Tuesday 24 January 2012

My Ribbon Flower Tutorial

Good morning crafty friends!  Finally, I found some extra time to put together my promised ribbon flower tutorial!  There were a few issues with it such as getting the first picture to load the right direction.  I finally gave up on that one so you will have to turn your head to the right to view it! LOL  Also, apologies for having to look at my much loved and well used craft mat.  I did have every intention on getting a new one for the tutorial. I have never done one of these on my blog, but I will try to walk you through each picture and explain what I am doing.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me for further clarification.                                                                                                                1.  Begin with a length of ribbon that is about 18" long and no wider than 1/2". You may use wider ribbons for this, but cut them down the centre and attach the tape to the cut edge.   I am using basque red vintage ribbon for the tutorial.  Lay it out on your craft sheet and attach 1/2" wide redline tape to the lower edge.  The tape needs to be just catching the bottom edge of your ribbon firmly (probably 1/16" of the ribbon)

 2. Peel off the red liner exposing the sticky tape.  Fold the first bit of the ribbon down so that the cut edge is attached to the sticky tape.  This will help prevent any fraying from coming out of the centre of your finished rose.
 3. Begin by rolling the tape tightly by pushing it with your finger.  You will only do this until the folded piece becomes enclosed in the centre and the top of the ribbon becomes even.  If you want a very tight rose, you can roll a bit more here before going on to the next step.
4.  Once you have the centre of the rose, peel up the entire piece of ribbon and tape off your craft mat.  You will start to give your flower more fullness now.  This is accomplished by rolling the ribbon but gathering the tape slightly as you go.  This will cause the ribbon to become wider at the top slightly. 

 5.  Continue to roll and pleat the tape portion.  This is a very slight pinching as you roll, but you will see the ribbon take shape.  Try to keep the top of the ribbon at the same height as you go.  You will probably have to bring the tape up slightly around the base as you go.
6. Continue pinching the tape in at the bottom as you roll.  I am right handed so I use my thumb nail on my right hand to tuck a bit of the tape inward and then hold it from behind with my left hand as I pull my thumbnail away from the sticky tape.

7.  Here is a view from the top of your flower as it progresses.  You will be able to see the small pleats as you look down into the flower.  I like a bit of unevenness to the pleats as it gives the flower a shabby chic sort of look.

8.  As you reach the end of your ribbon, fold the end down onto the tape as you did in the beginning.  This will give your flower a nice finish without an unfinished edge showing or fraying.  Wrap this piece to the bottom of the flower and firmly press the end into the tape at the bottom.

9.  Sometimes, there is an excess of tape on the underside of your flower.  This can be easily cut away with a sharp pair of scissors.  This will also give your flower a flat spot to sit nicely on your card or project.  I always attach my flowers using large glue dots.  The bottom of the flower will already be somewhat sticky from the redline tape, but you will find it isn't enough to attach the flower firmly since you have been handling the tape as you roll your flower.  Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue also works well to attach these flowers to your projects.

10.  A close up of your finished flower!  You can make them more or less full depending on how much pleating and gathering you do with the tape.  Also, if you get the the end of your tape and decide you want a larger flower, just cut another piece and continue adding it on in the same manner until you get the desired size for your flower.  You can use virtually any type or size of ribbon to make these too.  They look lovely in organza, cotton hemp, American seam binding , lace or metallic crocheted ribbon.  You will be able to see all kinds of ribbons used on my cards made into this type of flower using the same method as in my tutorial.   I hope you have enjoyed it!  All for now, Sue x

152 comments:

Sonia said...

God morning Sue, thank you soooo much for your tutorial. If mine look half as good as yours I'll be pleased!
Blessings
Sonia - St Helens

Anonymous said...

Good morning Sue, and thank you so much for the tutorial. will be giving it a go later today.fingers crossed it will look like yours.
Pauline x

mags said...

Great tutorial Sue. These flowers look so effective and will definitely give it a go.
Mags
x

Ann said...

Love the tutorial, if my flowers turn out looking half as good as yours I'll be well pleased, Cannot wait for daylight to have a go.
Take care
AnnH60

Kazbomps said...

Great tutorial. Hope my flowers turn out as good as yours. Thanks Sue. Karen x

Missmizog said...

Hi Sue
Thank you for the step by step tutorial. Will be giving this a go.
Sue

Linda (Lindyloo) said...

Good morning Sue and I just have to say you're a star. You said you would do a tutorial but I never expected it to be when you were away.
It is so easy to understand and I think even a real novice would be able to make a rose with your tutelage.
All the best Linda

hazel young said...

Morning Sue, beautiful rose thanks for the tutorial xx hazel

Annie said...

Good morning sue! Well I couldnt believe it this morning when I saw it was ribbon flowers tutorial and got very excited as I always see your beautiful cards and demonstrations and love them but seemed to miss the how to demo but not anymore lol I will be possitively trying these today and hoping they look half as good as yours

Thankyou for such amazing inspiration & easy to understand tutorials

Inkypinkycraft said...

Great , these flowers are fab and I need to have a try now!!!hugs trace x
Thanks for the at by step and lots of pics...fingers crossed for my flowers!!

Carole Z said...

Morning Sue! Thanks so much for the tutorial...I will be trying it later when I get home from work, Carole Z X

Hellma said...

Thanks for the tut, i tried these when you done the demo with no luck,LOL, had great big spaces in them guess i will try again.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sue, I have seen you making a rose on C & C, but it is great having the step by step instructions that we can refer back to again and again. Thank you for taking the time and trouble of showing us all. All the best Suzie B x

Patricia said...

Good Morning Sue you are a "Star" Thank you putting up that tutorial off to have a go.
If mine look anything like yours I will be a very Happy Bunny.

Patricia xx

Ger said...

Thankyou Sue, these flowers are so pretty! Ger x.

Lynnus said...

Hi Sue,
thanks for the this - I am sure we will all have roses on our next cards now with your help. Thanks for all your help and inspiration, you are fab x

Unknown said...

Mine didn't turn out looking as good as that! Will have to practice. Love, Julia xxx

sheila said...

Great tutorial, must try these...they look lovely.x

Kim said...

Morning Sue
Thanks for the great tutorial. I'll be atempting to make a couple of these for a valentines card that my son has asked me to make for his girlfriend. Hope you are having a lovely time with your family. Looking forward to your shows in Feb.
love Kim x

Hope and Chances said...

Great tutorial, thanks Sue xx

Uta said...

Thank you for your great flower tutorial.

Hugs, Uta

jan said...

Hi Sue, thanks for sharing your expertise with us, will definately be giving this a go.
love jan x

Jan.moogie said...

Thank you so much for this tutorial Sue, its amazing and I will have a go as I love these flowers.lolx

nattyboots said...

Thank you for this Sue, i will be having a go later, I do think flowers and ribbon put the icing on the cake . Elaine H

Sandra F said...

Thanks for the tutorial Sue. Will definately have to try it soon

Linda said...

Good Morning Sue, I saw you do this on c&c, but forgot all about it. Now I will have to have a go at this, thanks for the tut. Linda x

baconbits said...

Good Morning Sue, thanks for the super tutorial,with easy step by step pictures to follow. Cannot wait to get home from work to give this a go.
TFS
Hugs
Amanda x

Unknown said...

Thanks for this great tutorial!
Beautiful flower.

Anonymous said...

Love it im going now to go and have a go lol
Hugs
Alison Glover x

JULIEMCRANE said...

Hi Sue

I just love this flowers. You are so clever. I would love one of these as a brooch.

julie x

jean.phillips1 said...

Good morning Sue, I had a go at making a flower like this yesterday! I remembered seeing you do it once on TV, didn't get it quite right but it looked ok. x

Dianeandchipps said...

Morning Sue, Thank you so much for the tutorial, can't wait to try it. Diane xx

bhavana said...

Thank you so much for posting the tutorial, I have been thinking of this for a couple of days lying in bed, thinking must try it sometime this week! Well thanks for sharing, I WILL be attempting to make one this week!

Clai01 said...

I imagine practice makes perfect , thanks for the tutorial!

Maggie said...

Ooooooo Sue this is a fab tuturial will be trying this later, have had a play before after seeing the c&c show but never got the results you do with your flowers mine always look a little tooooo shabby lol!

Thanks for sharing

Maggie

Sue Yorkshire said...

Thanks for the tutorial Sue The ribbons make beautiful roses I must have a go at these

Sue xxx

Alyx said...

Wow! Thanks for that Sue. It's a great tutorial ending in a beautiful flower. Will give it a go late on.
xx

Bee and Dee said...

Thank you for the tutorial it's great. Hugs Bee

dutchess said...

thank you so much sue now i know what i was doing wrong!!!!!i am going to try with a bit of organza not long now to CHA oh how I wish i was there!!!!!! take care Margaret

AnneRD said...

Thanks Sue for a very clear demo. Another new challenge! Anne x

Lorraine H said...

Thank you for this tutorial Sue. The flowers are really lovely and do look fairly easy to make. Lorraine x

nzillingworth said...

Hi Sue
always start the day with a go at your blog. Today no exception. It came out quite well. So started my mothers day card (mum loves roses). As a finishing touch i added perfume to the rose. Another Sue Wilson perfected technique. Thank you
Born again spellbinder
Nadine
nzillingworth@hotmail.com

Sandra Riley... said...

Thank you, thank you,thank you!!
Very easy to follow Sue, well worth the wait!
Many thanks Sue, what woukd we do without you?!!
Hope you are well and enjoying your break!
Huge hugs
Sandra Riley

Lydia Jordan said...

Morning Sue.
Great tutorial good step by step instructions thank you.

Mind you I don,t think mine will be as good but I'll keep trying.
Lydia
XX

Anonymous said...

Thank you Sue, ive learned a couple of reasons why mine havent always turned out well Helen O xxx

Anonymous said...

Thank you sue for taking the time to do the tutorial for everybody
Heather x

Jenny L said...

Hi Sue, well what can I say that the others haven't said. Thank you doesn't seem enough for your inspirational tutorial on the roses. Will be trying this soon. It is very kind of you to take the time to show us how, when your with your family.
Lots of love. Jenny L

Clare Powell said...

Great tutorial thanks for explaining how to make the flowers. I'm going to have a try of doing one.

Clare x

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, Your tutorial is wonderful. It is very clearly written & beautifully photographed, with amazing close-ups. Your French manicure makes it look so professional. Do you ever write for any Craft magazines? You're a natural.
Thankful for all the effort you put in to making this a great blog. I hope you're managing to fit in some rest & relaxation too. With Love & Light Theresa. H

Oksana said...

Wow, lovely. Will have to try this technique later!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing such a nice tutorial about flower making.We must try it.Keep it up.

Wholesale Flowers

Victoria said...

Thanks for sharing your tutorial on how to do these gorgeous flowers!

lilygee said...

Hello Sue and blogger friends - hope you are all well. Thank you Sue for taking the time and trouble to do the tutorial - the instructions are very clear and I will definitely have a go at making them.
lots of love lilygee xxx

fluffycat said...

Hello Sue, thank you so much for the promised tutorial. I now have some of the red line tape so will be trying to make a bunch roses following your instructions.
Frances

Knerten said...

This is lovely, Sue, thanks for sharing :-)

marg said...

Hello Sue
Thank you ....now as its dark and raining here I will have an excuse to get my ribbons out. I don't think they will be as good as yours.
love marg

melanie said...

Thanks for the tutorial your a legend .Melanie

Hanneke said...

What a lovely tutorial! The flower looks so pretty and this is a great way to use some ribbon that's not being used. Thanks! Hugs, Hanneke

Olga said...

Mmmm..thank Sue for teh tutorial. We'll try it today.

Fiona said...

Great stuff, many thanks!

Carolyn said...

Hi Sue,Thanks for the tutorial,what a fab ribbon rose.Will be trying to make some of these,hope mine turn out like yours x
Carolyn-Wales

Carolyn said...

Hi Sue,thanks for the tutorial.The ribbon rose is just fab.Cant wait to give it a try,hope mine look as good as yours x
Carolyn from Wales

Debbie Tinks said...

SUE THANKS FOR SHOWING THIS

Chloe's Nan said...

Thank you Sue for the great tutorial, must give this a go xx

Marie-Louise said...

Thank you for the tutorial. Must givre thid a try.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, Thanks for the tutorial i can now give the roses a go. Yvonne xx

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Thank you for your tutorial can't wait to try this beautiful flower x just received your DVD this morning so very excited to get going on my card making hobby x

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue
WOW well done on this tutorial very WOW just look at the end result, what a wonderful flower.
Many thanks for doing all this hard work so that we can try and craft as wonderfully as you.
Ria

elkeartsandcrafts said...

Good tutorial, Sue. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. I look forward to your next show on C&C, and hope they give you time for lots of demos.
Elaine J

Cazann49 said...

Thanks Sue, I saw you on Cr&Craft making the flowers and tried to make them..they were ok but some did unravel. I must have the wrong DST so will invest in some stronger strength, the red ones..:)Happy crafting...xx

Cazann49 said...

Thanks Sue, I saw you on Cr&Craft making the flowers and tried to make them..they were ok but some did unravel. I must have the wrong DST so will invest in some stronger strength, the red ones..:)Happy crafting...xx

Anonymous said...

Thanks Sue, will add it to my list of tries

She x

Anonymous said...

Thank Sue, can't wait to give it a go. x x Craftylicious

Craftychris said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I am looking forward to having a go! xx

lorraine (classylady) said...

thanks sue very clear tutorial. I have to say even when you did it on C & C you made it look so easy. I tried it with both wide ribbon folded and stuck down twice and narrow ribbon and both turned out great. Not as good as yours but good enough to go on my cards. more tips and hints pleeeeze....

lorraine

Sue J said...

Thank you so much for your tutorial. I am definitely going to have a go at working these as I have miles of ribbon laying in several boxes. :)

Janet said...

excellent - I'm gonna spend the next hour or so playing with bits of ribbon!!! Thanks so much Sue.

Ann said...

Fantastic can't wait to give this a try- really good clear instructions and photos. Thank you very much Sue

Lizzie said...

Hi Sue
THANK YOU for the tutorial I've seen you do this on cc but this is much better x
Lizzie (Serial copycat) xx

eileen.fj said...

Hi Sue
Very clear tutorial-have tried this with the crochet ribbon-looks lovely.
Eileen x

CraftyJo said...

Great tutorial, seeing all the photos makes it look very easy to follow .... I'll let you know! ;)

Claveh said...

Oh that is brilliant Sue, and in really fine detail, thanks!

Claire said...

Thank you

Claire

Ita said...

Hi Sue thanks for the step by step ,i will have to try it ,and i hope it will look like yours
Ita

yorkielass said...

Hello Sue, Thank you so much for the tutorial, I will be giving it a go, if mine look half as good as your I will be happy, fingers crossed.
Hugs, June x

Rocky said...

Thanks Sue, that's great. Off to raid the ribbon box now!

lockedinmycraftroom said...

Thanks for the tutorial Sue, will have a go when I get home tonight.
Chris

Lesley said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial. Hopefully I will achieve the same results????? Yeah!!!!
You are one amazing lady, thank you for sharing your talent.

Lesley x

loftylass said...

Excellent tutorial Sue - thanks for taking the time to do this for us.
Hugs
Heather
x

Maria's Paper Thoughts said...

Good morning Sue, lovely tutorial, easy to follow.
MariaS

Sandy Palmer said...

Wow, I love how your flower turned out! It is simply gorgeous! Thanks for the tip!
Hugs,
Sandy.

Anonymous said...

Thanks sue, have had a go previously from just watching you. I think I can improve on the finished result now.

Edwina

Maryann Laursen said...

Thanks so much for this awesome tutorial here. I´m looking forward to get to try this one soon. It looks really great.

Vie Carter said...

Good tips - thanks

Vie
x

Tracy Heaton said...

Fab tutorial. The roses always look lovely

Tracy x

mgq said...

your tutorial is so clear. thank you. marie

gwen70 said...

Thanks Sue for the tutorial can't wait to try it

Sue Parish said...

Hi Sue, Many many thanks for the brilliant tutorial. Firstly because the measurements are in inches (the only measurement I really understand at 66 years old!) and second because it's photo'd from the side that I'll see when I'm doing it! - I've watched you making these on tv and at the shows but in each case that means I've been facing you, so not seeing it in the same way. Looking forward to trying it - and I think I'll print it out to remind me too. Hope your visit to the states is still going well and looking forward to your return, Sue x

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great tutorial Sue i'm off to practise wish me luck !!! lol hugsss xxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue,
Lovely little rose, photo's good, shows us exactly what to do, going to practice tonight.
Best Wishes
Happy2craft

SusanneJ said...

Love this tutorial Sue thank you so much!! cant wait to have a go!!
hugss xxx

kasugga said...

Good afternoon Sue.
Thanks for the tutorial, now all I need to do is to print it off and sit at my table and practise, practise, practise.
At some point in 2013 mine will be nearly as good as yours.
love and hugs
Katy
Sunderland

Shelley said...

Thank you Sue, looks beautiful. x

craftycarol said...

hi Sue,
I saw you on C&C making these flowers and I have made lots of the for my cards, Everybody say they are lovely so thanks for your tutorial.
Carol x

PaulineC said...

Thanks so much Sue for the great tutorial.

Rhonda Miller said...

The flower is so pretty. Thanks for the tutorial.

Lisa Minckler said...

Fabulous idea!!! How simple and functional and wonderful outcome. Thank you SO much for sharing this. :)

Hugs,
Lisa xx

Vicki Sharkey said...

You make it look so easy!!! They look delightful and great on your cards. Thanks so much for the tutorial, well definitely have to have a go.
Vicki

Vicki Sharkey said...

Wow, you make it look so easy Sue. The flowers are delightful and look great on your cards. Thanks for the tutorial, will definitley have to have a go.
Vicki :)

jemet said...

Hi Sue

WOW thanks for this great tutorial finished flower looks fantastic, will definately be giving this a go.

Jean

KimberleyG said...

Looks easy enough.

Redanne said...

A great tutorial Sue, with a beautiful result - thanks so much. Anne Rx

ang said...

gorgeous, well explained will have a go angxx

Crafty Loops said...

Sue this is a fabulous tutorial. Thank you so much for taking the time to do it, I know your time is precious. Lee x

Linda kemp said...

Love it, love it, love it. Can you do a tutorial on the beautiful bows you put on your cards as well. I would like to know where you get the vintage ribbon from as well if you have the time.

Thank you

Linda Kemp

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tutorial Sue. Can't wait to have a go.

Carol at Henlow

Sue H said...

Hi Sue
Thank you for a very easy to follow tutorial, I love making flowers for my cards, so this will give me another type to make :D
Sue H. xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue thanks for the tutorial, very clear and precise instructions, hopefully I can achieve the same effect LOL
JanN xx

Anonymous said...

yay!! great tutorial Sue thanks for sharing, hope you are having a good time in the States.

Millie xx

KardKraftz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KardKraftz said...

Absolutely brilliant tutorial Sue. Love watching you on C&C. I just hope mine look like flowers when I've finished them! Guess I'll have to keep practising.

Jane said...

Watch you make the flowers on C&C there beautiful you save me loads of money don't have to buy flowers any more can make my own.

Jane xx

sheila said...

Thanks Sue for a very clear pictorial and word demo. I bet there are quite a few 'AAAAHH's 'so thayt's what I've been doing wrong' going on as your bloggers read this and a little light gets switched on in their heads as it did in mine.

Maid of J said...

Thank you for your very informative tutorial Sue, now l have these instructions l might be able to make roses that look half decent. Lol Ann

sandy's crafty bits said...

wow super tutorial love your flowers ... well done and happy crafting love sandy xx

Lorraine said...

WOW HOW CLEVER THANKS FOR THE TIPS sUE HUNI XX

veronica said...

thanks Sue, brilliant way to use up the bits of ribbon lying around in my drawer!

miislucky said...

Hi Sue! Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been trying to make my own flowers from ribbon and I just love the way you make yours. Mimi

Mandy Makes and Mends said...

Hi sue thanks for the tut ....just fab ....will not need to buy them anymore ......=more money to spend on other bits ! Will have to practice though I think x

CathyinMN said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial on making ribbon roses! I will definitely have to give this a try. I hope it doesn't take too many tries before I get one good enough to use on a card.

Tina said...

Wow Sue, i just love the beautiful simplicity of your designs, and this ribbon flower is no exception. I have been out of action with a very poorly dog which caused me to get ill too, but, i have kept on watching you on create and craft and couldn't resist buying just a few of the spellbinder sets, including the gorgeous edges set... hubby got the the big pink machine for my birthday... hopefully 2012 will bring me back to my workroom.... My favourite design of yours was the green black and white crisscross design you re-created on create and craft... quite simply stunning....Looking forward to seeing your new creations this year.. Crafty Hugs Tina ooo

Trulyblessed said...

Result Very effective. Love it.

Lesley Lendon said...

Great to see the tutorial so clearly.
You craft mat is no worse than mine!!! x

Barbara said...

Excellent tutorial Sue! Easy to understand and great photos.

PlumTuckered's Paper Plays said...

Thank you for the Tut Sue! I'm going to give this a try, your ribbon flower is so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this very interesting tutorial! I will have to try this out!
Love Pearl x

Unknown said...

Cool a demo, thax Sue xx PS any chance of more fab demos like this??

Luanne said...

lovely tutorial. thanks for sharing Sue

May said...

Fantastic tutorial Sue will be trying this out soon, lets hope they turn out like yours, thanks for sharing,Hugs May x x x

Lynne M said...

Hi Sue, thank you so much for sharing this technique. Will definitely give it a go. Fingers crossed the flowers come out as well as yours. LOL Lynne M

Ruthie said...

Thanks Sue really useful info

julie laz said...

Glad you are enjoying your time with your Mom,,love this card sue, hows the weather over there,thanks for the rose your the best keep them coming sue,, big hugs julie xx
julielazenby@ymail.com

Janet Rahman said...

Gorgeous end result Sue, hope mine looks as good when I try it out for my hubby's valentine card.

Eileen said...

Hello Sue/everyone. Thank you for your really simple instructions - I will definately try this out.
hugs Eileen (Edinburgh)

Dawn Ruth said...

Well I am very impressed it all looks so easy. (Ha Ha) And I agree with Sonia mine will never look that good but I will give it a wirl

Unknown said...

Thank you for visiting my blog on the WOYWW this week. Love this ribbon flower idea - have to try it! You asked if I have tried using tissue paper to make my flowers. I have not, but what a good idea. Will have to try that out soon :)
Celestial Things

gwendraeth said...

Great tutorial and one to try,thanks
Gwenda

Pauline said...

Loving this tutorial , you are so clever . Thanks for sharing xxx

Frosty 55 said...

You make the flowers look so easy but beautiful results Thankyou

rachel said...

wow that's stunning - must have a go!

jane stillman said...

Afternoon Sue, thank you so much for the tutorial,I don't think mine will look anything like yours, but will definitely be having a go xx

Anonymous said...

Many thank's for tutorial ! Can't wait to have a go later on . Everything you make is fab plus you make it look so easy