Step by Step Instructions on making a Box Braid!
Ready for something challenging? Then this is something for you! This is a box braid that I use on homecoming mums and garters. This will show you step by step how to make one. I will tell you this one was rather difficult to learn but well worth it once I had it down (it's my favorite braid!)
Supplies:
- 3 - #5 Ribbons 3 yards long each ribbon to make a 36" braid
- 3 - #5 Ribbons 1.5 yards each to make an 18" braid
Usually I use two of the same color and one ribbon of a different color. To make it easier to see where I am folding the ribbon, I have used 3 colors here.
Start with 1 ribbon (blue) on bottom and put white one on top of that going down at a right angle. The put 3rd ribbon (red) on top of the white one going out to the left. Kind of make a "T".
Starting this braid is the hardest part to get down because you have to force the ribbon to go the direction you want it to. After that it is a repetitive action.
First fold the right side - navy (make sure it is the ribbon on the bottom) up at an angle slightly over the other two ribbons. Holding that ribbon in place swing the red one on the left side over the navy one to the right. Try not to crease these ribbons, the key to this braid is keeping the ribbons a little bit loose.
Now this is where we are going to start getting into the repetitive stage. So, you should have the bottom ribbon (navy) going up and the top ribbon (red) going to the right side.
Now take the white ribbon and fold up (over the red ribbon) where it sits parallel with the bottom ribbon (navy). When I said before that the key is to keep the ribbon loose - this is where it matters most. When the ribbons are parallel leave about a 1/8" gap in between them.
So here we go!! The rhythm to remember is over and up over and up. You will alternate the ribbons in order (in this case it would always be navy, red, white, navy, red, white.
Over and up - take the bottom ribbon that is going up (navy ribbon) and fold across and to the left at a downward angle over the other two ribbons. Now take the ribbon on the right (red ribbon) and go up over the navy ribbon - parallel to the white ribbon (but see the little gap I was talking about below).
Over and Up! Now the ribbon on the left (white ribbon) go over at downward angle over the other two ribbons. Then Take bottom ribbon (navy) and go up parallel to the red ribbon. Now you should start feeling the trend. You always will take the parallel ribon that is on the bottom to go over the other ribbons, then you will take the ribbon that is on the bottom to go up parallel to the other ribbon - alternating.
Over and Up. Now you can see in the second picture how the braid is starting to take shape.
Keep going and staple it at the end - this is what it should look like
I hope this tutorial helps and remember not to get frustrated when you first start making these. These take alot of practice. I used to keep a short one next to my bed and while my husband watched TV at night I would practice unwinding it and rebraiding over and over. This was the hardest braid for me to learn but maybe it will be super easy for you!!!
NOW FOR FREE! Free Printable Step by Step Picture Tutorials for Single, Double, and Triple Mums and Garters with over 30 color photos in each! Click here and scroll to bottom of page and you will see the Free Printable Instructions!!
Thanks for looking and if this tutorial helped you please leave us a comment - we love to hear from you!!
Melissa
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