Is your ribbon organized? Well, mine wasn’t, I would put it in bags everywhere and when I needed a certain kind I would be digging through my craft closet to find what I needed. So…I was excited when I came up with this little idea all by my bitsy self. It didn’t cost a thing , I recycled an old basket that most people would have gotten rid of years ago because of it’s ugliness. I also recycled a big can that had Gatorade powder in it because I feel guilty throwing away a perfectly good can.
Have fun making this organizer!
Spooled Ribbon Organizer
If you don’t have a basket like this don’t worry a large shoe box will do (boot shoe box is great). Just make the amount of holes you need for your dowel rods. Don’t forget to make it cute and decorate the outside of the box.
As you can see not much to this project just get a few wood dowel rods and slide it through one of the holes then slide your ribbon on, put in the last hole and your done. What I love about it is the functionality of having the ribbon able to spin to get the amount you need.

Loose Ribbon Organizer

Now for #2 of my crafty idea on ribbon storage. What to do with all that loose ribbon that isn’t on a spool. Easily store it neatly in this recycled Gatorade or peanut can. Use whatever it is that you buy in bulk. Like lemonade, Slimfast, hot chocolate any of those cans will do. To decorate this can all I did was use scrapbook paper, double-sided tape and some ribbon.

To make the slits in the plastic lid(top) get your exacto knife or craft knife and make slits that are the same size as the ribbons you want to pull through. Caution the knife works very well so be careful not to cut too long of slits.
Shared this tip on We Are That Family’s WFMW tip party.









{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooh, Suzanne. Perfect I have loads of itty-bitty bits of ribbon that I can’t just bring myself to throw away because I know I will use them for something (?!). It is also a good excuse to go out and buy some tinned cashews!
Your a genius, I love this idea! I even have one of these baskets lying around! Thanks Suzanne!
thats a great idea! i did mine a few months back in a rubbermaid but it still gets messed up alot, will have to try this one out!!
Ugh!…Loose ribbon is the bane of my existence!
I use ribbon for so many of my craft projects/girls hair bows, etc. I too have tried the same organizing technique as Courtney but to no avail. Every time I want ribbon I have to go digging for it and inevitably it all gets jumbled up. I’ve seen the spools on dowels before but never in a basket.
This is so simple. Love it!
It was the bane of my exsistence too, glad it’s in the past now. I wanted my husband to come up with some kind of a spool thing for my ribbon but my list of things for him to do is large. So was glad I was able to come up with my own solution!
These are absolutely adorable and much needed at my house. Thanks for the great tip!
your welcome so glad you liked it
I totally need something like this. Thanks for the great ideas!
These are brilliant and simple. Thank you for the great ideas!!
K
Thanks for the positive comments hope it helps the ribbon situation!
Very clever! I like how you repurposed these things to be functional. I do have to organize my ribbon, but I have something to put it all in. It just got a little out of hand with Christmas and all the spools I bought.
Awesome Suzanne…thanks for the great ideas! You are helping me with one of my new year resolutions….get more organized!
I love this idea and I happen to have one of those very same baskets!!! I can’t wait to go get dowels.
thanks for this GREAT idea!!!
Love this idea – it’s a perfect solution for all my ribbon and laces (use tp and pt tubes to wind around) but instead of a laundry basket I can dedicate one tray from the IKEA Antonius rolling cart – Thank you for the inspiration!
Great idea to do this on your rolling cart! The basket is actually a small shelf basket but I can see why you might think it’s laundry basket.
I love your idea for the spooled ribbon organizer. I can wait to try it.
Oh yes. This is so helpful to me! I found one that used an old drawer from a desk or dresser, but I don’t have one and don’t want to buy one just to use a drawer. This is MUCH better and something I am going to do. Thanks for sharing!!!
the basket idea is so simple and practical for all the odd and end rolls of ribbon i have…thank you!
So cool! I’ll have to try the basket one. I happen to have some wooden dowels and a basket on hand! LOVE free projects. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is BRILLIANCE!!! I already have a basket like that so I’ll have to try it. Fantastic! Thanks! Kelly
I love it! I have my spooled ribbons organized, but not my loose ribbons. Right now they’re stuffed into a desk drawer. Thanks for the tip!
Blessings,
Michele
thank-you!!
I love the idea! Like all really good ones it’s simple and effective!
This is a good idea. I have lots of ribbon in lots of places…I noticed the one last night at RS. Thanks!
This is really smart, I have all kind of ribbon in a basket, thats really a mess. now I can get it really neat, Thanks Kay