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I'm having a hard time embracing this type of addition to my cards. Ribbons, bows and knots look great on cards but I often don't envision a good spot to put them. Also, I wonder how some of the larger ones don't get flattened or warped once in envelopes.
So, can anyone point me to some tutorials or charts of different styles of ribbons, bows and knots? And maybe a chart that explains types of ribbon work best with particular styles?
I can do a basic "bunny ear" bow by tying the two loops together and I've seen a nice tutorial for making an elaborate bow with a fork. I guess I mostly need some inspiration. That's my challenge to myself - to use more ribbon on my cards!
I could use help with this, too. I generally don't use ribbons unless they are just wrapped around the card and no bows made. I don't want to incur more postage by adding chunky bows.
I use ribbons a lot on my cards, but don't often make the "loopy" bows unless I intend to hand the card to someone, like at a birthday party or event.
Here is a card I made recently with ribbon across the bottom, attached with my ATG. Then I made a "flat" bow separately, and attached it with a glue dot. I then attached the little tag with a tiny safety pin. I mailed this card, and put a piece of cardstock over the front before I put it in the envie. Flat bows like this usually arrive in good shape.
I use a lot of big bows on my cards, my tool of choice is the Bow Easy. The way I store, and send these cards are in those clear boxes. Here is a link to the clear boxes. And the bow easy. These are a lot of tutorials for the bow easy on youtube.
I add ribbon by:
- punching a small hole or using the small window punch (hope that's the right name) and tie a simple knot.
- putting one piece on flat.
- Add a second or third piece on a flat piece to make a multi colored bow.
- Use ribbon as your design
- Make a bow and then attach it via glue dot
- don't tie a knot before you make a bow. Just make the ribbon into the bow as if the knot was in the middle. This saves ribbon and bulk.
- use ribbon as your border (top under cardstock) by using scrap pieces
- make a ribbon tab
This is the result when you do a search for *ribbon* in the Techniques section. If you have time to follow them up I've found some great links and tutorials in there over the years. Splitcoaststampers - Search Results
As for placement: there are no rules! You have to look at your card, hold the ribbon in different places etc... I like to put ribbon along seams of different papers or on top of a border punch or something. Sometimes it looks good smack-dab in the middle!! Try copying ribbon looks you like. I love using ribbon and here are 3 examples of what I spoke about previously!
__________________
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I design for: Stampendous!, There She Goes, Technique Tuesday,
SRM Stickers and Deconstructed Sketches.
As for placement: there are no rules! You have to look at your card, hold the ribbon in different places etc... I like to put ribbon along seams of different papers or on top of a border punch or something. Sometimes it looks good smack-dab in the middle!! Try copying ribbon looks you like. I love using ribbon and here are 3 examples of what I spoke about previously!
Your cards are just Beautiful! I love all three and can't pick a favorite.
And thanks for the video link. It was great.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
As for placement: there are no rules! You have to look at your card, hold the ribbon in different places etc... I like to put ribbon along seams of different papers or on top of a border punch or something. Sometimes it looks good smack-dab in the middle!! Try copying ribbon looks you like. I love using ribbon and here are 3 examples of what I spoke about previously!
That was an awesome link ... and your work is beautiful.
I use a lot of bows and ribbon. Anytime you see a line or border on a sketch, think about replacing or covering it with a ribbon and a bow. Like where 2 patterned papers or layers meet or in place of scallops or a punched edge. Works most of the time.
If a panel on a sketch is too long or wide for the stamp you want to use, add a ribbon around the panel to use up the extra space. Take a square sketch and stretch it into a rectangle adding ribbon in the extra space. Or vice versa.
Any sketch with a accent or shape like a flower or button, substitute a loopy bow. Under a sentiment panel, place ribbon pleating it a few times out to each side or up and down. Does a tail from a bow cover too much of your focal image? make a bow but then pull on one loop bring the tail through the knot so you have only one tail.
If a ribbon is thick, don't try to tie it in a traditional bow. The center knot won't tie tight and IMHO that doesn't look right. Thicker ribbon also doesn't like to fold over under panels to hide the ends. Try cutting at an angle or pinking the ends and let the ends show making them part of your design. Save heavier grosgrain and similar for tailored bows like the ones shown here. Eclectic Endeavours: I Promised You This ~ Flat Bow Tutorial
Another thing that doesn't look right to my eye is a bow placed over a ribbon laid flat on a card. I understand that it is easier and often uses less ribbon to do it this way vs bringing a ribbon around the panel and tying then ends into a bow. Problem is, it is obvious you did it that way because the ribbon underneath isn't bunched in the middle. To fix this, tie a thin, same coloured ribbon around the base ribbon to bunch it before gluing on your bow. Or wrap with thin wire or thread.
For really nice traditional bows, I use seam binding ribbon, most sheers (a few are quite stiff but most are good), silk, satin and very thin grosgrain. For loopy bows, I prefer silk or seam binding. I don't prefer my bow easy for multiloop bows unless the ribbon is very thin or else I find I can't fan out the loops, they stay all bunched up. The smaller the knot the ribbon makes the better it works with the bow easy. I have a tutorial here. Eclectic Endeavours: Bow Easy and Tutorial Plus Bow Tying Tips
I try my best to make sure there is some contrast between my ribbon or bow and the background. I spend way too much time choosing ribbon! You can dye your ribbons with markers, airbrushing or reinkers too so while you build up a stash of colours, buy lots of white so you can dye it.
As for tying bows, I've been meaning to do a video tutorial for ages. You know how sometimes your now rotates to the left or right rather than straight? I figured out how and why it does that. I just have to remind myself and do the tutorial!
Wheni make bows, I use a general rule that makes the bows look right. I like the loops to be approximately 1.5x as long as the ribbon is wide. No more than 2x unless you are doing a multi looper or adding a bellie on top. Then I make the tails 2-2.5x as long as the ribbon is wide. A bow with shorter tails looks cuter in case you are doing something whimsical or for babies or kids. If you took 100 cards with traditional bows, you'd find the ones that 'look right', most of them, would fit or be close to these parameters. We don't even think about it, we just do it. I am mathematical so I just put numbers to it.
Some other cool ribbon uses: Thread a border with holes (or punch them). Thread buttons with thin ribbon or silk. With silk doesn't have to be as thin to fit and it puffs up again after being pulled through. Punch a partial hole in a panel at the edge, run ribbon under the panel and tie right in the notch created by the punch. http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.c...-matchbox.html Punch holes in a sentiment panel to mimic a ribbon tag.
Most bows do fine in the mail. The only things to be worried about are the envelope ripping over the knot and the ribbon creasing. I place packing tape over the envelope and they don't rip. Most ribbon is polyester and just like clothes that look good out of the washer, they don't hold creases much if at all. You n�ed to worry more about cotton and silk. For those, I take a makeup remover pad, cut it to size, roll it and stick it in the loop. The. I add a cute message to the recipient to remove them just in case they didn't get it and think you are crazy! You can also mail this type of card in a clear card box.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
Last edited by Rebecca Ednie; 02-02-2011 at 05:11 AM..
You definitely need to check out "Becca's Bows"! Becca Feeken is my bow hero ;)
Oh my goodness, thank you!! You made my day!
If you haven't been there lately, I have a section on my blog called Becca Bows with five of my bow tutorials and have just added a new bow tutorial to the mix this week. Here's the link: Becca Bows � Amazing Paper Grace
I use a lot of bows and ribbon. Anytime you see a line or border on a sketch, think about replacing or covering it with a ribbon and a bow. Like where 2 patterned papers or layers meet or in place of scallops or a punched edge. Works most of the time.
Thanks for such a detailed post. Everyone is so helpful on SCS!
Here is one of my favorite ways to tie a ribbon. It looks nice on the inside of the card too. I use it most of the time.
This really does look nice, but seems to use a lot of ribbon. I try to get the most "milage" out of my ribbon/chord/thread as possible. Please call me frugal, not stingy!
If you haven't been there lately, I have a section on my blog called Becca Bows with five of my bow tutorials and have just added a new bow tutorial to the mix this week. Here's the link: Becca Bows � Amazing Paper Grace
Miss Becca--your are the best and I am so glad to see you here! God Bless you...your strength has so inspired me!
Becca,
This and all of your videos are awesome. Sure wish you made them in printable form so I could take them into my craft room while I work--no computer there and DH and I share. Ever think of doing such a thing??? (Hope, hope, hope!)
Help with Ribbons, Bows and Knots
