DIY Torn Velvet Ribbon

Torn velvet ribbon is popular for the casual elegance it brings to gifts, floral arrangements, and home decor, and you can easily make your own for a fraction of the cost of store-bought ribbon.

I’ve been noticing torn velvet ribbon a lot recently: in centerpieces, on wreaths, on professionally made bouquets in vases, in the craft store ribbon aisle, and in online craft supply shops. I love the approachable, relaxed luxury that it brings to almost any application and I love that it works beautifully with almost any decorating style, from super modern to traditional farmhouse style to shabby chic. Since it’s made from velvet, this ribbon can be a bit on the expensive side, but if you’re willing to invest about two minutes of your time, it’s easy and fairly inexpensive to make your own in any width that you want. Here’s how to make your own velvet ribbon and a look at a few different places that I’ve used it around our home to add Christmas cheer this holiday season.

Homemade Hand Torn Velvet Ribbon

The process for making your own ribbon out of velvet fabric couldn’t be easier. You’ll need to start with a couple of yards of velvet material in a color of your choosing. To make this Christmas ribbon project extra affordable and sustainable, check thrift stores and consignment shops first, as they often have vintage crafts, sewing supplies, and floral supplies available. Many of the trendiest styles of velvet ribbon are actually made from brightly colored crushed velvet, which has a decidedly retro, metallic look to it. You can also watch for clearance sales at your local fabric shop or search Etsy online to find independent small businesses that specialize in fabric sales by the yard.

I used this beige/camel-colored cotton velvet that I had left from previous projects and that I thought would work well with this year’s natural, garden-inspired Christmas decor, and I love the big, floppy bows that I was able to create with it.

Pictured above: Living room rug | LED Christmas tree candles | White knitted stockings | Stocking holders | Gold satin ribbon | Affordable floral pillow cover

To make your ribbon, simply measure out (or approximate) how wide you would like your ribbon to be, then cut a little nick in the fabric about that far away from the fabric’s edge. For example, if you’d like 2″ wide ribbon, measure in 2″ from the edge of the fabric, then make a little cut about 1/2″ long using sharp scissors to mark where you’d like to begin tearing.

Tear your fabric, pulling the new ribbon away from the rest of the fabric, and it should automatically tear in a straight line. If it doesn’t, and you find that your ribbon is getting thinner and thinner the further you tear, that means that you’re starting on the wrong side of your fabric. You’ll need to rotate your fabric 90 degrees and start from one of the sides to the left or right of where you were tearing from initially. I can never remember how to tell which is the right place to start, so I just do a little test-tear first.

You’ll know when you’re tearing from the right spot because your ribbons will stay straight as you tear, and the process will be quick, easy, and painless. 🙂

More handmade decoration ideas for Christmas: The 15-Minute DIY Mini Cedar Wreath

Tips for Finishing the Ribbon

Once you’ve torn as many ribbons as you’ll need, there are a few finishing touches that will make your ribbon look its best. First, iron each ribbon, then wrap it around a spool or just around your hand so it stays smooth and wrinkle-free.

After you’ve tied your torn velvet ribbon into a bow on a Christmas present or used it to decorate your home for the holidays, you’ll see that there may be a few little flecks of velvet that have shedded off and are stuck to the face of the ribbon. These aren’t that noticeable, but I like to take a lint roller and carefully remove them as much as I can for a more polished look.

DIY decorations for your holiday home: How to Make Those Amazing Paper Snowflakes

Where to Use Velvet Ribbons

Pictured above: Indestructible doormat | Blue and white ceramic umbrella holder | Glass lamp | Similar demi-lune table | Similar ginger jar | Garland

Torn velvet ribbon works beautifully in all kinds of applications, and you can customize the width to suit whatever project you have in mind. It’s a perfect hanging ribbon for the wreath on your front door or as a big bow at the bottom of your staircase garland or on the side of your mantel. Thin velvet ribbons would work beautifully tied on your tree branches to hang ornaments or as bows on your Christmas tree candles.

Of course, you always need a big bow when you gift-wrap, and while wired ribbon or grosgrain ribbon might be more common, the unexpected charm of torn velvet ribbons and bows works so well, especially when paired with something a little fancier like double-faced satin ribbon or silk ribbon. You can also pair it with rustic jute twine or raffia for a charming, country-style effect. If you’re wrapping up a beautiful gift basket, tying it with a lovely velvet bow is really all the adornment that you need.

I decided to tie a large bow on one side of my mirror to add a simple accent to my mudroom greenery garland with twinkle lights, and I love the understated, welcoming look it brings to my little entryway table. No other trim or embellishment is needed, in my opinion, and I think the cat agrees. 🙂