Using Ribbons
By Sara Naumann

Ribbon: It’s one of the most basic supplies in a craft store. Inexpensive, versatile, tactile and (most important) fun to use, we’re now using ribbon for all kinds of paper crafts!

The design team at Hot Off The Press is no different. “Ribbons add a lot of style for very little money,” says designer LeNae Gerig, who lists grosgrain ribbon as her favorite. “The ribbons available now are reminiscent of my childhood. I love the texture and durability. Today’s varieties are a new spin on an old style.”

Tips for Ribbon

1. Trim the ends of the ribbon at an angle to prevent unraveling.
2. Use sharp, clean scissors. “Use Un-du to clean adhesive from your scissor blades before cutting ribbon,” Susan advises.
3. Remember that it always takes more ribbon to tie a bow, so cut more than you think you’ll need, then trim the excess. “Sometimes people think they can tie the bow, trim the ends, untie it, and then retie,” says Susan. “It never works—so be sure to allow for more ribbon.”
4. Use a dry adhesive for attaching ribbon. A wet glue will stain the fabric. Susan recommends the Click & Stick mounting tabs, which are thin and clear.

Gingham Paris knotted a piece of gingham ribbon on top of each of the inked slide mounts and added a length of gingham as a border down the page. “I just knotted the ribbon and used a Mini Glue Dot™ behind each knot,” says Paris. “For the ribbon border, I placed it on the paper and secured the ends on the backside of the page with tape.” Ribbon: Cardmaker’s™ Classic Ribbons.	Zoom in
Twill Paris used brads to attach her pieces of pre-printed twill ribbon to accent the glassine mini envelope on the front of her card. Paris advises, “Always make a cut of some kind in the ribbon before trying to insert the brad—otherwise the fabric will tear.” Paris uses the tip of an x-acto® knife to make the cut. Ribbons from Twill Sentiments #2.	Zoom in
Grosgrain Susan added a gold buckle to a piece of black grosgrain ribbon, then criss-crossed it with another piece of grosgrain, to wrap around the pocket on this page. “You can use regular glue stick to attach any ribbon that’s a dark color and has a texture,” she says. “Just be sure to use a light touch!” For smooth edges, Susan wrapped the ends of the grosgrain around the back of the paper and secured the ends with more glue. Ribbon: Buckle Up Treasure (includes buckle and eyelet).	Zoom in
Lightweight Ribbon LeNae wrapped lightweight ribbons around her card front, securing the two ends on the front where the tag will hide them. She tied the tag to the ribbon border with two lengths of ribbons, Pony beads are threaded onto the ribbons and secured with knots. “The great thing about the lightweight ribbons is that they’re easy to tie, and you can group several together without adding a lot of bulk,” says LeNae. Ribbons from Earth Tones Ribbons.	Zoom in

For more ideas using ribbon on paper crafts, check out the Cardmaker’s Idea Book and Making Designer Scrapbook Pages.