DIY Ribbon Crafts – Roses

Just as natural roses have many different species, colors and looks; ribbon roses also can be made in various ways. They can be full and ruffly or tailored in tight folds. Make them on long, slender stems with ribbon leaves or stitch them directly to fabric.

Wired Ribbon Rose

1. Cut wire edge ribbon according to your roses preference size: 16″(40.6 cm) x 5/8″(15 mm); 32″(81.3 cm) x 1½”(39 mm) or 1½ yd(1.4 m) x 2¼”(56 mm). Bend and form a small loop at the end of a stem wire.
2. Pull out about 2″ (5 cm) wire at one edge of one end of the ribbon; flatten the end of the ribbon. Fold 2″ (5 cm) ribbon end down diagonally and fold the outer edge over. Slip the wire loop inside the fold. Wrap pulled wire around ribbon at bottom of folds, forming rose center.
3. Gather up remaining length of ribbon tightly, sliding ribbon along the same wire from the free end toward the rose center.
4. Wrap the gathered wire around the base of the rose, wrapping in such each layer is slightly higher than the previous layer. Fold the end of the ribbon down and grab it under the last layer.
5. Wrap the ribbon wire tightly around the base to secure it. Wrap floral tape around the base of the rose, stretching the tape and warming it with your fingers for the best adhesion. Continue down the stem and catching the ribbon leaves as you Wrap.
6. For a wired ribbon rose without a stem, omit the stem wire. Stitch the rose center as formed in step 2 to the backing fabric. Work the gathered ribbon around the base, tacking it in place as you go.

 

Traditional Roses (Made with Non-wired Ribbon)

1. Bend and form a small loop at the end of a stem wire. Fold 2″ (5 cm) ribbon end down diagonally, then fold outer edge over. Slip the end wire loop into the ribbon folds. Roll ribbon around wire base twice.
2. Fold the ribbon back diagonally. Roll the ribbon over fold, keeping upper edge of rose center just below upper edge of fold. Roll to end of fold, forming a petal. Wrap tightly with floral wire.
3. Repeat step 2 until you get the rose in desired size, cut the ribbon. Fold back ribbon end and secure to base. Wrap the base with floral tape, continue wrapping down the stem wire.
4. For a traditional rose without a stem, omit stem wire. Stitch the rose center to the backing fabric. Work the ribbon around the base, tacking it in place as you go.

 

Concertina Rose

1. Cut ribbon of length 12″(30.5 cm) of 3 ⁄ 8 “(9 mm) or ½”(12 mm) ribbon. Fold under diagonally at the center, forming a right angle. Turn the end that is underneath back over the center. Repeat with the other side.
2. Continue folding alternate ends back over previous folds, forming a square stack. Stop when the both ends are about 1″ (2.5 cm) long.
3. Turn the stack over. Hold only the two ends, and release the stack. Holding the ends securely, but loosely enough so they can slide, pull one end gently. A rose will form. Stop pulling when the excess ribbon is pulled out and the center of the rose sinks in. Tack to backing.