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The best way is to have really sharp scissors. Sometimes a better quality of scissors makes a lot of difference too. I found a sharpener at wally's for about $8.00 that I'm adding to my Christmas list!
We just had a crafting event at our church and were cutting ribbon. One of the ladies said...oh, use the red scissors...they are made for fabric/ribbon and that's all they are used for.
I've tried to have a separate pair but usually someone will "borrow" them and cut cardboard or something! Ugghh!!
This will probably sound insane, I hold my ribbon in one hand with a pair of tweezers and I have a lighter (the long ones, like used to light candles) with a flame in the other. Then I put the ribbon next to the flame (not touching) and the heat from the flame melts the end of the ribbon (like the finished end when you open a new spool). It does take a little practice, but I find it works best for me.
SHARP scissors are a must! After that; something like Fray Check will work. You can also use just a small dab of Elmer's Glue. You might want to test a scrap of ribbon first to see if it leaves the end "darker" when it dries. If you are very careful and just dab it on right on the end; it shouldn't show though.
Awesome!! Thank you ladies. I will definately get new scissors. I will also try the angle cut, frey check, glue, the lighter idea...well now that one I will have to think about. lol with my luck "poof" there goes my ribbon. lol....I will try all of your ideas...but for sure will get new scissors. Thank you again ladies.
I'm with monicas silcott on this one. I keep a long lighter on my craft table and melt the cut end of my ribbon together. I don't bother with the tweezers though. In the 10 years I've been doing this, I haven't burned myself.
I've never noticed an odor. I guess because you are not setting the ribbon on fire, you are just melting the end with the heat from the flame (rarely does the ribbon touch the flame). Plus, the whole process is quick (honestly, it takes me longer to get the lighter to work).
Sometimes there may be a brief smell from certain types of ribbon, but it's gone in a second. I've been burning the ends of my ribbon with a lighter since I started cardmaking. I tried everything else, but glues/fray check take too long to dry and I always seemed to get a bit on the card after it was all done. With the lighter, you just run the flame briefly along the edges of the cut ribbon (and yes sharp scissors are a must!) and it's cool and fray proof in seconds! Keep in mind though, MOST ribbons will melt instead of catching fire, but there are a few kinds of ribbon that will go up in flames immediately! Grosgrain, cotton and poly twill, satin, and maybe a few others I can't think of right now work GREAT with the lighter. Others such as tafetta, organza, sheer ribbons do not. If I'm working with a new kind of ribbon, I always cut a small piece and apply the flame to it over a sink. HTH!
I don't think a heat gun would work. I also use a lighter when needed; just barely touch the edge of the ribbon to the flame. But I also use really sharp scissors and cut the ribbon at an angle, so I hardly ever have to use the lighter.
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Fray Check for me......I'm afraid I'd set my basement on fire. It works great, it's like very thin clear nail polish. I have "fabric only" scissors, I cut on an angle, but some ribbons, especially the sheer ones, fray anyway. It's so easy, you just need a little bit, and a little time for it to dry.
Oh my gosh, love that idea. I am going to do that. My DH will grab the first pair he sees. So far, I have managed to keep him away from my fabric scissors. But this might make him ask why the ribbon is on there before grabbing them. Thanks for the idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ
Another thing I do is tie bright ribbon to the handle of my fabric-only scissors. Everyone in my house knows to stay away from them, lol!
Ribbon only scissors will make a big difference! A decent pair should last for a long time. I also use fray check on the ends. It does take a bit to dry and if you are making a card to send out immediately then you might not want to use it but I use a little on the ends, smoosh it between my fingers to get out excess and then let it dry for a bit and its good to go. Sometimes a lighter leaves a hard, burnt type edge on certain ribbons but not always.
I've been making lots of corker bows and other hair ribbons to sell at my kids' school. Since I'm lighter-challenged, I touch the end of the ribbon to my heated hot knife.
Heated hot knife? Can you explain what that is? I am picturing a knife being held over a flame.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubbernecker
I've been making lots of corker bows and other hair ribbons to sell at my kids' school. Since I'm lighter-challenged, I touch the end of the ribbon to my heated hot knife.
I bought a hot knife because I heard it was good for cutting out rubber if you're unmounting. I haven't tried that but it does come in handy for the ribbon. I found this one at Michaels.
I bought a hot knife because I heard it was good for cutting out rubber if you're unmounting. I haven't tried that but it does come in handy for the ribbon. I found this one at Michaels.
Shaz, I have tried that inverted V but it never comes out looking right. I have been cutting on an angle however depending on the ribbon that doesn't always work therefore out comes the candlelighter. Hehe I didn't set my stamping room on fire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazsilverwolf
Clear nail polish will also work, but usually as long as I cut at an angle, or in an inverted 'V', I don't find it frays.
Fray Check for me......I'm afraid I'd set my basement on fire. It works great, it's like very thin clear nail polish. I have "fabric only" scissors, I cut on an angle, but some ribbons, especially the sheer ones, fray anyway. It's so easy, you just need a little bit, and a little time for it to dry.
Can you please tell me who makes Fray Check and where you buy it from? I've never heard of it. Thank you.
If you want to add a little bling to your card and ribbon....I have used a thin line of Stickles on the end of my ribbons. Probably the same effect as glue/fray stuff, but much prettier!! ;)
Hi again, regards the inverted 'V', my Mom used to do it for my hair ribbons when I was a child. She always folded her ribbon in half lengthways, then cut from the outside edge towards the middle, if that helps.
Ahhh now how easy is that? lol thank you so much. One would think I would have figured that out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazsilverwolf
Hi again, regards the inverted 'V', my Mom used to do it for my hair ribbons when I was a child. She always folded her ribbon in half lengthways, then cut from the outside edge towards the middle, if that helps.
If you want to add a little bling to your card and ribbon....I have used a thin line of Stickles on the end of my ribbons. Probably the same effect as glue/fray stuff, but much prettier!! ;)
Excellent idea ... and who wouldn't love more bling?
This will probably sound insane, I hold my ribbon in one hand with a pair of tweezers and I have a lighter (the long ones, like used to light candles) with a flame in the other.
How funny, I used to do that with the kids shoelaces when they were little. And on sweatshirt ties too!! I never thought of doing it to ribbon ;)
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Shaz, I have tried that inverted V but it never comes out looking right. I have been cutting on an angle however depending on the ribbon that doesn't always work therefore out comes the candlelighter. Hehe I didn't set my stamping room on fire.
If you want to do the inverted V with an even look, fold the ribbon in half so the sides line up and cut from the fold (about a half inch or so up from the end) at an angle to the end. When opened, the two sides of the V are exactly alike.
Trouble w/ ribbon fraying
