How to Make Ribbon Flowers

Ribbon Flowers

Think outside the Easter basket and nestle sweets into papier-mâché egg boxes adorned with these millinery-inspired blooms.

Eleni N. Gage

Published on March 22, 2022

eggs with ribbon flowers — Photo: Dane Tashima

Your Easter decorations can and should go beyond dyed eggs. These blossoms are no-sew; just fold a length of ribbon into accordion pleats and clamp each end with a binder clip. Tie the bundle in the middle with a thinner ribbon, release the clips so the sides open into a farfalle-pasta shape, and glue the side edges together to create a ruffled circle. Once it's dry, pull a thin ribbon through the center as a "stem." Then, trim the an egg-shaped box (a fun alternative to the traditional basket!) with matching ribbon, plant the flowers on top, and fill 'er up. These sweet details actually make the perfect accent on a myriad of holiday tchotchkes, including cards.

Created by Silke Stoddard and Tanya Graff

What You'll Need

Materials

Rayon grosgrain ribbon, 5/8 inch or 1 1/4 inches wide
2 mini binder clips
Green and pink ribbon, each 1/8 inches wide
White glue
Tapestry needle
Adhesive dots or double-sided tape (optional)
Unfinished Easter-egg containers

Instructions

Illustration by Brown Bird Design

Cut a piece of ribbon that's double the length of its width (so for a 5/8-inch ribbon, cut to 1 ¼-inch long; for a 1 ¼-inch ribbon, cut to 2 1/2 inches long). Fold into accordion pleats, and secure each end with a mini binder clip.
Illustration by Brown Bird Design

Tie center of ribbon "package" with pink ribbon, pulling it tightly and double-knotting. Remove clips.
Illustration by Brown Bird Design

Add a thin line of glue along edges of the two ribbons below pink knot. Press edges of ribbons together firmly. Repeat with ribbons above pink knot. Let dry completely.
Illustration by Brown Bird Design

Thread tapestry needle with a length of green ribbon. Pull through hole in middle of "flower" to create a "stem."
Use glue, adhesive dots, or double-sided tape to adhere a length of ribbon around edge of box. Arrange ribbon flowers on top and drape stems along box, securing ribbons with glue or adhesive dots.