Trouble w/ ribbon fraying
 

Never tried fray check, but you could try that and see if it helps. Maybe you need sharper scissors.

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.

Hope this helps.

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.

I've found that cutting the ribbon on an angle helps too. I use a dot of Tombow glue on the ends of the ribbon sometimes.

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 do the lighter trick, I actually had to go out and buy one.

I always use sharp scissors and burn the edges quickly with a lighter, never have fray problems :)

Ok burning the ends sounds like the way to go. I will give it a try and let ya'll know how it goes. Thank you

Does burning ribbon have a bad odor?

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!

Would a heat gun work for this?

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.

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.

I put a small scrape piece of card stock behind the ribbon and use a good pair of sharp scissors .
Works great for me.

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.

Like this:

Amazon.com: Walnut Hollow Designed For Her Creative Hot-Knife: Toys & Games: Reviews, Prices & more

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.

Hope this helps.

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.

I too have been "melting" the ribbon end with a lighter since I started and it works great and fast!

Can you please tell me who makes Fray Check and where you buy it from? I've never heard of it. Thank you.

There are a couple different brands, but here's one:

Amazon.com: Dritz Fray Check- 3/4 oz.: Kitchen & Dining

I found it at JoAnns

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.

Excellent idea ... and who wouldn't love more bling?

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 ;)

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.

Joann's has it and you can use a coupon!

I bought my last bottle at Wal-mart. One bottle lasts forever, but I misplaced mine and needed some. It's not very expensive and works GREAT!