Tips, Tricks & Questions

How many yards of ribbon should I buy?

Yardage is sometimes hard to know, especially when you're ordering online. We've compiled a list of general things you can do with yardage amount, hopefully this helps!

Yardage Guide

1 Yard

Hair bow, once around small gift box, tying off 3-4 cellophane bags, rim of small vase, handle of pitcher, balloons, purse tie, 1 bow on shower curtain or towel ring.

2 Yards

Two times (criss cross) around small gift box, once around medium gift box, enough for wreath (we generally use between 1 and 2 yards depending on how big the wreath is or how long you want the tails), sconce.

3 Yards

Once around large gift box, ribbon garland/banner (depending on how long your mantle or area is).

Cutting, Tying and Sealing

  • Cutting

    We always recommend cutting your ribbon on an angle, 45° is ideal. This helps prevent your ribbon from fraying and it will look better. Using sharp or fabric scissors will also help the cut to be clean and crisp!

  • Tying

    We generally tie bows in two ways. When not tying around an object, we make two loops, cross them over each other, wrap around and pull through. One of the tails will be in the front, just flip it over the top before pulling tight!

    The second way is when you're tying around an object. Secure the ribbon with an initial knot. Make one loop, take the other strand and wrap it top to bottom, then pull through. Wrapping top to bottom will ensure the loops are at the top and the tails are at the bottom!

  • Sealing

    When you're putting ribbon somewhere more permanent or high traffic - hair bows, tying on bags, even wreaths - we recommend sealing the edges. We prefer using heat to seal the edges, it seems the easiest and most effective. Just take a match, lighter, or even candle and put the cut edge of the ribbon close enough that the heat will reach it. You'll be able to see the edge seal! If you're worried about or not wanting to use heat we've also used clear nail polish and hot glue, both are great alternatives!

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What are the best uses for my ribbon?

We are firm believers that ribbon, especially beautiful ribbon, should be used and not saved! Here are some ways we love to use ours.

Where does the name Tefft come from?

Starting this little shop has been a dream of mine for a long, long time. When Henry started helping me make the dream a reality, the only thing holding me back was that we didn't have a name. After searching, brainstorming, and asking everyone I knew, we found Tefft! It was actually my little sister who was looking on FamilySearch one day that found it. The surname Tefft is found on both my mom and my dad's side of the family, and when this picture was on Charlotte's profile, we knew it was the right fit!