Making your own korker ribbon?

[Lorijoz]

Last night I came across this website that shows how to make your own korker ribbon and bow. I tried to bake the ribbon in the oven like she says and I baked it for 45 min @ 250 degrees and it still never stiffened up. Should I be treating the ribbon with something first before baking it? The instructions I used are in the link below. Thanks
Just Another Army Wife: Korker Hairbow Tutorial!

[mistym03]

I dont think you do, that is odd it didnt stiffen maybe try an hour and see how that works?? Did it curl at all?? or it just fell out as soon as you took it off??

[Lorijoz]

It is loosely curled but it won't stay curled. I used 3/8 inch grosgrain ribbon. Does it matter that I have a gas oven?

[Lorijoz]

Thanks. Those instructions say some people achieve luck with spraying fabric stiffiner on it first. Has anyone tried this? I am afraid the ribbon will go up in flames. lol

[Wendy523]

I don't make a ton of korkers, but when I do I don't have any problems. I basically the same thing your instructions say. I have a gas oven. I've never had to bake it for more than 20 min to get the ribbon to curl. I only spray it to stiffen it after I've made my project with the ribbon. If it's not curling, or the curl comes right out, then something is wrong. You are using polyester ribbon, right?

[Wendy523]

wanted to add, spraying it before baking it is fine too. It won't go up in flames I've done that. I just don't like it so stiff until I am done with it, but then again, I don't do korker bows.

[Lorijoz]

I think my problem might be the ribbon. I am using grosgrain and maybe it isn't polyester. It is curling just loosely. I will also try spraying it with stiffener. Thanks

[cynthia]

lori, when i kork mine, i do not kork with the gaps (as per the link you gave, she korked with a gap). It'll be like next to each other, literally. No gaps.

ETA: I also kork it tightly around the dowel. Kinda like pull (ribbon), turn (the dowel), pull (ribbon). Kinda like when you weave a headband, it has to be tight. It's the same for me when I kork.

[Lorijoz]

Originally Posted by cynthia

lori, when i kork mine, i do not kork with the gaps (as per the link you gave, she korked with a gap). It'll be like next to each other, literally. No gaps.

ETA: I also kork it tightly around the dowel. Kinda like pull (ribbon), turn (the dowel), pull (ribbon). Kinda like when you weave a headband, it has to be tight. It's the same for me when I kork.

Thanks, I will try that. I tried the ribbon stiffener and it really helped but it turned my white dots on the ribbon yellow .

[Loelle]

Originally Posted by Lorijoz

Thanks, I will try that. I tried the ribbon stiffener and it really helped but it turned my white dots on the ribbon yellow .

I don't think that's from the starch. You need to bake printed ribbon at a lower temp or else it will mess up your dots.