The Mom Touch

May Day: DIY Ribbon Lei

Growing up in Hawaii, you learn to give leis for every event.  Graduation is probably the biggest one, with graduates receiving so many leis that you can’t even see the top of their head.  Another big day for leis is May 1.  Also known as May Day in Hawaii.  There’s even a song: May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.  Of course, there are so many beautiful flowers to choose from when making leis.  But there is also the ever-popular ribbon lei.  These have gotten so fancy and detailed.  Here’s a tutorial on how to make a simple two-color ribbon lei (a popular option as people often make them in school colors).  

You will need ...

  • 2 Different Colors of Ribbon, 3/8″ or 9 mm wide, and about 5 feet long.
  • Scissors

NOTE – this method does not require you to cut off the ribbon from the spool.  This allows you more flexibility with length.

Step One

NOTE: To make this easier to understand in written directions, I am using color names for the ribbons so you know which ribbon is supposed to be doing what.  

Take the two ends together and tie them in a knot, leaving at least 4-5 inches of a tail at the end.

Step Two

Holding the ribbons with the tail close to you and the loose ends away, form a loop with each ribbon.  Be sure to loop the ribbon up and over towards the back (versus up and over towards the front) so the tail is behind.  

Step Three

Then, tuck the blue loop through the green loop.  Once its gone through, gently tug on the tail of the green loop to tighten.  Do not tighten too much.  You want the ribbons to stay flat and not get scrunched.  If the ribbons are scrunched, they are too tight.

Step Four

Once the green loop is gently tightened, take the tail of that green ribbon and bring it up and over towards the front (not the back) and form a loop.  Then take that green loop and tuck it through the blue loop.  

Step Five

Then, gently tighten the blue loop.  

Step Six

At this point, you will repeat step four but with the opposite ribbons. So, once the blue loop is gently tightened, take the tail of that blue ribbon and bring it up and over towards the front (not the back) and form a loop.  Then take that blue loop and tuck it through the green loop.  

Step Seven

You will now repeat the steps from 4-6 over and over again until you reach the desired length.  When you think you have reached that length, test it out by holding the ends together to form the lei and hanging it from your neck.  If it is good, proceed to the next step.

Step Eight

When you are ready to close off the lei, you will carefully lay the lei down and snip off the end of the ribbon, leaving about 8-10 inches for a decorative tail.  Then, instead of inserting the loop into the other loop, you will pull the ribbon all the way through, thus making a knot.  Pull gently to tighten so you do not ruin your lei.  

Step Nine

Then, you will use the long tails to tie the end of the lei to the start of the lei.  

Step Ten

Finally, if you have ribbon left over, cut about 18″ of both colors.  Tie them around the knot to add some decoration.  And you’re all set!  

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