How to Make a Rosy Ribbon Tutorial - Sewing Project for Kids
Learn How to Make a Rosy Ribbon in this Tutorial from Pixie Mandy's Projects. This sewing project is perfect for beginners and kids ages 6 and up. Photos and step-by-step instructions are taken from our sewing videos.
Hi, I’m so glad you want to start your sewing journey! My Rosy Ribbon is just one of the many projects you can learn how to make. When you are finished make sure to take a photo so you can share it with everyone!
Pattern Template
You will need a piece of poster board, ruler, pen and paper cutting scissors to make a pattern template measuring 6 x 21 inches. It is best to get help from an adult making this so your template is square. |
Step 1) Materials Needed
*1 fat quarter quilting fabric, pre-washed & ironed *1 yard ¾” ribbon *1 ribbon rosette (optional) |
Step 2) Cut
For this project, you won’t need your pattern, unless you would prefer to use it. Simply fold your fabric into thirds. Make sure that it is evenly folded and lined up (it should measure 6” across). Then, cut one of the thirds off. Save the rest of the fabric for another project. |
Step 3) Pin & Sew
Fold your fabric in half (hot dog style), with right sides together. Pin the long edge of the fabric, and one of the shorter ends. Place your fabric beneath the presser foot, allowing for a ½” seam. Lock-it-in, and sew. When you’re ½” from the end, pivot your fabric. Sew to the corner. Back-stitch and clip your threads. |
Step 4A) Clip & Turn
Using your snipper scissors, clip the corners of your fabric. Be sure not to clip your threads! Using your fingers and thumbs, pull apart the bottom of your fabric and create a little pocket. Place one end of your chopstick into this pocket, and one end against your belly. Then, scrunch the fabric over the chopstick. |
Step 4B) Turn (Continued)
When the end of the fabric with the chopstick in it pokes through, use your chopstick to work out the corners, making them nice and sharp. Then, take hold of this end, and pull the rest of the fabric through the opening. Nice work! |
Step 5) Ironing
Use your iron to press the folded edge of your fabric (not the edge with the seam in it, you will leave that edge unironed). Then, fold the top short edge of your fabric down inside about ½”. Press this fold as well, making a nice, clean edge. |
Step 6A) Sew Basting Stitch
Next, you will sew a basting stitch on the long side of the fabric (the side you just sewed), which you will use to gather the fabric. Place your fabric beneath the presser foot. Then, adjust your sewing machine to sew as big of a stitch as you can (most likely a number 6). |
Step 6B) Sew Basting Stitch (Continued)
For this stitch, don’t back tack. Just sew from one end to the other. Sew as straight as possible, and right before you get to the end, simply stop (don’t back-stitch!) Pull your fabric out from your sewing machine a bit, so that you have plenty of thread. Then, clip the threads. |
Step 7A) Gather
Now it’s time to gather. If you look at both sides of your fabric, you will notice that the top of the basting stitch and the bottom of the basting stitch look different. The bottom will be a long, continuous stitch. When you gather, it is easiest to gather by pulling this bottom stitch. |
Step 7B) Gather (Continued)
Gently begin to pull the bottom thread on the bottom end of your fabric (the side where you finished your basting stitch). With your other hand, gently work your gathers down your fabric. This may take a bit, but be patient, and ask for help if you need it. |
Step 7C) Gather (Continued)
Eventually, the fabric on the end you are gathering will not want to gather anymore. At this point, turn your fabric to the other end. Begin pulling the bottom thread of this side, and working the fabric into gathers with your other hand. You will feel when your fabric cannot be gathered anymore. |
Step 8) Sewing Gathers
Place the gathered edge of your fabric beneath the presser foot. Lock-it-in. Then, using your hands to hold your gathers in place, sew a straight stitch along this side. When you get to the end, back-stitch and clip your threads. |
Step 9A) Forming Flower
In order to make the flower, you will be hand stitching, so go ahead and thread your needle. On one end of your fabric, fold the fabric in half, hot dog style, holding this small fold in place with your fingers. Then, hand stitch 2-3 small stitches at the very bottom to hold this fold in place. |
Step 9B) Forming Flower (Continued)
Don’t cut your thread yet, but set the needle aside. Then, pinch the end of your fabric, and use your other hand to wrap the fabric around itself. When you have wrapped 2 times, stitch 2-3 small stitches to hold the wrap in place. You’ll want to go through each layer of fabric so that it’s secure. |
Step 9C) Forming Flower (Continued)
Continue to wrap your fabric around once more, and then stitch it in place. Remember to go through all of the layers (you may need to grab 1 or 2 layers at a time to do this). Continue to wrap and stitch. When you are done wrapping, stitch a couple of final stitches at the very end. |
Step 10A) Stitching Flower & Ribbon Together
Don’t cut your thread yet, as you will be sewing the ribbon onto your flower next. Fold your piece of ribbon in half to find the center. Grab the center of the ribbon with your needle, and then stitch back through the bottom of your flower, so that the two meet. |
Step 10B) Stitching Flower & Ribbon Together
When making your stitches, stitch through a couple of layers of the flower, and then back through the ribbon. Start by stitching on one side of the ribbon, then tie off your thread (but don’t cut it). Then, stitch the other side. When you’re finished, tie a double knot, and cut your thread. |
Step 11) Folding Fabric Down
Using your fingers, gently fold the fabric “petals” of your flower down around the outside edges. Hand stitch the very end of your fabric (on the bottom layer of your flower), so that it is not sticking out. Simply tuck it beneath the other layer of fabric, and make a couple of stitches to hold it in place. |
Step 12A) Adding Rosette (Optional)
Fold your fabric down so that you can reach the very center of your flower. Stitch a couple of hand stitches right in the center of the flower. Then, grab the very bottom of your rosette with your needle. |
Step 12B) Adding Rosette (Continued)
Stitch your rosette onto the flower by grabbing a little bit of the flower, and then stitching through a little bit of the bottom of the rosette. Make 3-4 stitches like this. Once the rosette is nice and secure, tie a double knot, and clip your thread. |
All Done!
Wonderful work! Now you have a pretty Rosy Ribbon that you can use to dress up all of your outfits. Wear it different ways with different outfits. Now that you know how to make the Rosy Ribbon, you can even make more in different colors to match your whole wardrobe! |
