What do you do with little scraps of leftover ribbon? I've been playing and have made some cute gift tags and card toppers.

a pink gift tag made from ribbon scraps hanging on a plain white gift bag

Originally shared in September 2015, this ribbon scrap craft idea has been updated and republished.

I hate throwing away anything I think might "come in" for something and ribbon is no exception. I have a box full and try my best to keep it tidy and organised, you can see how here. I keep even quite small scraps, especially if they are pretty and always save those little ribbons that come on new tops once I’ve removed them. I use those lengths of very thin ribbon mostly when I’m making cards and for making little bows. (I got very excited once about a very easy way to make tiny bows on a fork)

Today I’m showing you an easy and pretty way to use those little short scraps of ribbon that you may have hanging around.

How to make Scrap Ribbon Gift Tags

To make a ribbon gift tag you will need:

Ribbon - old or new, even small pieces will work
Greetings cut from an old greeting cards
Metal eyelets and eyelet setter
Nice sharp dressmaking scissors
Regular scissors

Start by trimming the sentiment from the old greeting card (or print or write your own on a piece of card) Don't use your good dressmaking scissors - this is the job for the regular scissors!

Trim several lengths of ribbon to a variety of different lengths so they are all a little longer that your sentiment. It’s nice to vary the ends of the ribbon lengths, cut some on a slant and some with a v.

If your ribbon frays a lot then use some fray check type liquid or a flame (BE VERY CAREFUL!) to seal the ends.

Punch a hole in the card sentiment.

Cut a little hole in each ribbon towards one end - This is where you want to use your good sharp scissors. Fold the ribbon in half lengthways and snip a tiny v shape. I tried to punch holes in the ribbon but it just didn't work for me.

Working from the front, insert the eyelet into the card then the lengths of ribbon and then use the eyelet setter to set the eyelet.

Your ribbon gift tag is now ready to use:

gift wrapped box with a handmade gift tag made from pink ribbon scraps

a gift wrapped in black and white paper with a handmade gold ribbon gift tag

How to make a Scrap Ribbon Card Topper

You can use your scrap ribbon in the same way to make unique greeting cards really simply.

Make the ribbon tag in the same way as for the gift tags and then attach it to a blank card.

Punched two holes in the front of the card towards the top, one above the other and set an eyelet in the higher hole. Then you can tie the ribbon topper in place using thin ribbon. You can make these holes over to the left side of the card as I have here:

Or make the holes centrally as I have here:

You can see that this card topper is made without a sentiment, it just uses ribbon. This makes a card which could be used for any occasion.

More ideas to make scrap ribbon tags

Instead of using a sentiment from an old greeting card I found this printed ribbon in my stash. It came with some birthday flowers last year and of course I saved it - just incase!

I tried stamping onto ribbon too which worked pretty well. This was created using a regular stazon ink pad and sentiment stamp.

If you don't have an eyelet setter you could use decorative split pins for a similar effect, I really like the smart, polished look the eyelets give these little ribbon tags though.

Have fun experimenting!

I've barely made a dent in my ribbon stash but now I'm thinking these might be cute in reds, greens and golds for Christmas gifts and cards. It's probably not too soon to start.....

Do you keep small scraps of ribbon? Would you make unique little gift tags or greeting cards with them?

Julie