Diamondback Ribbon Weaving Instructions

The Diamondback Braid is Commonly Used in Homecoming Mums

The diamondback pattern has long been used with leather to weave whip handles and other horse tack.

More recently it has been showing up on Homecoming Mum Corsages done with ribbons. Though it looks like it would be difficult to do, it's really quite easy.

I recommend you practice the diamondback technique using a core. When you are comfortable with the movements, you can graduate to doing it freeform if you wish. The one in the photo was done around a core. The core is easily slipped out when you are done.

The picture above shows the finished braid ready to be tied off, trimmed and embellished as desired before attaching to the Homecoming Mum Corsage backing shield.

Diamondback Weave Materials

Two contrasting colored ribbons three and a half times the desired finished length (For Homecoming Mum Corsages, the school colors are traditionally used.)

A thin pole to use as a core (I used a pole from a small 4th of July flag. If using a thicker pole, you will need more than three and half times the finished length.)

Rubber band

Paper clip and pinch clip - optional

How to Weave the Diamondback Braid

Fold the ribbons in half and drape them over the tip of the core so that they hang down like on a Maypole. The colors must alternate: color 1; color 2; color 1; color 2. Secure the ribbons at the top with the rubber band.

Arrange the strands so that color 1 is on one side and color 2 is on the other. Hold the color 1 strands in one hand and the color 2 strands in the other.

The left and right hand movements are the same, so it doesn't matter which you start with. Just alternate doing the movement with one hand and then the other. Back and forth ... back and forth ... like a shuttle on a loom.

Drop the top strand of color 1 behind the pole. Use fingers of the other hand to grab the loose strand and bring onto the other side and up between the stands of color 2, then back to the original hand (only now it's the bottommost strand).

In the same manner, drop the top strand of color 2. Bring it across the back of the pole, up between the strands of color 1 and back to the original hand.

As you're weaving, you may find this little mantra to be helpful:

"Drop the top [1] and come between [2].
Drop the top [2] and come between [1]."

... over and over until you're done.

If you run out of pole before the braid is as long as you want it, slip the rubber band off the tip of the pole. Slide the braid partially off to reveal more of the pole again.

Replace the rubber band with a paper clip. Clamp a pinch clip onto the braid where it still covers the pole to hold it in place. Continue weaving.

For more ribbon weaves, homecoming mums supplies and do-it-yourself instructions, visit our Homecoming Mums Section.