Heart Shaped Ribbon Lei wreath

Thinking of a unique way to decorate for Valentines Day- especially if you’re having a party? Why not create a beautiful heart shaped ribbon lei wreath? I learned how to make a ribbon lei on a cruise around Hawaii. Most leis are made out of much smaller width ribbon but I thought it would be fun to see how using wider ribbon would look. It was so easy to do, turned out really pretty and definitely makes a huge holiday statement.

Materials Needed:

Ribbon – (I picked up after Xmas,  50yd rolls of 1.5″ and 2.5″ ribbon for less than five dollars each)
Scissors
Foam board
Heart paper pattern
Craft knife
Hot glue
Bowdabra, wire and wand

To get started, cut two ribbon strips of about 6yds each. Make a slip knot on one about 6″ from the end.

Next, make a plain loop with the second strip and push it through the first loop. Pull the longer hanging ribbon strip and tighten the loop to the width of the ribbon, making sure the ribbon is snug and straight.

Then, pick up the opposite long ribbon, make a new loop and push it through the existing loop.

Continue alternating making a new loop and pushing it into the existing loop, pulling tight to the ribbon width.
It’s as easy as that! You’ll see a delightful pattern emerge as you continue to loop and push alternate strips.

Continue to loop, push and gently tighten ribbon until you have the length you want and braided most of the ribbon . . .

and have only a few inches left.

Nearing the end, tighten the ribbon and pull the tail end of the last loop all the way through to finish off the braid.
Cross the ends over . . .

and tuck them inside the loops.

Look at the beautiful ribbon pattern!

Now shape the ribbon lei into a heart!

Next, make a heart shape foam-board backing to keep the ribbon lei stable to hang.
1. Fold paper the height of the heart shape in half and draw a half of a heart.

2. Cut out and trace onto foam board.
3. Cut out heart shape foam board, using craft knife and then draw another shape one inch away from edge and cut out.

4. Glue on ribbon lei to foam board heart shape and attach a folded ribbon strip to center.

To make bow:
Cut a piece of Bowdabra wire, fold in half and lay it into the Bowdabra, tucking ends under.

Lay the smaller ribbon on top of the wider ribbon, twisting the ribbons, placing it right side down into the Bowdabra.

Fold the ribbon, making a loop and twist down into the Bowdabra.

Repeat this step, making a loop on the opposite side.

Now, you have one loop on each side.
Twist and make one more smaller loop.

Scrunch down the ribbon with the Bowdabra wand.

While the bow is still in the Bowdabra, thread the two ends of wire through the loop at the other end, pulling tight and wrapping around to the back tying in a knot.
Tuck the last loop ribbon ends in, and fluff.
Attach bow to the ribbon lei loop and hang in your favorite spot.

Have fun making several for pretty party décor.

Visit Bowdabra designer Gail at her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and G+