5 Easy Ways of Organising Craft Ribbons

Ribbon. We all have it and we all love it — sometimes a little too much, if we’re being honest with ourselves. It's something that's probably been in our stash for a while now.. 

It’s soft, it’s pretty, it adds that perfect finishing touch to a layout, tag, card, or journal spread.

Out of everything that lives in a craft room, ribbon has to be one of the trickiest little troublemakers to organise. Those rolls come in every size known to mankind — tiny, chunky, wide, skinny, mysterious shapes that don’t fit anywhere — and trying to find one perfect storage solution for all of them is basically impossible. Add to that the fact that ribbon isn’t something most of us reach for every single day (unless you’re a dedicated bow-maker or just really love a dramatic flourish), and it becomes even harder to decide how accessible it needs to be.

Over the years, I’ve tried so many different ways of taming my ribbon stash. Some brilliant, some… well, let’s just say they didn’t survive the week. But little by little, I’ve found some clever methods that actually work, and I’ve recently refined my system again to make it even easier to use.

So, if you’re staring at your growing collection wondering how on earth to keep it neat, tidy, and ready when inspiration strikes — don’t worry. I’ve got some unique ideas that will help you get your ribbon under control.

So today, I'm sharing a few ideas on how I have organised my smaller pieces of ribbons - the pieces that are not on a spool.  I’ve got some fun, unique, and totally doable ways to organise them so you can keep creating without the chaos.

1. Using Paddle Pop Sticks

If you saw a post on Facebook recently, I shared a photo of how I turned my scraps of ribbons which were stuffed in a plastic container and transformed them into a little jar of organised ribbon.

Wrapping ribbon around a paddle pop stick is such a simple, satisfying little trick, but my goodness it makes a massive difference. All those loose lengths, the offcuts, the trims that have somehow formed a knot the size of a tennis ball… suddenly they’re neat, tidy, and adorably organised.

Just grab a stick (small or large) and anchor one end of the ribbon with a tiny piece of washi tape (cute AND practical, we love that), and then wrap the ribbon nice and snug around the stick. When you get to the end, secure it with a tiny pin. 

You can sort them by colour or by type.  Pop them into a jar, a small basket, a drawer, or even a little divided tray, and suddenly your stash looks intentional and organised. 

2. Mason Jar “Ribbon Stuffers”

For those of us who love storage that doubles as décor, this one’s a total win 💕

Take all those loose ribbon lengths, trims, and lace pieces and tuck them into mason jars sorted by colour. Not only does it keep everything neat and easy to grab, but it also creates the most gorgeous colour-blocked display. 

Pop the jars on a shelf, windowsill, or craft table and suddenly your craft room feels calmer, more organised, and beautifully styled. It’s practical, pretty, and a brilliant way to see what you actually have — which means you’ll use it more. Storage that makes you smile every time you walk in? 

3. The “Card Wrap” Method

Grab some old playing cards and spray with tea dye. Wrap the lace around.  Store them upright in a recipe box or drawer. This is PERFECT for junk journalers who collect small lengths, trims, lace… all the beautiful odds and ends. 

You could also cut a notch into the top and bottom of the card. I used a Tab Punch to cut a piece out of the top and bottom of the card. I covered them with some Tattered Angels Mist Sprays (which I am trying very hard to use up). Stenciled on some texture paste. (Just because I could) and wound the trim around the card and finally secured it with a pin.

4. Vintage Pegs for Loose Ribbon

If your stash includes short ribbon pieces, paint some old-fashioned wooden pegs (or leave them plain), wind the ribbon around the peg and clip the ends with a small pin or adhesive tape. 

Pop them in a bowl, jar, basket — whatever suits your style — and boom: organised and adorable.

These little pegs below I made for one of our Craft Retreats and everyone just loved the idea.

5.  Wool and Trims on a Decorated Tag. 

There’s magic in the details, and nothing says “crafted with love” quite like a tag wrapped in colored wool, trim and ribbons. A simple kraft or cardstock tag becomes a miniature work of art when accented with strands of soft cotton trims, a sparkling brad and a shabby flower. These tags have also been painted with inks and again, I stenciled on some texture paste.  

Use pieces of ribbons and lace and cut a tag out of plain cardstock. (This is a great way of using up some leftover pieces of card). Wrap your ribbon around the tag and secure with a glue dot or pin. You could also finish with a brad and raffia. These make for the cutest display of some of your favourite laces and ribbons. 

This ribbon tag has a cute yellow pom pom, white lace and hand dyed peach muslin. There are also pieces of flower/bead lace attached to the front. I couldn't resist adding a dragonfly brad to this tag! So sweet.

             

            

Keeping your ribbons organised doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you use boxes, tags, boards, rings, or clever DIY solutions, the key is finding a system that works for your space and your crafting style. 

A tidy ribbon stash not only saves time but makes creating even more enjoyable — because when everything is easy to find, your creativity can truly flow. Try one (or a few!) of these ideas and watch your craft space transform from cluttered to inspiring.

I'll be back again soon with another five easy ribbon storage ideas. 

Keep it crafty and stay sparkly,

Til next time,
Julie ✂️✨

P.S. Go ahead and give that QR code a little tap (or scan it with your phone—either way works like a charm!) and come join our Facebook crafty community. It’s a cozy little corner of the internet where inspiration flows, ideas are shared, and creative hearts connect. We’d absolutely love to welcome you in! 💬🎨,

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