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Three pieces of striped fabric ribbon with red and cream horizontal lines lie parallel on a wooden surface, each with frayed edges and one end cut at an angle—perfect to make ribbon for a custom gift.
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5 from 1 vote

How to Make Ribbon from Fabric

Learn how to make ribbon from fabric using scraps or old linens. It’s quick, satisfying, and gives your wrapping a beautiful, handmade touch.
Active Time5 minutes
Yield: 1 strip of ribbon

Equipment

  • Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
  • Iron and ironing board

Materials

  • 1 metre (yard) fabric

Instructions

  • Cut a small snip along the fabric’s raw edge, parallel to the selvedge (that’s the finished edge of the fabric).
    You’ll lose a little bit of width to the frayed edges, so make your strip slightly wider than you’d like the finished ribbon to be.
  • Hold the fabric firmly and tear — it should rip cleanly in a straight line along the grain.
    Repeat until you have as many strips as you’d like.
  • The sides of your ribbon will have loose threads. Gently pull them away until the raw edges look neat but still soft and frayed.
    Press the ribbon if you’d like it smooth, then roll it carefully so it’s ready whenever you need a pretty finishing touch.

Notes

  • Natural fibres like cotton or linen work best for this project — they tear cleanly and fray beautifully.
  • Try mixing different widths and textures for a scrappy, layered look.
  • Perfect for wrapping gifts, tying jars, or sewing projects that need a little rustic charm.