Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A satin ribbon rose is made by rolling the end of the ribbon into a tight roll for the centre, then folding the ribbon back at an angle of about 45° and turning it around the centre until the rose reaches the desired size. Finally the base is sewn with a few stitches. For a rose with a diameter of about 4 cm you need 25 mm ribbon and a length of about 50–70 cm.
What you need
- satin ribbon – widths from 15 to 40 mm are the easiest; double-face gives a nicer result because the back is also visible when folded;
- needle and thread in the colour of the ribbon;
- scissors and a lighter or anti-fray liquid for the end;
- optionally – a hot glue gun, felt for the base and wire for a stem.
How to make a folded satin ribbon rose – the basic technique
- Fold the end of the ribbon diagonally downwards to form a small triangular „stalk“ to hold on to.
- Roll the ribbon 3–4 turns around this stalk to form a firm centre and catch it with a stitch underneath.
- Fold the ribbon back at a 45° angle so that its top edge lies horizontally.
- Turn the centre over the fold – the ribbon will open naturally like a petal.
- Repeat folding and turning until the rose is large enough. Every 2–3 folds, catch the base with a stitch.
- Cut the ribbon, tuck the end under the rose and sew the base firmly.
The less often you fold, the more open and natural the rose looks. Frequent folding gives a tight bud.
Rolled gathered rose
This technique is faster and suitable for series. Hand sew a running stitch along one edge of the ribbon, leaving long thread ends. Pull the thread to gather the ribbon and wind it in a spiral around its starting point – the gathered edge stays at the bottom and the smooth edge forms the petals. Sew the base. For a more natural look, stitch diagonally instead of along the edge: the rose will widen from the centre outwards.
Rose made of individual petals
For large decorative roses, cut 38–50 mm ribbon into pieces of equal length, fold each piece into a round petal, gather the bottom edge with a stitch and arrange the petals next to each other around a rolled centre. This option is slower but gives the most realistic result and allows two shades to be combined.
Ribbon width and length for different rose sizes
| Ribbon width | Approximate rose diameter | Approximate length | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–10 mm | 1–1.5 cm | 20–30 cm | lingerie, babywear, cards |
| 15–16 mm | 2–3 cm | 35–45 cm | dresses, hair clips, buttonholes |
| 25 mm | 3.5–4.5 cm | 50–70 cm | gift boxes, hairbands |
| 38–40 mm | 5–7 cm | 80–110 cm | decoration, bouquets, shop windows |
The lengths are approximate and depend on how tightly you roll and how often you fold. Make one rose, measure the consumption and only then cut the ribbon for the whole run.
How to choose the ribbon
- Double-face satin – both sides are glossy, so the petals look the same from every angle.
- Woven edges – quality ribbon has dense edges that do not fray during shaping.
- Density – thinner satin is easy to shape into small roses, while denser satin holds the shape of large ones.
- Colour – white, ecru, red and burgundy are classics, and for delicate compositions powdery shades such as dusty rose are popular.
- Combination – a satin rose with an outer row of organza ribbon looks airier and fuller.
How to make a satin ribbon flower for clothing
Roses and flowers on clothing must withstand wear and washing. For them, use polyester satin, sew the base rather than gluing it, and attach the flower to the garment with hand stitches or on a felt base with a brooch pin. If the rose is to be removed before washing, a clasp or hair clip on the back is more convenient.
Leaves, stem and finishing
A rose looks finished when it has leaves. Cut a piece of green ribbon 25–38 mm wide, fold both ends towards the middle at an angle to form a point, and sew the base – you get a leaf with a diagonal fold. Two leaves under the rose are enough. For bouquets and decorations, pass wire through the base and wrap it with narrow green ribbon to form a stem. For appliqués on clothing no stem is used – instead, sew the rose onto a small circle of felt that hides the stitches underneath.
When making roses in series, prepare all the pieces in advance: cut the ribbon into equal lengths, finish the ends and only then shape the roses. That way the size and consumption stay the same for the whole batch, and the work can be divided among several people.
Common mistakes
- Ribbon too wide for a small rose – the petals stick out and the rose loses its shape.
- No stitches during rolling – the rose falls apart when you let go.
- Unfinished end – after a few touches it starts to fray.
- Single-face ribbon with the folding technique – the matte side shows at the front on some of the petals.
Wholesale satin ribbon for roses and decorations
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of haberdashery and accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags. We offer satin ribbons in various widths and colours, as well as other types of ribbon for decoration and clothing. We work with ateliers and manufacturers of clothing, packaging and decorations across the EU. Minimum quantities depend on the article – for colours, samples and a quote, write to us via the contact page.
