How to Make Ribbon Roses

Have you ever wanted to make one of those gorgeous ribbon roses you've seen all over Pinterest?

So did I! I wanted to include ridiculously large ribbon roses in the craft kits I was selling on Etsy and in the classes I was teaching for other crafters. Go big or go home, right?!

Note: This post includes links to affiliate products for which I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase.

Buying Ribbon Roses

I knew I could find ribbon roses in bulk at my go-to wholesale suppliers in the garment district downtown Los Angeles.

My jaw dropped when my suppliers told me the price for one gross (144 pieces) of roses:

• they were made with cheap ribbon
• in ugly colors
• mis-shapen from shipping!

Ew!

There had to be a better way to:

• make beautiful ribbon roses
• in colors to match any project
• from the quality luxurious ribbons I wanted

Ribbon Rose Tutorials Online … Are Terrible!

The problem was ribbon roses look difficult to make. And I didn't know how to make flowers with ribbon.

I wondered:

• Did they need to be sewn?
• Are ribbon roses glued together?
• Could I use hot glue without getting glue blobs everywhere? Or without the glue seeping through the ribbon and looking ugly on the front of the flower?

Most Online Tutorials for Ribbon Roses Are Complicated

I searched online and found that most ribbon rose tutorials required sewing, cutting, and piecing together lots of little bits. You’ve likely found the same tutorials … that’s why you’re here now.

Isn’t there a way to make ribbon roses:

• Without cutting
• Without sewing
• Without complicated patterns or measurements?

Yes, the solution is here!

I Discovered the Easy Way to Make Ribbon Roses Fast & Cheap!

Once I figured out how to make handmade roses with ribbon I had to share.

 Use my surprisingly easy method for creating twisted roses using ribbon:

• in any size
• from any ribbon
• in any quantity you want

And without cutting, measuring, following patterns, or sewing!

Once you make your first ribbon-formed rose, you’ll be hooked by how deceptively quick and easy they are to make.

You’ll want to make ribbons roses for every

• craft project
• home decor idea
• party decoration

Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

What can ribbon roses be used to make?

I love ribbon roses for scrapbooking projects and home décor. The way you plan to use the roses will determine how to construct them.

The glued roses I share here in this post are great for projects that won’t be washed or worn, such as home décor and crafts.

If you want to use the roses for clothing, pillows, or other washable projects, stitch the rose to secure rather than glue it (I’ll explain how to do this later).

Here’s a list of ways to use ribbon roses:

• Bouquets for weddings, etc
• Home décor including wreaths, boughs, and garlands
• Hair pins
• Hats or hat pins
• Shoe clips
• Clothing accessories
• Craft projects
• Table scatter or party décor
• Anything you can dream of!

A few years ago I created this set of candle wraps using ribbon roses made from fabric ribbon – they make a great wedding centerpiece or can be used as home decor.

Which ribbon is the best for making ribbon roses?

Ribbon roses are typically made from:

• Grosgrain ribbon (including patterned grosgrain)
• Satin ribbon
• Fabric ribbon

Pro tip: if using patterned ribbon, choose ribbon with a pattern on both sides so the rose has pattern across the entire piece.

Which ribbon is not recommended for making craft flowers?

• Silk ribbon
• Thin Ribbon
• Wire Ribbon
• Plastic Ribbon
• Polyester Ribbon

Avoid Silk Ribbon for Flower Making

Silk ribbon is extremely soft, lacking the body to hold a rose shape without stitching or other reinforcements. Glue will seep through the silk fabric, showing on the front of the rose.

Due to the length of ribbon needed to make one rose, silk ribbon roses can cost upwards of $10 per rose to make, depending on the quality of silk ribbon.

Other ribbon types to avoid when making ribbon roses:

• Thin ribbon of 0.5″ width or less is too thin to create a sizeable rose
• Wired ribbon can crimp at the edges and look unnatural
• Plastic or polyester ribbon can melt when gluing or may crease, looking inorganic
• Printed ribbon will show both the pattern and non-printed sides of the ribbon on the finished rose

How much ribbon is needed to make one ribbon rose?

Each ribbon rose is made with 1-2 yards of ribbon.

The wider the ribbon, the longer the length needed to create the rose. Fuller roses or tightly twisted roses also require more ribbon:

Like these flowers? Use the same ribbon to make these: Ribbon Posies

Choosing ribbon for ribbon roses

First, choose a size for the finished ribbon rose.

Generally the ribbon width will yield a ribbon rose twice as wide. For example, a 1.25″ wide ribbon will make a 2.5″ wide ribbon rose.

Next, decide the feel or texture of the rose:

• For stiff roses, choose grosgrain ribbon
• For shiny roses, choose satin ribbon
• For soft roses, choose fabric or satin ribbon

Frequently asked questions about making roses with ribbon

Q: Can I use wired ribbon to make roses?

Wired ribbon will kink on the edges as it's handled, resulting in an unnatural look. Remove the wire before using the ribbon to make roses.

Q: Can I use the ribbon for another project once I'm done with the rose?

Since the rose is glued to hold the petals together, the ribbon cannot be used for other projects.

Q: What if I want to use the roses on clothing – can I use something beside hot glue to make these?

Yes, you can stitch the bottom of the rose together, folding as you go. I recommend this Martha Stewart tutorial on how to sew ribbon roses.

Q: Can I make the same roses from paper?

Yes, you can use crepe paper streamers to make these roses with the tutorial below. Check out these other crepe paper flower tutorials: 3 DIY Crepe Paper Flowers

Q: Can I use patterned ribbon to make ribbon roses?

Yes, you can use patterned ribbon to make ribbon roses. Most patterned ribbon is printed only one side so the rose will have some petals with the pattern and other petals that show the back of the pattern, like this:

Now you're ready to make DIY roses with ribbon!

Gather supplies:

• Scissors
• Hot glue gun with hot glue sticks (I like this one that shuts off automatically best!)
• Hot glue finger protectors (optional – these are great!)
• Ribbon

Step 1: Choose your ribbon:

• Solid color
• Satin, grosgrain, or fabric
• 1″ or wider
• At least 1 yard long

Step 2: Start the rose

Fold one end of the ribbon down over itself at a 60 degree angle and hot glue into place. Roll 3-4 times to form a tube and secure with a bead of glue.

Use the hot glue finger protectors to protect your fingers from glue gun burns while making these roses.

Step 3: Form the petals

Holding the tube in your left hand with the length of ribbon extended out to the right, turn the ribbon over away from the tube and wrap around the tube half a turn.

Secure with a bead of hot glue.

Repeat and continue folding away from the center, wrapping, and gluing until a rose forms.

Step 4: Secure the end

When the rose is formed, cut away any excess ribbon, leaving about 1″. Fold under the rose and secure to the back with a bead of hot glue.

Step-by-Step Video Tutorial for Ribbon Flowers

Watch this video to see the full process in action, step by step: How to Make a Ribbon Rose Video

Soon you’ll have a huge pile of roses made from ribbon!

What Will You Make with Your Handmade Roses?

For more flower making tutorials, follow my Flower Tutorials Board on Pinterest!