Not quite tatting related but...
Many years ago there was a show on TV called “THE HOME SHOW.” They had great craft ideas! I saw this “Reusable Ribbon Bow” on that show. I made many, many of these bows out of adding machine tape for big, beautiful, bows to put on the end of church pews for several weddings. Later I made quite a few of these to use on packages within our family.
Many years ago there was a show on TV called “THE HOME SHOW.” They had great craft ideas! I saw this “Reusable Ribbon Bow” on that show. I made many, many of these bows out of adding machine tape for big, beautiful, bows to put on the end of church pews for several weddings. Later I made quite a few of these to use on packages within our family.
Recently in a conversation with a friend, I remembered these
bows and promised to show her one.
Wouldn’t you know it!! I could not find a single one of them! (I think “the Borrowers must have taken them—anyone
remember those books?) Well, I sat down
and “tinkered” with some ribbon and came up with a workable ribbon bow….now
time to replenish my supply! To get a printable pdf of this tutorial CLICK HERE
Reusable
Ribbon—Tutorial
By Patricia Cobb
10 feet of cloth ribbon ¾ inch wide (I bought a 5 yard roll
for $3.99 at Hobby Lobby)
Stapler and staples
Fishing Line or strong cord
2 pieces of Cardboard (or something similar) for both ends
of fishing line.
Fraycheck
1. Fraycheck the ends of your ribbon. Fold the cloth ribbon in half. “Anchor” one end of the fishing line with a small piece of cardboard. (I wrapped mine several times around a (¾ x ¼ inch) piece of cardboard, and then stapled it.
2. Staple this piece of cardboard inside the ribbon (staple is parallel to the fold) ¾ of an inch from the fold.
3. Place the remaining staples – alternating diagonal directions… ( / , \ , / , \ and so on… ). Make sure you catch the fishing line inside each of the staples!
4. Place 2 staples 2 inches apart.
5. Place 4 staples 3 inches apart.
6. Place 4 staples 4 inches apart.
7. Place 4 staples 5
inches apart.
8. Anchor the last end of the fishing line on a piece of cardboard large enough that you can wind the fishing line up on it.
TO USE:
Pull the thread taught, a few “staple widths” at a time.
 |
| Start near the beginning |
 | ||
Work your way towards the middle
 |
When the ribbon is formed, wind fishing line up on cardboard. Tape piece of loose end “anchor” cardboard onto package.
TO STORE:
Remove from package.
Remove tape. Unwind thread and
pull ribbon out flat. The ribbon may be
stored folded or flat.
I remember that show and loved it but don't remember the bows :) thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. We lived in the country at the time this show was on, and had very limited channel options and I appreciated such a family oriented show. I was always surprised at the variety of crafts, sewing and cooking (not just recipes--but also techniques like how to buy a canteloupe and how to cut up a chicken), and life helps (the "ettiquette rules about and how to write thank you notes) and household skills that they would show (how to wash windows). I remember our local fabric and craft stores (even the Walmart fabric section) in town all had petition sheets trying to request the network to continue making the show when it was cancelled.
DeletePatricia, that's incredible! I loved the Borrowers and read all the books. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is always amazing to me to start pulling the string and watch the bow form -- it is almost "magic"!
ReplyDeleteLike you apparently, I was an avid reader in my childhood! These and so many other novel's characters were so well written and they "came alive in my mind." to the point, that today, many decades later...I will think "the Borrowers must have taken it", or "I wonder who I can get to pay me a quarter to do this job?" (I think that one a lot--but my friends and family are apparently a lot smarter than Tom Sawyer's!) When I can't remember if I've done my initial wash or the "repeat" shampoo in the shower, I will think "I'm Nancy Drew again" (she often washed her hair multiple times when lost in thought.) It has made me aware that we should provide reading and viewing* material (*tv, videos, movies) for our children and grandchildren that are quality and will help build and mold their character!
Just a note: I have attempted over the years to cut down on our "wrapping" costs (especially Christmas) --especially on gifts within the family. Now that I've remembered these cloth bows--they can dress up the few paper-wrapped gifts we give and help that endeavor. (I have quit buying printed paper and purchase solid colors that can be used for a variety of occasions. For small children, I save the colored Sunday funny newspaper sections to use.) I have also purchased discounted fabric after Christmas and sewed "fabric" gift bags with a quick tie fabric ribbon near the top of the bag. By making a few each year, in different fabrics and a wide variety of sizes, gift wrapping has become an easy and extremely quick process
ReplyDeleteI so concur with the wrapping. I confess that I have a mild Christmas fabric addiction. Hee! Don't forget Trixie Belden and the Beezus and Ramona books.
ReplyDeleteMy husband thinks I have a fabric addiction in general! But--you must buy fabric now in case there is a boll weevil epidemic that comes and totally wipes out cotton from the face of the earth!!! (haha!)
ReplyDeleteBeverly Cleary! I am slowly reading the Ramona series to my oldest grandson now!
Wow--Trixie Beldon! I'd forgotten her. I never read the entire series--but I had several. She and her friends solved mysteries, and had a club called the Bob Whites (she got in trouble at school because they thought she was wearing a "gang" jacket!