Here is a neat and attractive way to keep all of those rolls of gift wrapping ribbon together, organized and convenient to use.
Materials:
box with lid*
eyelets (grommets)
eyelet tool (tool for inserting grommets)
decorative paper to cover box
small hammer or rubber mallet
double-sided adhesive tape or stick glue
hole punch or awl
scissors
pencil
ruler
newspaper or craft paper for pattern - optional
*The box can be one with a hinged lid or lift-off type. Our box had a lift-off lid and was a white gift box purchased from a craft store for $2.99. Many shoeboxes that can be had for the asking at shoe stores would work as well. The important thing is to get a sturdy box that is large enough to hold the largest roll of ribbon.
Steps:
1. Measure the diameter of the largest roll of ribbon. This is how high the box needs to be. If you have only one or two very large rolls but many of a smaller size, it might be more practical to make the box for the smaller rolls and make a standing holder for the large rolls (see suggestion at end of the directions). The box should be long enough to accommodate many rolls. Any extra room can be filled with a piece of cardboard to hold the loose rolls in place.
2. Cut a piece of selected paper large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the box plus at least an extra inch on each side. Place the paper wrong side up on tabletop and position the box in the center (figure A). Draw around the bottom of the box. Turn it on its right side and trace (figure B). Repeat this process on the left side and each end (figure C). Add one inch to the top edge of each of the measurements. Add one-half inch to each end of the side panel measurements (figure D). Cut out.
3. Cover the box with the paper (figure E). Fold up the long side edges first and fold the extending side flaps over the end of the box and glue to hold. Fold and glue or tape down the extending top flaps into the inside of the box. Cover the top of the box in the same manner.
4. When the box and box top are covered, place the rolls of ribbon in the box to see how many rolls will fit and the width of each roll (figure F). This will tell you how many holes will be needed for the ribbon to poke through and how far apart they need to be. Write these measurements down. Remove the ribbon rolls.
5. With a ruler placed along the outside edge of the box and 2-1/2 inches down from the top, mark small dots along the outside edge to indicate where the holes should be made. Be certain that these are below where the lid will cover when it is placed on the box.
6. Punch a hole at each of the pencil marks. I usually use the pointed end of a compass but an ice pick, an awl or a hole-punching tool can be used. If the hole needs to be slightly larger, insert a pencil or knitting needle. Be certain that the holes are the same size or slightly smaller than the eyelets (grommets) you will be using.
7. Insert an eyelet into the first hole. Turn box on its side on a piece of wood or cutting board. Using the eyelet tool and small hammer, pound the eyelet into place. Do not pound so hard that you push it through the cardboard. Repeat with remaining eyelets.
8. Place ribbon in box and pull the end of each ribbon through the matching eyelet (figure G). Place the top in position and glue a wooden ruler to the top of the box for handy measuring (figure H).
Note: If the box is wide enough and there are more rolls of ribbon left, punch more holes on the opposite side of the box and insert another row of ribbon.
Tip: Stack large rolls of ribbon on a dowel that has been inserted into a block of wood. This is similar to a paper towel holder (figure I).
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