Ribbon Scraps Tutorial

I created thsi tutorial on using ribbon scraps for a DT call at Urban Anthology.
I’m pretty good about using scrap pieces of cardstock and paper, but I also have tons of ribbon scraps that I haven’t done anything with! You know the pieces that are too small to tie in a knot, or too frayed, or just not long enough for your page? I keep my ribbon scraps in a bucket and I thought it was about time that I did something with them.
Here is my bucket stash:


I began by cutting a piece of chipboard (you could use a heavy cardstock, too) to 3 x 12. I then covered the entire thing with double sided tacky tape. Here is the chipboard covered with the tape.



I randomly chose some pieces of ribbon from my pile and started adhering them to the middle line of the chipboard.



I started in the middle because I thought I would like the effect if some hung off the top and bottom edges. I used all shapes and sizes, and just tried to fill in spaces as I went along. I have to admit that I did have to cut a few small pieces of ribbon that weren’t in my scrap pile to fill in some spaces. I did try to apply them in such a way that the colors were somewhat balanced throughout.
This is my finished border:




Using some more of the scraps, I wanted to make some simple little flowers for my page. I cut seven different pieces of ribbon, all about the same size, and folded each in half and secured them with a glue dot. Then I attached each piece to the back of a button, and viola!



Because my ribbon strip and flowers were so busy, I went with a black and white photo, and a black background. I added some stitching around the edge, and some ribbons on the top right threaded through some eyelets to balance out the page.
There are many other ways to use your ribbon scraps, too! Instead of using all different colors, use ribbon that are the same color scheme and cut chipboard in different shapes. I cut out a chipboard heart and picked some red and pink scraps. I tacky taped the chipboard, added the ribbon, then trimmed around the outside. To make it pop, I inked the edges of my shape.




Here are some other ways to use ribbon scraps:
-Cover chipboard letters with tiny pieces of ribbon
-Use the scraps to create a frame around a photo.
-Sew ribbon scraps of different sizes and lengths together end to end and side by side. Or, try weaving your scraps and sewing them.