Shabby Ribbon Tutorial

I’ve had several people ask about how I make a shabby, vintage-looking ribbon and bow like the one on these projects:

It’s really easy, so I threw together a few photos to help you along the way.  In these shots, I used Stampin’Up!’s Rose Red seam binding, but I have also used store-bought steam binding as well. (I haven’t tried it with any other kind of ribbon---it needs to be the seam binding, as it is soft enough to crinkle!)  Pull off a good yard or so (or more if you want to do a whole supply of it---might as well!), and let’s get to work:

Easy as pie!  Much faster than my old method of heating it in the oven!!!  You can make as few or as many loops as you want; this one only has two on each side; and trim your tails to the size you want too.  I have found that a hot glue gun is the best way to attach them to your project.  You can also add a button, brad or charm to the center.

I have dyed white seam binding with SU inks; it is a little messy, and you have to experiment with the dyes as you may not get as dark a color as you like, or you may need to mix colors.  Just dilute the dye with a little bit of water in a baggie or on your silicone craft sheet and mush the seam binding around until it is all saturated (remember tie-dying?).  I like to squeeze out the excess using a paper towel wrapped around my seam binding, remove it from the paper towel,  and then proceed right to the microwave.  Have fun!  Here’s another project I made a few months ago:

 

And a few more swaps from the meeting last week:

From Kathi Davis:

From my downline Kathy Kelly-Borowski:

And from my downline Laura Chambers:

Wonderful cards!

Playing with my great-nephew Trent in his sandbox at Uncle Raymond’s!!!

Enjoy your day!