How do you finish a sash? DIY advice

Are you planning on tying it around your waist ,so you end up with a bow and tails, or attaching it to your dress so it's not tied and with no bow? If the latter then it's a fairly easy task of just neatly tucking the ends under and heming them in and then lightly stitching the ribbon to where you want it to sit. If the former then I'd be inclined to cut at an angle and then hem the edges so that they don't fray. Some ribbon frays more than others too so worth having a good look at what the ribbon's actually like as you might not need to hem it - but I'd be inclined to hem it anyway..

I want tails on my sash. How do you hem it? I'm not great a sewing ? and I'm not quite sure how you'd do that?

Will be watching this tread with interest as I am very tempted to create a navy sash myself to change my look for the evening. But like Lisa I am no seamstress at all!! Not even sure the length I would need haha

Give us a flash of your progress!

To work out the length you need, take a long piece of string and tie it around your waist, wearing clothes of a similar bulk to your wedding dress, and tie a big bow. Cut the ends roughly to where you want your sash to end. Make sure you allow the bow loops to be big enough so they can represent what the sash bow would need. This piece of string is how much ribbon you need so just undo it and measure it. I'd add an extra half metre for good measure. You can always trim it - but you can't add it back on.

Then when it comes, tie the sash around your waist - make sure you wear something similar in bulk to your dress. When you've got your bow looking right - mark the ends of the ribbon and add an extra 1cm for the hem and cut at the angle you want.

To hem fold over 5mm once, then again and pin it in place. Then stitch it by hand in matching thread. Done.

hth x

If you cut the ribbonn at an angle then brush the edge with clear nail polish it will prevent fraying. It will make the end hard though so try ona scrap first to make sure you are happy.

You can also heat seal the ends by very carefully passing the cut edge of the ribbon near to a flame. It will melt the ends slightly and stop it from fraying.

Thanks everyone. Luckily my dress lady is making my sash now so I don't need to worry! ?