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Here Is Your Finished Bow! Feel Free To Glue On Any Bow Centers You Would Like :0)
The Sweet Cupcake Bow Uses (36) 2.5" Cuts And Has A Finished Size Of About 3". The Multi-Colored Bows At The Top Of The Page Use 46 Ribbon Cuts. I Would Recommend Using AT LEAST 30 Cuts But No More Than About 50 cuts. Experimenting With The Colors Of Ribbon In Your Layers Will Product Great Effects :0)
If you want to curl your own ribbon, this is what I suggest:
*1/4" or 5/16" wooden dowels, cut to the length you want your
korkers (18" is standard but add an inch to what you want the
finished product length to be (18" korker=19" dowel).
*The dowels will start out smooth and then roughen up as you bake with them. You may want to use some fine grit sandpaper to keep the roughies away. They'll eventually get to the point where they stay
smooth without any need for touch-ups.
*Wooden Clothespins for each end of the dowels~the mini ones are perfect for this BUT don't get the colored ones as the colors will run onto your ribbon
*Wrap any kind of 100% Polyester FABRIC ribbon (grosgrain, satin, woven, jacquard, organza, petersham, etc.--JUST NOT CRAFT, FLORAL, OR OUTDOOR/WATERPROOF RIBBON) along the dowel without overlapping and secure
each end with a clothespin or other oven-friendly clip (See photos below for the mini clothespins).
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*The tighter you roll the ribbon on the dowel, the tigher your curl will be (See photos below for spacing on dowels).
*DO NOT wet the ribbon. It is HEAT, not WATER that curls the ribbon so wetting it will only create problems:
1. It's messy
2. The water baking off creates a HORRIBLE smell
3. It doubles the baking time (or more)
4. It wastes electricity, i.e. MONEY
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*Use a super clean oven, especially the roof--this will prevent
"drips". Place the oven rack in the center position, completely
covered in aluminum foil. Remove all other upper racks so you'll have
enough space for your dowels:
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*Heat oven to 275 degrees, bake for 15-25 minutes--this is the
trickiest part. You'll have to play around with the temp and time
to find what works best for you. Gently slide one ribbon off the dowel.
If the curls are tight and even, you're done. If they're too loose, pop them back
in until you get to 20-25 minutes.
*Be very careful when baking these that the dowels and clothespins
don't get near the element or you'll smell smoke! Been there, done
that, burned a few :0(
*If your ribbons turn brown (mostly on white and light colored
ribbon) or get dirt drips, just pop them in the washer (use a
lingerie bag). Don't use the dryer. Rewrap, rebake, and you're
back in business.
