How To Wrangle That Ribbon

This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in January 2015.

There’s good reason behind why January is associated as the month for organization – I can’t speak for everyone, but the whirlwind of the holiday season kind of left my home in a state of chaos.

Now, I’m not the first to invent or suggest the idea of storing your ribbons or wrapping paper on a dowel (hanging curtain rods on your wall and putting a tension rod in a closet are preached examples), but if you don’t want to permanently install a ribbon storage mechanism, maybe because you rent, maybe because you don’t have the space to spare, I’ve got an easy, awesome,containable idea for you.

The beauty of using the Ultra™ plastic bin from Sterilite is that it comes with circular perforations on all sides, which are the perfect size for a common 5/16″ wooden dowel. If you want to use a plastic bin product that isn’t this exact model, create a simple template and drill out 5/16″ holes on either side, so that the dowels can slide through evenly.

If you happen upon a smaller dowel, you can still use it, but to prevent it from slipping out of place, drill through each end and add a cotter pin (or in a pinch, a bobby pin!).

I tossed a pair of scissors and tape into the bottom to maximize it’s all-in-one-ness, so I can pick up the whole kit and have everything I need all in one place. Pat-pat on back. This is the most organized my ribbons have ever been, and it’ll be an easy system to adapt and maintain as the inventory changes.

Enjoy more tips for getting your wrapping and crafting materials organized in these articles:

• Organizational Ideas from The Carol Duvall Show
• Tips for Craft Room Organization
• Creative Organization Tips from Linda Watson’s Craft Room