ADDING A SINGLE RIBBON TO YOUR WREATH BASE
MATERIALS:
-5-10 yd roll of your choice of wired ribbon in any size.
–Self Healing Mat or Ruler
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STEP 1: MEASURE/CUT YOUR RIBBON
When I add ribbon to my wreath I typically cut my pieces between 12″-14″ depending on the look I want to achieve. I only use 12″ if I am making a small wreath otherwise the ribbon will probably get lost in all the deco mesh. 13″ is my standard if I am making a wreath where I don’t necessarily want the ribbon to be the focus of attention or when I am using various other accents. I use 14″ if I really want to focus the attention on some gorgeous ribbon. For this example I am using 14″ pieces because I am only using one style of ribbon around the whole base so I do want it to stand out a little more.
It is better to start placing the ribbon on your wreath once your base is completely done.
It is a lot easier to measure out your ribbon on a Self-Healing Mat but if you do not own one you can use a ruler or measuring tape.
Use a completed wreath base in any style you choose.
Measure out your ribbon. For this example we will be cutting the ribbon at 14″
The easiest and most efficient way to cut your ribbon is to fold the ribbon on the 14″ mark and fold around and around until you have six pieces. Folding more than six pieces makes it harder to cut. You will need a total of 12 pieces for this wreath style. For this example we are using the Single Layer Cruffle Style wreath base. After you have cut all 12 pieces you will create dovetail ends on both sides of your ribbon. Some wreath bases such as the Woodland Ruffle or Poof/Bubble Style can use more than 12 cuts of ribbon.
Fold at the 14″ mark.
Go around and around folding your ribbon into 14″ pieces.
Keep folding until you have 6 pieces.
Fold 6 pieces then cut the end.
Pull your scissors through the middle then cut. Repeat on the other end.
You will have 6 pieces of equal length ribbon.
Next you will dovetail the ends of your ribbon.You will begin your dovetail by folding the end of your ribbon in half. Then cut diagonally from the fold up to the ends.
This is what it should look like after you cut it.
You will be cutting both ends into dovetails.
STEP 2: ADD RIBBON TO THE WREATH BASE
To place the ribbon on your deco mesh wreath base you will start by pinching the middle of the ribbon. Then place it onto the deco mesh using the chenille stem. Twist the chenille stem on top of the ribbon to secure it down.
Pinch the middle of the ribbon.
Place the pinched ribbon on top of the deco mesh using the chenille stem.
Twist the tie two to three times to hold the ribbon in place.
If you will not be adding tubing to your wreath, your ribbon is ready to be secured down. Continue to twist the chenille stem up until you have about an inch stem. Use wire cutters to cut the rest off. Then tuck the stem down until it’s completely hidden under.
Twist until you have about a 1″ stem
Use your wire cutters to trim the rest off.
Tuck the stem down.
Push it under to completely hide it.
Move to the next deco mesh ruffle piece. If you will not be placing more ribbon or tubing you will twist the chenille stem and cut/tuck. For this example we alternated ribbon on every other deco mesh ruffle piece.
You will not be adding ribbon to the next ruffle so just twist, cut and tuck your tie.
Alternate placing your ribbon on every other ruffle piece and cutting the ties in the ruffles in between as well.
After you have gone all the way around the wreath, placing the ribbon on every other ruffle, you will have completed this style of adding ribbon.
Your wreath is now ready for other accents!