Make your own ribbon bracelets in five steps

How do you make ribbon bracelets?

Ribbon bracelets are trendy, easy to make, and super quick to finish! You can make dozens in a single afternoon. They have been popular for years, especially in the summer and at festivals - that’s actually where the hype began. And as soon as the sun starts shining, these ribbons fly off our shelves! ☀️

The great thing is that you can easily adjust them to size. Wider wrist? Just cut a bit more ribbon. And with the right bead, the bracelet will always fit perfectly.

What do you need?
– A piece of ribbon (about 30cm, or wrist size + 10cm)
– A sliding bead with a hole of at least 3.5mm (ideal: 4mm)
– A piece of sturdy wire as a threading aid (such as steel wire or nylon thread)
– Optionally, a bit of clear nail polish.

                     

Step 1 — Cut the ribbon to size

Cut a piece of ribbon about 30cm long. Do you want to customize it exactly? Measure the wrist size of the person who will be wearing the bracelet and add 10cm. You need those 10cm so the sliding bead has enough room to slide later. Tip: dab a little clear nail polish on the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying. This isn't mandatory, but it is useful!

Step 2 — Prepare your threading aid

Fold the piece of wire in half to create a V-shape. This is your threading aid to get the bead over the ribbon later. Without this tool, it’s much harder! Keep in mind that you can use any kind of wire as long as it is sturdy. That’s why I find steel wire to be a great option.

Step 3 — Make a loop with the ribbon

Fold the ribbon in half and pass the V-shaped wire through the loop of the ribbon. Now the ribbon and the wire are attached, and you are ready for the next step.

Step 4 — Thread the sliding bead

Thread the sliding bead over both wires and pull it carefully over the ribbon. This might take a little force—some ribbons are stiffer than others. But once it’s on, it slides easily! 💪

Step 5 — Put the bracelet on!

Slide the bead as far toward the ends as possible so you can pass your hand through the opening. Put the bracelet on your wrist, slide the bead back toward your wrist - and you're done! 🎀

Another tip! Do you want to really prevent fraying? A little bit of clear nail polish on the ends works perfectly. You can also seal the ends with a lighter, but be careful with that—ribbon is made of polyester and catches fire easily. Nail polish is safer and works just as well!

Do you want to see how I do it? In this video, I explain it to you and show you how to make these fun bracelets yourself:

 And you're done! Do you have any questions or are you stuck? Send us an email at info@littlebeadshop.nl or a message via Instagram or Facebook. We are happy to help! 🎀