Using ribbon - how to finish the ends off?

[Sandy22]

I want to run a band of ribbon straight across the bottom of my 12x12 SB page. How do I finish off each end? Should I wrap it around the back of the page or should I just cut an exact 12'' length? Will it fray over time?

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I cut the ribbon a little bigger than 12 inches and wrap it around the back!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

depends on the look I want- Usually I wrap around the back but I also have ended it on front

 

[nicurn]

I will wrap it around the back, but when I made tags for my altered calendar, I bought something at joann's to seal the ends so that they wouldn't fray... now if I could just remember what the heck it was called... I'll have to look later. worked pretty well though. maggie

 

[DiznEeyore]

I will wrap it around the back, but when I made tags for my altered calendar, I bought something at joann's to seal the ends so that they wouldn't fray... now if I could just remember what the heck it was called... I'll have to look later. worked pretty well though. maggie

You're probably talking about Fray-Chek. My only issue with it is sometimes it discolors what you're "chek-ing".

This topic was discussed a while back at 2Peas, and a lot of people use a match to quickly "seal" the ends of a ribbon. I've never tried it myself but dozens of people swore it works great!

 

[nicurn]

I think I saved that thread actually. I also remember thinking to myself that I would be the one to catch my scrap room on fire or something. needless to say, haven't tried it. I haven't had any discoloration with fray check, but I've only used it a few times. maggie

 

[Sandy22]

Could I use clear nail polish to prevent it from fraying? Do you think that would show up on the ribbon?

 

[piratesmate]

I'd think the clear nail polish would be visible judging by what happens when you use it on nylons.

 

[Twigs]

I have used clear nail polish on cottons, I just touch the end of the ribbon to the brush lightly to seal the very ends of the ribbon, and it is barely visible. For synthetic material the flame thing works great. The end of the material gets a fine bead on it as you are actually melting it. I usually use a candle though, not a match.