Which ribbons curl
Only thin curling ribbon, the polypropylene kind, holds a spiral once it is dragged over a scissor blade. The ribbon width guide lists 3 mm and 6 mm for tags and fine trims, which is where curled tails belong.
Satin does not curl this way; it creases or stretches. To make satin hold a shape, use a wired edge, as the guide to velvet, metallic, wired and sheer ribbon explains.
How to curl ribbon with a scissor blade
- Cut the curling ribbon to length and finish the ends at an angle.
- Hold the scissors still, blades closed, with one blade edge facing up.
- Lay the ribbon over the blade near the end and pinch it against the blade with your thumb.
- Pull the ribbon along the blade in one steady stroke, always away from your hand and fingers, never towards them.
- Let it spring back. A firmer, faster pull gives a tighter curl.
- Repeat along each tail so the set matches.
Test on an offcut first, and curl after the bow is tied so the curls are not crushed.
Layering two ribbons
Layering lays one ribbon on top of another so the lower one shows as a border each side. A sheer over a satin gives a soft glow; a satin over a grosgrain gives a smooth strip on a ribbed base.
The rule is that the top ribbon is always narrower. Take both widths from the standard list in the ribbon width guide: 3, 6, 10, 16, 25, 38 and 50 mm. Choose the wide ribbon for the box first, then step down at least one width for the top. For example, a 25 mm base with a 10 or 16 mm top, or a 38 mm base with a 16 or 25 mm top. These are starting points, not fixed pairs: lay the two ribbons together on the real box before you order.
For colour, either go one tone darker or lighter than the base for a quiet, rich look, or choose a contrast such as emerald with ivory. A sheer shows whatever sits under it, so test it over the real base. The same colour also reads differently on each finish, as the guide to ribbon finishes notes.
The double bow
Both methods start from the two-loop bow in the gift bow guide, so practise that first.
Two bows, stacked
- Tie the larger bow in the wider ribbon on the cross wrap and tighten it.
- Tie a smaller bow in the narrower ribbon, with clearly shorter loops.
- Set the small bow on the centre knot of the large one and tie it off underneath.
- Fan the loops so the small bow sits inside the large one, then trim the narrow tails slightly shorter.
One bow, two ribbons held together
- Centre the narrow ribbon on the wide one and hold the pair as one ribbon.
- Make the cross wrap, half-knot and two loops exactly as in the gift bow guide.
- Smooth each loop flat before tightening so the narrow ribbon does not slide or twist.
- Check from the front that the lower ribbon shows evenly on every loop.
Size the large bow to the lid with the loop method in the bow sizes guide, then make the small one clearly smaller.
A layered band with no bow
For a flat look, centre the narrow ribbon on the wide one and wrap the pair round the box together, joining on the underside. There are no loops to size, so a long run of boxes stays consistent.
The looks at a glance
| Look | Ribbons | Widths | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft glow | Sheer over satin | 25 mm satin, 10 mm sheer | Test the sheer over the real satin |
| Textured stripe | Satin over grosgrain | 38 mm grosgrain, 16 mm satin | Keep the satin dead centre |
| Hamper statement | Narrow over wide | 50 mm base, 25 mm top | Use a wired edge if the bow must stand |
| Flat and modern | Layered band, no bow | 25 mm base, 10 mm top | Join on the underside |
| Playful tails | Curling ribbon beside a bow | 3 or 6 mm | Curl after tying, away from your hand |
Do not guess a pairing. Pick the base from the box, step down to a narrower width from the standard list, and tie one sample before you cut for the whole order.
How layering changes the ribbon you need
Two ribbons means roughly two lengths instead of one, because each layer runs the full band and bow. The lengths are not equal, though, so work out each ribbon separately with the ribbon calculator and add the results. Tie a real sample, untie it and measure each ribbon, as the bow sizes guide explains.
Finishing the ends of both layers
Cut both layers at an angle or in a V and stagger them so the narrow tail ends slightly short of the wide one. Sheer frays fastest, so give it the same care as the base. The guide to cutting ribbon without fraying covers the cuts and when heat sealing works.
Questions buyers ask
Which ribbon can I curl with scissors?
Thin polypropylene curling ribbon. Satin, grosgrain and organza crease or stretch instead of curling, so use a wired edge to shape them.
How do I curl ribbon safely?
Hold the scissors still with the blades closed, lay the ribbon over the edge and pull it along the blade away from your hand, never towards it. Test on an offcut first.
Can I layer two ribbons of the same width?
You can, but the lower ribbon will not show. The top ribbon should be narrower, so a strip of the base shows each side. Take both widths from the ribbon width guide.
What colour should the top ribbon be?
One tone darker or lighter than the base for a quiet look, or a clear contrast such as emerald with ivory. Test a sheer over the real base before you order.
How much more ribbon does a double bow take?
Roughly two lengths instead of one. Work out each ribbon separately with the ribbon calculator after measuring a real sample of each.
Should I stack two bows or tie one with two ribbons?
Tying with two ribbons held together is quicker and suits a batch. Stacking gives more depth but each bow needs sizing. Use the gift bow guide for the base bow either way.
