A Ribbon Runs Through It
Folded-ribbon Braid
Use a variety of ribbons, colors and widths in this flat "braid." While the ribbons appear to be braided, the trick is folding the ribbons into place. The finished ribbon has built-in give, making it great for curved surfaces and packages. Plan on purchasing 1 1/3 times the required finished length, plus 1 1/2" for seam allowances. For the featured braid, 30" of ribbon yielded a 22" finished trim. Wider ribbons will require more yardage.
MATERIALS
- 30" each of 1/4"-wide gold grosgrain ribbon, 3/8"-wide black grosgrain ribbon and 5/8"-wide checked ribbon
- 2/3 yard of 1"-wide gold grosgrain
- Fusible web tape (optional)
Set aside the 1"-wide ribbon. It will be the base for the braid.
Lay two narrow ribbons side by side, keeping the ends even. Lay the third ribbon at a 90 degree angle to them, overlapping the ends and extending the third ribbon 1/2" beyond the other two. Pick up ribbon 2 and position it on top of ribbon 3. Pin the ribbons together where they overlap (8).
Begin the "braid" by picking up ribbon 1 and folding it diagonally to the left over ribbon 2, so ribbon 1 is parallel to ribbon 3; pin in place.
With a knotted double thread and beginning from the ribbon wrong side, take a small, loose stitch through all layers at the center of the braid (9). After taking a stitch, allow the needle to hang free on the wrong side.
Pick up ribbon 3, and fold it to the right over ribbon 1. Pin the ribbon in place. Take another small stitch to secure the ribbon. Repeat the folding and stitching, keeping the outside edges of the braid straight and parallel, until you reach the desired length.
Stitch straight across the ends of the braid, and trim the uneven ends close to the stitching. Turn under each end of the braid and stitch to secure.
On the 1"-wide ribbon, turn under one end and stitch in place. Using fusible web tape or hand stitching, secure the braid down the center of the 1"-wide ribbon, matching the braid finished end with the finished end of the wide ribbon.
Turn under the wide ribbon's unfinished end even with the braid end and stitch in place. Trim the remaining ribbon close to the stitching.
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