Organize ribbons not on spools

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I used to have a box full of scraps of ribbon and there were so many shoved in there that it became difficult to pick through them to find the color I want. I knew I needed a new solution, but I wanted something portable, easy, and inexpensive.

Then one day I saw the Pull EZ ribbon purse in the store and I was intrigued. It was a great idea, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend twenty bucks on it. A few minutes later, I had a plan all figured out. I was going to make my own!


I started with a plastic zippered pouch (Fig. 1) that I had saved from a recent curtain purchase (bedsheets come in these, too). The only tool I needed to do this was a regular 1/4″ hand-held hole punch.


I wanted a handle on my tote, so the first thing I did was punch two holes in the top of the bag (Fig 2). I took a piece of wide ribbon that was about a foot long and threaded it through the holes and knotted the ends (Fig 3). Instant handle!


Then I made a few creases lengthwise on the front of the bag and punched holes an inch or two apart (Fig 4). At this point you can add as many or as few holes as you want, and cover the sides and back of the bag if you wish. I covered the front of mine (Fig 5 — look closely!), but I know I can always go back later and add more if I need to. You can obviously customize this part to suit the size of your bag and the number of pieces of ribbon that you have.


The last step was to put all the ribbon inside and pull one end of each ribbon through a hole. Now I can see every ribbon at once, and they are super easy to get to (Fig 6). I can just pull out what I need and cut it off!


You’re probably wondering if the ribbons tangle, but I have not had any trouble with that as long as I keep them under three or four feet long. Anything much longer will probably snag on the other ribbon as you pull it, but this bag is meant for scraps anyway, and scraps are always on the short side!

What a great Idea. I have one of these bags that sheets came in that I use it for my to go crafts. It is just the right size to take to my moms for a couple of days to work on something small like my sequin ornaments etc. I do have a couple of these bags that are a little smaller that I have been wondering what to do with. This will work nicely. I love the ingeniuty of the people in this place! Thank you, thank you.

I use the ones my sheets come in to carry my toiletries on trips. I find that I can fit a lot of bottles in there and if something opens and spills, the mess is contained!

Great idea with the ribbons!!

I use my for scrap ribbons too, but just suve them all in there!!lol thanks for sharing your idea!!

I use the bags that comforters come in for fabrick and large crafting items like greenery and and flowers!! I also put fabric in them!!

I have all sorts of sizes and I have been using them for years. I remember when they first started useing them in the stores as I was working in a large department store way back when and I had the girls save them for me then!!!

I have also used these for travel bags for shoes and such!!!

Thanks agian for shring this idea!!

Hugs

Wow great idea...I work alot with ribbons now and that is going to work great for me...


Smiles & Hugs...

This is a super idea and the instructions all in one...THANKS SO SO MUCH...I too saw these and thought the same thing, but wasn't brilliant enough to make my own

I too have seen old fashioned candy jars *not sure where to get them, some have said WALMART* but they put different colors in each jar and they look pretty too...I have so so many pieces of ribbons...as a matter of fact, I buy my ribbon by the yard MOST OF THE TIME, so this will work SUPER FOR ME...THANKS AGAIN.

Tammy
www.3happymoms.com
www.tearingbears.com

What a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing. I use the bags for my yarn, but never thought to put holes in so I can pull them though. Thanks again for sharing.