Saturday, April 16, 2016

Mother's Day Woven Ribbon Frame & Bows

a tutorial for making a woven ribbon frame and bows
This post first appeared on Bowdabrablog where I'm on the design team.

Celebrate Mother's Day by turning loving memories into a classic handmade gift using ribbon. 

I have an old picture of my aunts I want to gift to my niece, Patricia, this coming Mother's Day. I think she will be the one to help carry on our family history through memorabilia.  I found the picture in a loose pile of family photos I inherited from my parents.  It needed a frame so what better way than to make something handcrafted with ribbons and bows.

I picked up a 5x7 unfinished frame and 3/8" ribbon at Michaels - just the sizes I needed for this project. And using my Mini Bowdabra to make cute little bows as a finishing touch, I knew the final piece would be perfect for gift-giving! 

Start by laying out your ribbon strips by covering one side of the frame in a desired color pattern at the inside edge, cutting enough to wrap around to the back and tape together.  Next, at the inside edge of the frame, begin weaving the ribbon over and under each ribbon, alternating the ribbon as you weave.  Secure the ends with tape on the back of the frame, cutting off any excess.

Continue placing and weaving ribbon strips, keeping the same color pattern on each corner section of the frame.
Once the longer ribbon strips are woven, shorter strips of ribbon should be placed in the same color pattern and woven on the shorter sides of the frame.
I laid out the ribbon strips in the color pattern, then cut them in half, and next, weaved the ribbon over and under, one side at a time.
Next, do the shorter sides of the frame, the same as before, securing each strip with tape.
Once finish, check the woven ribbon strips to make sure they are straight on the front.  The back can be covered by gluing on a piece of cardboard or fabric slightly smaller than the size of the frame for a neater look.
Your pretty woven ribbon frame is now ready to be embellished.
Add a group of swirled rhinestones, if you like .  .  .
and then make a few cute bows using a Mini Bowdabra.
Here's how:
Cut an 18" piece of Bowdabra wire and fold in half and place into the Mini Bowdabra and Ruler with a loop at one end and two loose wires at the opposite end, tucking the ends underneath the Bowdabra.

Make a  ribbon loop, matching desired size on ruler, and press into the Mini Bowdabra.
Next, fold the other side at the same width leaving the ribbon tails below loop.  Scrunch down with the Mini Bowdabra Wand.
Thread the two loose ends of the Bowdabra Bow Wire through the loop at the other end.  Pull the Bowdabra Bow Wire tightly while the bow is still in the Mini Bowdabra.  Gently pull the bow out and tie the Bodabra Bow Wire around to the back and knot.  Cut off excess.
Make two more cute Bowdabra Bows, for a total of three, to embellish your frame and glue in place. 
Doesn't this look like the bows are tied from the ribbon strips on the frame?
How cute is this! 
Have fun this Mother's Day creating mementos of those special occasions using ribbon and your Mini Bowdabra!

Oh, btw!  Save those ribbon scraps to make a Spiky Bow like this: 
 with your Mini Bowdabra!
Happy Crafting!



16 comments:

  1. Gail, this is so pretty and would be perfect for Mother's Day. I love how you made the little ribbons. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinning to my Mother's Day board.

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  2. That is so pretty, Gail! I like how you used the different shades of purples...and it would be easy to customize to a mom's favorite color. Plus I can see this for a wedding or baby picture too. Nice!

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  3. What a pretty frame Gail. Love the three little bows too- very sweet! What a sweet gift that will make.

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  4. Your frame is incredibly beautiful, my friend! Lovely work as always :)

    Have a great week. Hugs!

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  5. A very pretty frame Gail. Using different colors really make it pop! So thrifty to make the little bows too. Thank you for sharing at DI&DI.

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  6. beautiful and perfect for gift giving! So easy to change out the ribbon colors to customize it too!

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  7. This is beautiful! I love the color purple and so does my mother. I bet she'd like this.

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  8. Gail, I love this idea for Mother's Day! The woven ribbon looks adorable on a frame! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  9. Gail another wonderful idea. The old black and white photo with the white and different shades of pinks add life to it. The beaded wire and bows set it off just right. Your niece will be thrilled with this.

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  10. Gail,
    This is so pretty! You are such a talented lady and all of the DIY projects that you do are top-notch!
    Pinned too:)
    I hope that you will also drop by on Thursdays, four of us Texas Ladies have started a new link party.
    Jemma

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  11. This is so beautiful Gail. And of course with the pretty purple we have come to expect from you.

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  12. You always create such cool stuff! Good job Gail.

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  13. What a sweet idea for Mother's Day, Gail! I love the old photo in this frame -- it really adds to the "sweetness." :) I wanted to tell you how great I think your tutorials are. You give such detailed instructions, and that's wonderful for crafty newbies like me - thank you!

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  14. Hi Gail, customized picture frames are fantastic for gifts and your purple ribbon frame is absolutely beautiful. You are so talented. Best wishes, Darlene

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  15. I love your project. But wondering where the bow maker can be purchased?

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  16. Gail, I knew this project was yours before visiting because it was purple! It is just glorious I love the end result.

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