To make a ribbon lei, the amount of ribbon you need depends on the length you want and the height of the person who will wear it. Here are the general guidelines:
- For an average or shorter person (around 5 feet tall), use about 10 yards of each color of ribbon.
- For a taller person (around 6 feet tall or more), use 12 yards or more of each color of ribbon.
- A typical finished lei length is about 40 inches (a little over 3 feet), but you can adjust the length by using more or less ribbon or changing how tightly you braid it
If you are making a lei with two colors, you will need two spools of ribbon, each with the appropriate yardage. For example, two 10-yard spools for a shorter person or two 12-yard spools for a taller person. For leis with more ribbons (like 3 or 4 ribbons), you will need more ribbon accordingly
. Ribbon width commonly used is about 1/4 inch for ease of braiding, but you can also use wider ribbons depending on your design preference
. In summary:
- Use 10 yards of each ribbon color for average height (about 5 feet).
- Use 12 yards or more for taller individuals (6 feet or more).
- Two colors require two spools; more ribbons require more yardage.
- Finished lei length is typically about 40 inches but can be customized
This amount allows you to create a braided ribbon lei that is well-sized and visually full for gifting or celebration.
