How to Make a Lotus Ribbon Flower

Create a replica of a lotus flower using just ribbon and thread.

A lotus, also known as a water lily, is a soft and beautiful flower. You can make a handcrafted replica of a lotus out of ribbon in the color and fabric of your choice. When you are finished creating your ribbon flower, you can sew it to a headband or hair clip, attach a pin to the back of the flower to be worn as a brooch, or use the lotus ribbon flower to decorate gift wrapping.

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3-inch-wide ribbon in any fabric
Scissors
Needle and thread
Pencil
Piece of crinoline
Dime
Penny
Nickle
Quarter

Instructions

- 1
  
  Cut 3-inch-wide ribbon into 5 equal 3-inch by 3-inch squares.
- 2
  
  Fold the first square in half. Fold the right side of the halved square over -- toward the middle -- into an angled third at a 120-degree angle.
- 3
  
  Fold the left side of the square over -- toward the middle -- also into an angled third at a 120-degree angle. The square piece of ribbon should now look like a "V."
- 4
  
  Fold the "V" ribbon in half, lengthwise. Cut the top of the "V" off -- from the left side to the right -- in a slight, gradual curve so that the left side is slightly shorter than the right side. Open the ribbon and you'll have a perfectly formed lotus flower.
- 5
  
  Repeat Steps 2 through 4 with the remaining four pieces of 3-inch by 3-inch ribbon squares.
- 6
  
  Draw a 3/8-inch-diameter circle with a pencil in the middle of the first flower. Thread a needle and stitch around the circle. Pull the stitch tightly, then sew the middle of the flower directly onto the crinoline.
- 7
  
  Trace a dime onto your second ribbon lotus piece. Hand stitch around the traced circle. Then, stitch the traced circle around the circle on the flower from Step 6.
- 8
  
  Trace a penny onto your third ribbon lotus piece. Hand stitch around the traced circle. Then, stitch the traced circle around the circles on the flowers from Steps 6 and 7.
- 9
  
  Trace a nickle onto your fourth ribbon lotus piece. Hand stitch around the traced circle. Then, stitch the traced circle around the circles on the flowers from Steps 6, 7 and 8.
- 10
  
  Trace a quarter onto your last ribbon lotus piece. Hand stitch around the traced circle. Then, stitch the traced circle around the circles on the flowers from Steps 6, 7, 8 and 9.
- 11
  
  Trim the crinoline from the back of the ribbon flower petals as close to the stitches as possible. Fluff up your petals to finish the flower.