We recently had the sublime pleasure of visiting Masterstroke and meeting ribbon collector Steven Fraser in his packed-to-the-rafters room of gorgeousness. Arranged by colour with the vintage spools tucked into a cupboard for safe keeping, the room at Fraser’s family’s industrial warehouse has a Santa’s workshop feel and it was hard to focus on Fraser when we were surrounded by so many different, amazing types of ribbon and embellishment. From silk to grosgrain, organza’s to novelty ribbons, one of the four of us was constantly pointing out something new. It’s no wonder that Fraser has been so successful with his business, which he started in order to supply his own wedding with ribbon, he definitely knows how to let his product speak for itself!

We were there to see the space but we had also arranged for Fraser to demonstrate his essential bow, something we thought would come in very handy over the holidays. Especially if you’re a person who loves to wrap as much as you like to shop, this is a great DIY for the holidays but also for gift giving in general.

a) Hold the ribbon on the top centre of the gift box with a fish tail remaining long enough for one loop of the bow. Wrap the ribbon around the box, at the cross point turn the ribbon at a 90° angle. b) Wrap around the box bringing the ribbon back to the top of the box. c) Wrap the end of the ribbon over and under the result of (a+b) to form a cross. d) Tie the fish tails in either a loop bow or in a shoelace bow and garnish with trim. For added security, knot the ribbon prior to tying the bow.