How To Curl A Ribbon

Using curling ribbon on balloons and gift wrapping is an easy and awesome presentation idea.  We get plenty of emails and phone calls asking for advice on how to curl ribbon, so we decided to put together a short guide on how to add this simple yet beautiful touch to your balloons and presents!

 

To see the full range of curling ribbons available at Partyrama.co.uk, please click here!

 

You will need:

• Curling Ribbon
• Scissors

 

Please be careful when using sharp scissors  – we don’t recommend this activity for children!

 

Step By Step Guide

 

•  If using ribbon on balloons – Inflate your balloon with helium or air, tying a knot in the end to keep it inflated (we also have a guide on using helium cylinders, which you can find here).  Tie the ribbon to the knot of the balloon, leaving a good 30cm or so in length excess to curl.

 

• If using it on a gift – wrap your gift with wrapping paper as normal, then tie the ribbon in a knot on the top of the gift.  Make sure you leave a good 15cm of so at the ends of each piece of ribbon excess to curl.

 

• Find the natural curl of the ribbon – the ribbon will have a natural curl of its own.  Typically the shiny side of the ribbon will be on the outside, with the dull side curling underneath and inwards.

 

• Using your thumb and forefinger, hold the top of the ribbon tightly.  If you are right handed, use your left hand, and vice versa.

 

• Carefully hold the scissors open in between the blades and the handles, with the sharp edges of the blades pointing away from your hand in an X shape.

 

• Using your thumb, carefully yet firmly press the top of the dull side of the ribbon against the blade of the scissors.

 

• Taking great care to ensure you don’t injure yourself, pull the ribbon across the blade of the scissors away from you – this pressure and movement will cause the ribbon to curl.  If you are too slow, then it is possible to flatten the ribbon further, making it more difficult to curl.

 

• Release the ribbon from under your thumb – if done correctly, the ribbon will pop out and curl upwards!

 

• If you haven’t managed to make it curl correctly, repeat the process starting from step 3.  If it still isn’t playing nicely, then remove the ribbon from the balloon and start again with a fresh piece.

 

There are plenty of other uses for curling ribbon, including arts and crafts, gift wrapping bottles and much more!  Feel free to get creative, using the above guide to assist you!

 

If you have any further questions or need more advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our sales team at sales [at] partyrama.co.uk, or give us a call on 01908 261 280.