Tie one on! - a guide to buying ribbon

Stripes, prints and polka dots! Ribbons of all colors, sizes and widths are available on ebay. The versatility of ribbon in crafts and home decor makes it a perfect (and affordable) accent for most projects. Ribbon has always been a staple of floral arrangements, sewing and gift wrapping. In recent years it has become a hot item in scrapbooking, home decorating and for embellishing purses & jeans. The variety of styles and textures of ribbon available have made this old favorite the new IT item in crafting. 

From the fresh and funky look of multiple tropical- colored ribbons tied on scrapbook page or threaded thru a summer purse to soft sheer organza bows at a wedding, ribbon sets the mood and adds the finishing touch! So, how do you know which ribbon is right for your project?

Different types of ribbon

There are several different categories of ribbon available. There are many ribbon manufacturers but most ribbons fall into one of the basic groups. Knowing the different types of ribbon will help you select the perfect one to work with

 Grosgrain ribbon can be used for belts and watch bands. 

• Grosgrain ribbon - is the name of the wildly popular ribbon used in sewing and scrapbooking. This ribbon has a texture that looks like lines across it. It is often printed with stripes or polka dots. Grosgrain ribbon is sometimes called "preppy" or "trendy" ribbon.                                         
• Satin ribbon- usually has a shiny, smooth appearance. It is sometimes printed with a design or even words. This ribbon is perfect for sewing and crafts. When cut this type of ribbon will fray easily. Gorgeous handmade hairbows can be created with satin ribbon. Great for holiday projects, too!
• Organza ribbon- this is the beautiful sheer ribbon that so often is used for bridal accesories and decorating for weddings and showers. This sheer ribbon comes in all types of colors and can be shimmery and sparkly as well. Often the organza ribbon will have a thin wire edge. This makes beautiful bows.
• Jacquard ribbon- is a woven ribbon. It can contain a geometric design or a novelty print within the weave. This ribbon is usually thicker than satin ribbon and has a nice texture because of the woven surface. Jacquard ribbon makes a wonderful trim or accent on window treatments, denim clothing, purses and jackets. Jacquard ribbon has a sturdy edge that is great for sewing it onto clothing.                             

Jaquard ribbon is a quick and easy way to dress up jeans.

• Fabric ribbon- this is a flat ribbon made by cutting fabric into strips and treating it with a stiffener. This type of ribbon can be any print that is available in regular fabric. The edges of fabric ribbon are not finished. The stiffening in the fabric keeps it from fraying, but if washed the stiffener would disolve and the edges would fray. Fabric ribbon can come in very wide widths.
• Silk ribbon- is usually used in ribbon embroidery. Silk ribbon is sometimes hand-dyed in lovely colors for embroidering. There are some other silk ribbons available for sewing. This is more of a specialty ribbon than the other categories.
• Wire edge ribbon- can include any type of ribbon. Grosgrain, satin, organza and fabric ribbons are made with a thin copper wire along the edge. The wire makes the ribbons stiffer. Wire edged ribbon holds its shape well when made into bows. It is a great accent for holiday wreaths and decorations. Wire edge ribbon can be used alone as a tree garland. It is very versatile. Gift wrapping, decorating, home decor, holiday trim, floral arrangements and paper crafts are all good matches for wire edged ribbon

.  Wire edge organza ribbon makes beautiful bows and holiday trim.

Other ribbon tips

Ribbons are made in many widths. The measurements vary between 1/16" and over 12". Fabric and organza ribbon can come in wide widths, satin and silk ribbon are typically in smaller widths. The same pattern or print ribbon may be available in several widths. This is a great way to make several projects that coordinate in one room.

Ribbon available by the yard may allow the most flexibility. You can purchase as much or as little as you need. If you are unsure how much ribbon you need, err on the side of caution. Purchase a larger amount than you anticipate using. You may not be able to match the ribbon exactly if you need more later.  Even if you find the exact pattern or stripe, the dye lots may vary. Buying in bulk or large yardages will save you money                                                 

Even ribbon being sold as "second" or "irregular" quality is a great buy! The seller may have purchased a large amount of ribbon at a low cost. The imperfections are often contained to a small area of the bolt. Sometimes there isn't even a flaw, just a break. If you need continuous yardage you can always ask the seller ahead of time if  she knows if there is a break in the yardage. Sometimes the breaks are visible on the end of the bolt because of the tape connecting the pieces.

Don't forget to check the other ribbon category for ribbons that don't fit perfectly into one the categories listed above. Some ribbons cross over into several categories. Scrapbooking embellishments and sewing are other searches that may reveal great ribbon finds.

Most of all, when it comes to ribbon, have fun and TIE ONE ON!