DIY - Ribbon Impressions

Ribbon Stockings DIY for the Holidays

Let’s get into some holiday spirit, and at the same time, have some fun with ribbons! Here is a fun, crafty project to make your season bright this year. All you need is some imagination and, of course, some ribbons. So, let’s get started on these fun ribbon stockings!

Badge Ribbon Stocking in royal blue, crimson red and arctic white.

Badge Ribbon Stocking in crimson red, maroon and arctic white.

Step One: Ribbons for the stockings

Yes, the first step is to make sure that you have enough ribbons. So first, determine how many stockings you are going to make. This number will help you figure out how much ribbon you need. For each stocking, we used about three feet of four different colors (12 feet total). You also need to determine which ribbon you will be using. We used leftover strips of our two inch badge ribbon material. The colors we chose are Deep Gold, Arctic White, Navy and Orange.

Step Two: Gather all of your supplies

Materials needed to make holiday ribbon stockings include badge ribbons, scissors and a sewing machine.

While ribbons are the base supply for this project, you will need several other things as well. A sewing machine is a must for this project. While you can use a needle and thread and sew these by hand, a machine will significantly speed up the process. You will also need a ruler, fabric scissors and some backing for your stockings. You can use a stocking pattern or grab some cheap felt and draw your own. We used a premade felt stocking that we picked up at a dollar store.

Step Three: Start measuring

Badge ribbons cut into three inch strips to make ribbon stockings.

This step comes in parts. First, we measured our ribbons into six inch pieces. Then we folded these pieces in half and cut them into three inch pieces. You can combine this into one step and cut them immediately into three inch pieces. But we found that by wrapping the ribbon around a six inch ruler, it saved some time.

The next part of this step is to make sure that your three inch strips have straight edges. We tried to work with the original edge but found that straight edges worked better. Yes, this process is tedious but well worth it. You can use the ribbon for accuracy, but that is not completely necessary. We mostly just eye balled it. However, the edges must be as straight as possible so that all ribbons will line up as you are sewing them together. Without being straight, the ribbons can end up either not being sewn properly or being crooked.

Step Four: Figure out your layout

The mock up for the holiday ribbon stockings before sewing pieces together.

Once you cut your ribbons into approximately three inch pieces with straight edges, define your layout and mock it up on a flat surface. Now is the time to be creative! And, laying out the ribbons before you start sewing will allow you to see which colors will be touching. Doing this will help you see and maintain your pattern.

We wanted to make sure there was a pattern for our stockings. So, we chose an alternating look so that gold would not touch gold, orange would not touch orange, etc. (Some of the finished stockings could have used a little more time during this step to make sure this happened.) Your layout will be dependent on the size of your stockings. The size we have fit 11 rows with four pieces each. Now that you have a mock up of what the finished product will look like, you can start sewing. Make sure you line up the three edges flush before starting your stitching.

Step Five: Start sewing your stockings

While sewing, it is crucial to watch which colors you are working with and go slowly. Make sure you remember which colors attach together. We used a simple, straight stitch to connect all of the pieces. You also want to make sure that the stitch is as close to the edge as possible, but keep it uniform so that your ribbons will lay flat. Then, start piecing your stocking together. Don’t worry about dangling threads as you can trim them later.

Sew together the first four ribbons and double check your pattern to make sure you did not switch anything around. Then work on your second chain checking to make sure the colors are in order. Now that you have two chains, you need to attach them. Again, make sure that your color scheme is not changing. It is important to continually watch your colors to make sure that you are not switching things around. Repeat this process until you have all of your ribbons stitched together.

Badge ribbons sewn together to make holiday ribbon stockings.

Between each finished row, lay your ribbons down as flat as possible, and double check that your pattern is correct. Keep repeating these steps until all of your ribbons are sewn together into a “quilted” look. Double check your pattern that it stayed the same as your layout! If something looks wrong, take a moment to fix it.

Step Six: The finishing touches

A felt Christmas stocking used to make ribbon stockings.

Now that you have that done, it is time to add in the rest of your stocking. You can use a pattern to form your stocking shape or use a premade piece. Again, we got our felt stocking from a dollar store. We disassembled the stocking and laid out the pieces to go with the finished ribbon pattern. Make sure to match front with front so that the right sides will show when you sew it together. You will need to make sure that all of the stocking’s edges are covered with the ribbon.

We then pinned all of the pieces together (wrong side out) before sewing to make sure that they did not slip away from the placement. Again, we used a simple, straight stitch and followed the premade stocking’s edge to get the correct shape. Once you have sewn the felt pieces to the ribbon, turn everything right side out. Double check that your shape is correct as now is the time to make any necessary adjustments.

Now that you have sewn these pieces together, you can attach the top and decide if you are including a hanger. Then we pinned the top (right sides out) of the stocking onto the ribbon portion and ran a simple, straight stitch to connect the pieces. Once this is done, double check that everything looks good, and you are done!

Congratulations, you have just completed a Christmas stocking made from badge ribbons.

Shop Blank Badge Ribbons

Blank badge ribbons, vertical and horizontal.

PRO TIP: Add a custom shaped name tag to each stocking for additional personalization!

Create a Fun Work Culture with Badge Ribbons

When it comes to creating a fun work culture for your company, custom badge ribbons are a perfect solution. They make it easy to do team building activities, recognize outstanding employees and promote your business in unique ways. Their bright colors and imprinted designs also bring a festive feel to your workplace. By using badge ribbons to create a positive environment for your employees, you retain a talented team that wants to help your company succeed.

Culture is the environment that surrounds us all the time. A workplace culture is the shared values, belief systems, attitudes and the set of assumptions that people in a workplace share…A positive workplace culture improves teamwork, raises the morale, increases productivity and efficiency and enhances retention of the workforce. Job satisfaction, collaboration and work performance are all enhanced. And most importantly, a positive workplace environment reduces stress in employees.

5 ways to create a fun work culture by using badge ribbons

Build Teamwork

A blue, custom badge ribbon used for creating a fun work culture.

When employees feel connected to their coworkers, they enjoy working with them on a regular basis. Help your team members build close relationships by encouraging them to get to know each other. Customize badge ribbons with hobbies, fun facts and personality traits. Then, have each employee wear the ribbons that describe them. You will then have a strong team that knows how to collaborate effectively to meet company goals.

The Right Attitude

Create a positive work environment by reminding employees why they love what they do. When you have them focus on the positive aspects of their jobs, they are more likely to enjoy coming to work every day. Give them badge ribbons that highlight job perks such as meeting new people, solving problems or discovering new solutions. Make sure also to include company benefits such as free lunches or extra paid time off. These ribbons will motivate your employees to take pride in their work and put in their best effort.

Crack a Joke (Seriously)

A green badge ribbons customized with a movie quote, used to create a fun work culture.

Research performed by the Harvard Business Review in 2018, shows that humor not only makes work fun, but it also increases productivity. So, give your employees something to laugh about by customizing badge ribbons with work appropriate humor. Use clever puns, dad jokes and funny pop culture references. If you and your team have inside jokes, stick them on a badge ribbon too. Wearing funny badge ribbons around the office will reduce stress levels and keep your employees smiling. The more your employees are in a good mood, the more productive they will be.

Something to Do

Help employees have fun at work by giving them a chance to promote your business in a unique way. Personalize badge ribbons to advertise a company event, product or sale. Then, have your employees display these ribbons on their name tags. Wearing promotional ribbons will make your employees feel like they are making a positive impact on your company. As you help your employees feel useful, they will enjoy working for your company.

Recognize Achievements

Create a fun work culture with a purple badge ribbon that reads, Helps kids talk back.

Even in a fun work environment, employees want to feel appreciated for their hard work. Thank each team member for their contribution by customizing badge ribbons that highlight their achievements. From perfect attendance to closing a big sale, recognizing these accomplishments increases company loyalty. It also encourages team members to congratulate each other on their accomplishments. By creating a work culture where everyone feels valued, your employees will love coming to work. You will also attract new talent as word of your positive company culture spreads.

These are only five ways to use badge ribbons to create a fun work culture, but there are many more. So, get creative and customize badge ribbons with almost any combination of text, colors and graphics. As you put these colorful ribbons to good use, you will have a talented, productive team working to make your company thrive.

Design your personalized badge ribbons now!

SHOP BADGE RIBBONS

100 Yards of Ribbon & What to Do with It All

what would you do with 100 yards of ribbon with multiple ribbon roll types

100 yards of ribbon = 300 feet = 3600 inches

Wow! That’s a lot!

If you are hosting a significant event like a national conference or a large convention, the answer to using 100 yards of ribbon is easy. However, using all of the ribbon might seem daunting if you order ribbons for a smaller occasion, such as a department party or small corporate meeting. While the ribbon will last a long time, you may not have a way to store it.

Now the question is, how do you use all 100 yards of ribbon?

We offer two different types of ribbon rolls: continuous print and favor printing. All of our rolls come with 100 yards of ribbon. So, here are some fabulous ideas for using that roll up to the last inch!

Continuous Printing

Repeated text and logos along 100 yards of ribbon roll

Imagination is the only limitation when using your logo and text imprinted in a continuous print along the entirety of 100 yards of ribbons. While the imprinting process may limit the graphic or logo and text you can use on the ribbon, the continuous printing allows for multiple uses for your ribbons.

Gift Bows, Single Use Shoelaces and Awareness Ribbons

From corporate gifting to small individual presents, bows will make any gift more personal. And with custom ribbons, this personality increases. Small bows, like a simple gift bow, typically take about 20 inches of ribbon. Large gift bows can take up to 48 inches of ribbon to make. With these calculations, your 100 yards of ribbon will make approximately 75 large bows.

Making shoelaces for a corporate event can be fun. The standard lengths vary per shoe (depending on how many eyelets the shoe has). The average length is about 60 inches, meaning you can lace nearly 30 pairs of shoes. That should be enough to outfit a small office with a fun and unique way of showing off your brand at your next corporate meeting. (Please note that if used more than once, the imprinting will start to rub off.)

Awareness ribbons are a great way to use all of that ribbon roll and are perfect for showing support or collecting donations. With continuous roll printing, you can control where the printing will occur and use the 100 yards to its best advantage. You should cut each ribbon to about nine inches for three inch awareness ribbons. This will make your roll last for about 400 ribbons! Think about all the support you can show with that many ribbons.

Favor Printing

Print text and logos so they only show on the ends of a cut strip.

This ribbon type is just as useful as continuous printing. Favor printing provides a large gap between the text and logo. They are easily tied around something but you can still see the imprinted information.

Favors, Single End Awareness Ribbons and Party Decorations

If you are giving away door prizes or gifts to every person who attends your event, these ribbons are here to do you a favor (pun intended)! Using ribbons with favor printing, you can easily tie them around goody bags and other quick gifts to give attendees. Wrap them around a bag full of candy and cut the ribbons so that only the ends show printing. This effect highlights your messaging on the ribbon ends and lets your guests quickly remember where they got the present.

Each favor printed ribbon section will vary depending on what it is tied to. On average, if you use 18 inches per ribbon you will get about 200 strips total. This includes two tails with six inches of imprint and the six inch blank space between them. While these measurements will not fit every project, you can use the approximations for many things.

organza and satin ribbon rolls tied around a candle holder for a wedding

For example, if you tie the ribbons around votive candles, you need approximately 28 inches per candle. Setting up this ribbon length should include the minimum of the blank six inches between text, up to six inches of imprinting and a small, two inch bow. This will yield about 128 candle holders.

So, when you think about it, 100 yards of ribbon is easily used for any event!

While both ribbon types can be used for party decorations, favor printing gives the finished product a cleaner look. When tying a continuous print ribbon around something, your text will show all the way around and go into the knot and bow. Favor printing gives the look of a neat, clean bow. You can trim the ribbon with the text only showing at the ends. Even if the object you are tying the ribbon around is bigger, you can manipulate it to display the text exactly where you need it.

continuous print 100 yards of ribbon rolls

BUY CONTINUOUS PRINT

BUY FAVOR PRINT RIBBONS

Note that all numbers above are approximations based on minimum printing requirements for each ribbon type.

Saying Thank You During the Holidays

Expressing appreciation and saying thank you does not have to be difficult, especially when it comes to ribbons.

How often do we take advantage of all the tools we are given? And, do we realize the importance of each of these tools?

But, here is the real question: how can you use personalized ribbons to say thank you?

Using personalized tools such as ribbons and name tags does not always need to be in a setting such as an office or store.

Custom ribbons are so much more than that!

And, to prove this, here are four fun ribbon types that let someone know just how much you care.

Rosette ribbon, custom badge ribbons and a custom top ribbon all saying thanks.

Custom Rosette Ribbons

These fancy ribbons are not just for awards, you know! Grab one today to let someone special know just how much you care about them. Add a graphic to the center button and a unique thank you message to the streamers. Customize each rosette to meet any need.

An Ideal three streamer rosette ribbon customized with a bow in the center and Thank you down the middle.

And, you don’t have to have a specific reason for giving one of these rosettes. From a simple thank you to recognizing a job well done, these ribbons are sure to please any recipient. And, with a variety of styles, colors and other customization options, you will love them too.

Custom Badge Ribbons

If you need a quick and cost effective way to say thank you, try these flat ribbons. Badge ribbons are perfect if you need a whole bunch of ribbons to express your thanks. Choose a specific color and add your custom text the will best reflect what you are thankful for. These ribbons are easy to hand out at an event or other holiday party for favors or awards. Or, give them as a bookmark or other memorabilia to take home.

Each badge ribbon is sure to grab the recipient’s attention and let them know just how much you care. And, with such a large variety of imprinting and other options, these are sure to go over well.

Custom Top Ribbons

These custom ribbons are nearly perfect for anything. But saying thank you is a great way to use them as well. With the available full color printing options, you can make these just as unique as your recipients.

Each custom top ribbon is perfect for a holiday event or party. And everyone will treasure this thoughtful way of saying thank you for a very long time!

A custom top ribbon with full color printing that says thank you for being awesome.

How else can you say thank you with ribbons?

Custom Rosette Ribbons | Custom Badge Ribbons | Custom Top Ribbons

TIP: Also check out Fun Ways to Say Thank You with Name Tags!

Grosgrain Leftovers & Ways to Use Them

Leftover ribbons are great, aren’t they? Especially when they are of the grosgrain variety. These unique ribbons are a great way to add some depth to any homemade confectionery. Due to their distinctive ribbed design, grosgrain ribbons are super fun to work with. From scrapbook page decorations to adding some character to a table runner, here are some fun and creative ways to use these textured ribbons.

Preserving Your Memories

From photo borders to pretty little flowers, grosgrain ribbons are a fun addition to any scrapbook. Line pages with these ribbons to create a bit of depth and character to your memories. Or, create little embellishments to add to each page in a memory book.

A stack of grosgrain ribbon rolls customized in different colors, logos and messages.

Other ribbon rolls are fun additions as well. Use satin ribbons for a refined touch, or use full color ribbons to remember specific details about different events. Remember to be as creative as you want when adorning your scrapbooks. Uniqueness is where it all lies.

Home, Office and Party Decor

Whether it is for use in your home or elsewhere, grosgrain ribbons are sure to add character to any event or party. Use scraps of ribbon to decorate lamps and other fixtures around each room. Small ribbon strips are perfect for hanging pictures and greeting cards. And, with the ribbed design on a grosgrain ribbon, any embellishments are sure to stand out.

use grosgrain ribbon scraps for DIY projects in your home or office

Or, spice up your office decor with ribbon flowers or other trinkets made from this fun ribbon. Add them to picture frames, mirrors and anything else your heart desires. Hang strips of ribbons leftover from fun events you have attended to remind you of the good times. Or, tape them around your computer monitor for a creative look.

Homemade Awards and Identification

Make awards using personalized ribbon rolls fashioned into a lanyard with a candy bar attached at the end for a medal. Or create a fun lanyard for your keys or a name badge with grosgrain ribbons. They provide a different look for your identification needs.

grosgrain ribbons are perfect for homemade awards and other identification needs

But, no matter how you decide to use these fun, unique ribbons, remember to keep your imagination active. Let your creativity shine with the endless possibilities of ribbon rolls!

Have you created something fun and useful with grosgrain ribbon leftovers? Let us know in the comments.