symbol to the center of a longer piece of ribbon to tie around a banister.

References

• American Cancer Society: Make a Pink Ribbon Lapel Pin
• Cancer Ribbons: An Introduction to Cancer Ribbons
• Crafts N Scraps: Awareness Ribbon Colors and Their Meanings
• BBB Autism Online Support Network: How to Make Your Own Autism Awareness Ribbon