Choosing The Right Amount Of Ribbon For Wedding Invites

Adding a ribbon to your wedding invitations is a great way to add a luxurious and delicate touch. The amount of ribbon you'll need depends on several factors, including the size of your invitations, the type of finish you want, and how many wraps you plan to do. A common invitation size is 5 x 7, and if you want to wrap it once around the narrowest part with a bow finish, you'll need around 23 of ribbon. With a knot finish, you'll need about 15. Ribbon spools typically contain 3 to 5.47 yards of ribbon, so depending on your desired finish, you can estimate how many spools you'll need for your invitations.

Ribbon length for a bow finish

The length of ribbon you will need for a bow finish on your wedding invitations depends on the size of your invitations and the type of bow you wish to create.

A general rule of thumb is that the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow. For a simple bow, you will need approximately 24"-30" of ribbon per invitation. If you are using a 5" x 7" invitation and want a single wrap with a bow finish, each card will need 23" of ribbon.

For a more voluminous bow, you can use the "5 times the width" method. First, cut your ribbon to approximately five times the width of your desired finished bow. Then, lay the ribbon on a flat surface and fold it in a double zig-zag pattern, so there is one cut end and two folded ends on both the left and right sides. Stack the layers and gather them in the centre. Wrap the top and bottom ribbon tails around the centre, crossing them but not tying them, and then tie a basic knot. Adjust the loops and tails to your desired size and trim any excess ribbon.

For a fancier, multi-layered bow, you can use the "6 times the width" method. Cut one length of ribbon twice the width of your desired bow and another length slightly shorter. Fold each length into a loop, with the cut end centred at the back. Place the smaller loop on top of the larger one and cut a shorter piece of ribbon (about twice the width of the original ribbon) to wrap around the centre. Secure the centre loop with hot glue and cut another piece of ribbon for the tails. Tuck the tail piece into the centre loop or cut it in half and glue the tails to the back of the bow.

Remember to always order extra ribbon if you are close to needing an additional spool.

Ribbon length for a knot finish

The length of ribbon needed for a knot finish on a wedding invitation depends on the size of the invitation and how you want to tie the knot.

If you have a 5" x 7" invitation and want to do a single wrap around the narrowest (5") part of the card, you will need a ribbon that is 15" long for a knot finish.

If you want to wrap the invitation once around the middle, a good rule of thumb is to measure across the invitation and double that length, then add 3 inches for the knot.

For example, if your invitation is 7" wide, you would need a ribbon that is at least (7" x 2) + 3" = 17" long.

If you want to wrap the invitation like a parcel (both ways), measure both dimensions, add them, and double that length, then add 3 inches for the knot.

For example, if your invitation is 7" wide and 5" tall, you would need a ribbon that is at least ((7" + 5") x 2) + 3" = 29" long.

It's always a good idea to order a little extra ribbon to account for any mistakes or variations. Ribbon spools typically contain approximately 32 yards, or 108 inches, of ribbon, so you can use that to calculate the total number of spools you will need.

How to calculate total ribbon yards needed

The amount of ribbon you'll need for your wedding invitations will depend on several factors, including the size of the invitation, the type of finish, and the number of wraps. To get an accurate estimate of how much ribbon is needed, it is recommended to use a piece of string to mimic the desired wrapping style and measure the required length.

Step 1: Determine the Length of Ribbon per Invitation

First, decide on the desired wrapping style. Do you want a bow, a knot, or a simple wrap with a wax seal? The length of ribbon required will vary depending on the chosen style.

For a bow finish, you will need approximately 23-24 inches of ribbon per invitation.

For a knot finish, you will need around 15-20 inches of ribbon per invitation.

If you opt for a wax seal, you will need approximately 18 inches of ribbon per invitation.

Step 2: Calculate the Total Ribbon Length

Multiply the length of ribbon per invitation by the total number of invitations. This will give you the total ribbon length required for all invitations.

For example, if you have 100 invitations and want a bow finish:

> 23 inches (length per invitation) x 100 invitations = 2300 inches

Step 3: Convert Inches to Yards

Convert the total ribbon length from inches to yards to understand how many yards of ribbon you need to order. There are 36 inches in one yard, so divide the total ribbon length by 36.

> 2300 inches / 36 = 63.89 yards

Step 4: Determine the Number of Spools

Ribbon spools typically contain approximately 32 yards of ribbon. To find out how many spools you need, divide the total yards needed by the length of ribbon per spool.

> 63.89 yards / 32 yards per spool = 1.99 spools

Since you can't order a fraction of a spool, always round up to the nearest whole number. In this case, you would need to order 2 spools of ribbon.

By following these steps and adjusting the calculations based on your specific invitation count and desired finish, you can ensure you have enough ribbon to complete your wedding invitations with a beautiful, cohesive touch.

Ribbon spool length

The length of ribbon spools varies, with some containing 3 yards of ribbon, others 5.47 yards, and some even more. The most common spool length seems to be around 32 yards.

The length of ribbon you need for your wedding invitations will depend on how you plan to use it. For example, the amount of ribbon required will vary depending on the size of the invitation, the type of finish, and the number of wraps.

If you have a common invitation size of 5x7 inches and want to wrap it once around the narrowest part (5 inches), you will need:

• 23 inches of ribbon if you want a bow finish
• 15 inches of ribbon if you want a knot finish

With this in mind, you can calculate how many invitations you can make with each spool. For example, if each spool is 5.47 yards (or 196 inches):

• Bow finish: 196 ÷ 23 = 8 invitations per spool, with 12 inches leftover
• Knot finish: 196 ÷ 15 = 13 invitations per spool, with 1 inch leftover

So, if you need to wrap 200 invitations:

• Bow finish: 200 invitations ÷ 8 invitations per spool = 25 spools
• Knot finish: 200 invitations ÷ 13 invitations per spool = 16 spools

It's important to consider that these are only estimates, and it's recommended to order extra ribbon if you're close to needing an additional spool. You can also use a piece of string to mimic the desired wrapping style and get a more accurate sense of how much ribbon you will need.

Double envelopes for silk ribbon

When it comes to wedding invitations, adding a luxurious silk ribbon can be a beautiful touch. But how much ribbon do you need, and what is the best way to calculate this?

Ribbon Length Calculation:

Firstly, it's essential to determine the length of ribbon required per invitation. The amount needed will depend on the style of ribbon finish you desire. Here are some common styles and their corresponding ribbon lengths:

• Invitation wrapped and closed with a wax seal: ~18 inches
• Tied in a knot: ~20 inches
• Tied in a bow: 24-30 inches

Double Envelopes:

Now, if you're using double envelopes, you'll need to consider the additional width of the outer envelope. This will affect the total length of ribbon required. Simply measure the circumference of both envelopes combined and adjust your ribbon length accordingly.

Spool Length:

When purchasing ribbon, it typically comes in spools. The standard spool lengths vary and can range from 3 yards to 32 yards. It's important to check the spool length when ordering to ensure you have enough ribbon for your invitations.

Calculating the Total Ribbon Required:

To calculate the total ribbon needed for your invitations, multiply the length of ribbon required per invitation by the number of invitations. Then, divide this number by the length of ribbon on each spool. This will give you the number of spools necessary to complete your project.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you have 100 invitations and you want to tie a bow around each double envelope. You measure the circumference, and it requires 28 inches of ribbon per invitation.

The calculation would be as follows:

• Ribbon length per invitation: 28 inches
• Total ribbon needed for 100 invitations: 28 inches x 100 = 2800 inches
• Spool length: 32 yards (384 inches)
• Number of spools required: 2800 inches / 384 inches per spool = approximately 7 spools

Additional Considerations:

It's always a good idea to order a little extra ribbon to account for any mistakes or last-minute additions. Leftover ribbon can be used for other decorative purposes or kept for future projects.

Additionally, consider the width of the ribbon. Standard ribbon widths range from 1/8 inch to 3 inches, and the appropriate width will depend on the look you're aiming for and the size of your invitations.

In conclusion, adding silk ribbon to your wedding invitations is a lovely way to enhance their elegance. By following the calculations outlined above, you can ensure you have enough ribbon to create the desired look for your special day.

Frequently asked questions