How To Make Ribbon Leis: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make Ribbon Leis PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Measuring and Knotting the Ribbons 2 Forming the Loops 3 Finishing off the Lei Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 3, 2023 Tested

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 496,052 times. Learn more...

Whether you're making a ribbon lei to celebrate a special occasion or just for fun, the process is simple if you have a little time. Use two different colors of ribbon to form loops, taking turns putting one loop through the other before tightening the ribbon. For the best looking leis, be careful not to pull your ribbon too tight or too loose after each loop, tightening it just enough so it's laying flat. Once you're happy with the length of your lei, knot the end and it's ready to wear!

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Measuring and Knotting the Ribbons

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  1. Step 1 Select two different colors of ribbon in your desired size. 1 Select two different colors of ribbon in your desired size. Choose ribbons of the same brand and width to make the process easier. Many people choose ribbon that’s 0.625 in (1.59 cm) wide, but you can pick out whatever type of ribbon you’d like.[1]
    • For example, if you’re making the lei for a graduate whose school colors are blue and yellow, pick out a roll of ribbon in yellow and one in blue, making sure they’re both the same size.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 2 Cut the ribbon strands to be roughly 5 yd (4.6 m) each in length. Unravel each roll of ribbon and lay them flat. Use a ruler or yardstick to measure at least 5 yd (4.6 m) of each ribbon, using scissors to cut them at the measured mark.[2]
    • You can measure out more than 5 yd (4.6 m) if you’d like to have more to work with just in case.
    • Cut each ribbon at an angle for a more professional look or straight across depending on your preferences, making sure they're both the same length.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 3 Align the ribbons and tie a knot about 5–7 in (13–18 cm) from the ends. Take an end of each different colored ribbon and form a knot. Leaving 5–7 in (13–18 cm) of space between the knot and the end of the ribbons will give you room to tie the lei together once you’re finished.[3]
    • Create the knot by aligning the ends together and forming a loop, or by tying the two ends together like you would tie your shoes.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Forming the Loops

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  1. Step 1 Create a loop with each ribbon near the knot. 1 Create a loop with each ribbon near the knot. Form a loop with each ribbon, as if you were making bunny ears. The loops don’t need to be large—a length of 2 in (5.1 cm) works well. Make each loop so that they’re both roughly the same size.
    • Hold one loop in your left hand and the other loop in your right for the best grip.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 2 Stick loop #1 through loop #2, holding on to the base. It doesn’t matter which color ribbon you start with. For example, you might stick a white ribbon loop through a blue ribbon loop, or vice versa. Once a loop is through the other loop, hold the ribbons so one hand is holding each one in place at the base.[4]
    • If your ribbons have a shiny and non-shiny side, create your loops so that one ribbon has the shiny side showing and the other does not. Stick the shiny ribbon through the non-shiny ribbon to start the pattern of the shiny side showing on the lei.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 3 Pull on loop #2’s end to tighten it around loop #1. Pull lightly on the loose end of the ribbon you used to make loop #2, watching as the ribbon tightens around loop #1. Pull the ribbon so that it’s equal to the width of loop #1. Be careful not to pull too tightly, or the ribbon will scrunch up.[5]
    • Avoid pulling the ribbon so that it’s too loose as well—you want the ribbon to be flat against the loop for the best lei.
    • Hold loop #1 in place so it doesn’t move as the ribbon tightens around it.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 4 Make another loop using the ribbon so that there are two loops again. With loop #2 now tightened around loop #1, you’ll need to make another loop #2 that’s the same size. Hold the already-made loop with one hand and use your other hand to form the new loop.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 5 Put loop #2 through loop #1. Do the same thing you did before, just with opposite colors this time. Move loop #2 so that it’s through the center of loop #1. Hold each loop with a separate hand to make sure they don’t unravel.[6]
    • For example, if you first put a white ribbon’s loop through a blue ribbon’s loop, now you’d be putting the blue ribbon’s loop through the white ribbon’s.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 6 Pull on loop #1’s ribbon end to tighten it around loop #2. Hold the loops with one hand, and use the other hand to pull lightly on the loose end of loop #1’s ribbon. Tighten it so that it’s flat against loop #2, and the ribbon isn’t bunched up or too loose.[7]
    • Keep the tightening of each ribbon as consistent as possible so your lei looks its best.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 7 Repeat these steps until your lei is as long as desired. Create another loop, now putting loop #1 through loop #2 again. Tighten loop #2 so the ribbon is flat against loop #1. Continue switching off between colors until you’re satisfied with the length of your lei. To check how long it is so far, hold it around your neck in a U-shape and pretend to tie it together.
    • Remember that whichever ribbon is on the outside is the ribbon you’ll pull. This will also be the ribbon you’ll use to form the next loop, putting it into the already-made loop.
    • Keep each ribbon flat once it’s tightened to avoid pulling them too tight or too loose.
    • As you continue to create loops, your lei's length will get longer and longer.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Finishing off the Lei

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 1 Put the end of one ribbon through the other’s loop. After you’ve tightened a loop, instead of forming another one, slide that ribbon’s end into the already-formed loop. Pull it all the way through the loop so that it won’t slide back out.[8]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 2 Slide the remaining ribbon end through the same loop. You should be left with one ribbon loop and that same ribbon’s end. Pull the remaining ribbon end through its loop, going in the opposite direction of the other ribbon.[9]
    • For example, if you pulled the first ribbon through the loop coming from the right, you’d pull the remaining ribbon through the loop coming from the left.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Ribbon Leis 3 Create a knot with both of the ribbon ends. Tie a knot with the loose ends just as you did when you first started the lei, forming it at the base of the last loops. Make a double knot to ensure it’s extra secure, if desired.[10]
  4. Step 4 Snip off the extra ribbon length using scissors if desired. 4 Snip off the extra ribbon length using scissors if desired. Once your final knot is tied, cut off the ends of the ribbon so that they’re short and even. Leave at least 5 in (13 cm) of length for you to tie the ends of the lei together. Once you tie the 4 ribbon ends together in a knot or bow, your lei is finished![11]
    • Cut the ends of the lei at an angle or straight across, depending on your preferences.
    • Coat the ends in a clear nail polish top coat to keep them from fraying.
    • You can also tie the ends to something like a sign instead, making a wearable banner.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I make a round ribbon lei? Community Answer Community Answer When you create the braided ribbon lei, it should be in a round shape. Read through all the instructions, and you should be able to create a beautiful braided ribbon lei! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 5
  • Question How long are ribbon leis? Wikihower1234567890 Wikihower1234567890 Community Answer You can make them as long or short as you want them to be. You can have them super short, or super long, depending on the materials available and the space you want to hang them on. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7
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Video

Tips

  • Making a full-length lei should take about 20-30 minutes, depending on your skill level and how long you want your lei to be. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
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Things You'll Need

  • Two ribbon colors, 5 yd (4.6 m) each
  • Scissors
  • Ruler or yardstick

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiyGwkEzSto#t=5s
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiyGwkEzSto#t=20s
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEhyc58GUk#t=9s
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiiMkL_G0uQ#t=40s
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiiMkL_G0uQ#t=1m3s
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiiMkL_G0uQ#t=1m22s
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiiMkL_G0uQ#t=1m31s
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEhyc58GUk#t=2m
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEhyc58GUk#t=2m6s
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEhyc58GUk#t=2m22s
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiyGwkEzSto#t=5m24s

About This Article

wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 496,052 times. 35 votes - 73% Co-authors: 16 Updated: May 3, 2023 Views: 496,052 Categories: Featured Articles | Necklace and Choker Projects | Ribbon Craft Projects Article SummaryX

To make a ribbon lei, pin 2 satin ribbons together with the right sides facing each other. Next, fold the ends down and inward, then secure them with pins. Sew along the entire lengths of the ribbons on both edges, leaving the ends open, and turn the ribbon tube right side out. Thread a smaller ribbon through the tube, attach beads to each end, and tie the ends into a bow. Then, shape the lei by scrunching up the tube until the folds resemble flower petals! To learn how to make a braided ribbon lei, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer 35 votes - 73% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 16 Updated: May 3, 2023 Views: 496,052

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