Eager to test out the ribbon-lei-making-method from Sak's mom, I enticed Sak with a box of Whoppers in order to get him to take me to Michael's for additional supplies. (I hate driving.)
This time I used a thicker, 1.5" ribbon in addition to the 50 cent 1/4" stuff.
Starting out the same way as before, I added a small bead to the bottom of my really-long-thread as an anchor. In retrospect, if one was planning on making a heavy-duty lei-to-last-a-lifetime, stronger thread (or even embroidery floss?) might work better. I have a feeling if you tugged on the lei hard enough, the thread would break and destroy all your hard work. Not that this has happened to me *yet*.
Continuing on, layer the 1/4" ribbon on top of the wider one, but keep it to one side. Then do a simple running stitch down the length, as close to the edge as possible.
You can see that when you pull the string now, it will tighten the ribbon and create...a ruffly loop!
See where this is going? Just continue stitching up...
And scrunching down...
Until your lei is long enough!
I love this style, don't you? It's a little more sophisticated than the ribbon-loop version, however it takes much, much longer. If you have a long running stitch setting on your sewing machine, it would be much faster than hand-sewing.
Breakdown:
~10 yards 1.5" ribbon = $3
~10 yards 1/4" ribbon = $0.50
total: $3.50
~10 yards 1/4" ribbon = $0.50
total: $3.50
I plan to give this lei to my cousin since he's graduating from high school in a couple weeks.
And just to show you what the first method looks like with two colors, here's another lei I made for a family friend of ours, graduating from my own high school alma mater:
I used the same method, alternating between two loops of red and two loops of blue to get the colors to bundle together.
And that's it for the graduation leis! Next year I will most likely return to this subject in overdrive, since that seems to be the big year for many of our relatives.
Again. Etsy shop. Now.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Hannah. And now, I totally wish I knew more grads, I want to run out and buy ribbon right now -- even without knowing someone who would like one!! I love hearing about cheap crafts that look FANTASTIC! They're both amazing!! (It would have been awesome to have a two-color lei like the one you made in my wedding colors for maybe my rehearsal dinner or something!)
ReplyDeleteThese are SO pretty!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, ruffly loop is GORGEOUS!!! :-D
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing and beautiful! Can you share more on how you alternate between the red and blue loops? Did you cut the ribbon for each section?
ReplyDelete@jocelyn - no cutting, i just strung both ribbons on at the same time, then did two loops blue, two loops red, then back to the blue. it mixed in pretty nicely, but if you wanted more defined color seperation, you could do more loops of one color before switching to the other. :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have more step by step pics of the 2 color lei? Don't understand how you did it without cutting....
ReplyDeleteSure thing- ill try to put up an additional post tonight. :)
DeletePost is up - hope it helps! http://www.sakacon.com/2012/05/diy-ribbon-lei-v11.html
DeleteOMG I really want to make this for my boyfriend's graduation but it's THIS SUNDAY and I'm studying for my MCAT's 24/7...how long does this take???
ReplyDeleteBy hand, probably several hours..if you use a sewing machine for the running stitch, it would be faster!
DeletePS. did you come up with this?! it's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHubby from hawaii taught me! :)
DeleteIf you use the "picot" edged ribbon...the one with the little loops on the edge, all you have to do is count the loops when you sew....goes way faster and it's even!! To do the first lei shown here (purple and white) use purple picot edged ribbon and sew away....sooo much faster than marking the ribbon or guessing/ measuring to make sure it's even!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! Thanks!!
DeleteI LOVE this!!! It looks so cute.
ReplyDeleteHii, I wanna make leis like this and the other scrunchy ribbon one. Could you make a video of how you did it... ? I think it would be easier to see how you made from a step by step video ?
ReplyDeleteYou mention that the thread felt too thin. I generally use dental floss for sewing leis. It's stronger than thread and easier to handle.
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ReplyDeleteHi Penga, First & foremost, I hope all is well with you and your family? I have a important question and this is it - Did you attach the smaller ribbon (purple) to the larger ribbon (white) prior to the long stitch used to gather them both into the ruffled lei?? How is the smaller ribbon attached to the larger ribbon? In the pic it is lying so beautifully still? Please advise? It is truly a lovely concept? Thank You Anita bnhb@hotmail
ReplyDeleteP.S. I will definately used the "picot" edged ribbon for the inner color? Took another look at the gathered pic and it definately appears to be attached to the larger ribbon prior to the gathering to create the lei? How you finished it off with enough of the white to create a lovely bow is awesome? I must have this done by May 1st!
ReplyDeleteHow did you finish it off?
ReplyDeleteI machine stitched the two ends together I think. And then hid the ugly seam with another piece of ribbon tied as a bow.
Deleteim making the first one in white with pink for a baby shower hawaiian luau themed .. ima use it as baby shower sash just add a couple of its a girl things and there wallaaa .. thanks
ReplyDeletesounds very sweet!!
DeleteThanks for the tutorial! Making one for a middle school grad - she'll love it!
ReplyDeletenice! hope it turns out well!!
DeleteI purchased a ribbon lei In Hawaii made with rick rack ribbon. Do you have instructions to make that type of lei?
ReplyDeleteI purchased a ribbon lei In Hawaii made with rick rack ribbon. Do you have instructions to make that type of lei?
ReplyDeleteinteresting! what's it look like, maybe we can figure out how it was made?
DeleteI want to make the purple and white lei. I have four rolls of ribbon, each one 3 yards long. How do you attach the ribbon together?
ReplyDeleteI was going to order orchid leis for my daughther's graduation but was worried about how they will hold up in the sun. This is a great alternative at a fraction of the cost. I cannot wait to run out to buy ribbons tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. The step by step instructions will help a lot. <3
ReplyDeleteClearly I'm late to the game on this, but I'm wondering about how much ribbon (yards) you used for the first lei (purple & white)? Thanks! These are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! It is very helpful.
ReplyDelete