How many ribbons should a homecoming mum have?
You'll need at least two different types of ribbons, a wide ribbon for the background and a contrasting ribbon for the top. I'm actually using three ribbons because for my loops I'm layering a see through silver ribbon on top of the solid white ribbon.
~Full length LONG mum streamers are cut 34-36" long and the total length of a single flower mum is about 43-44". Standard flower size is 6.5".
Finally, for the mum head, remember if you're not using acetate, you'll want WIRED ribbon. You'll need a minimum of about 48 inches for loops and a minimum of 60 inches for points, for a total of about 108 inches of wired, or about 9 yards of wired ribbon.
The Industry Standard in Homecoming Mum Ribbon. 1 5/16" x 100 yards Acetate Satin Ribbon.
Mums, it turns out, are a very specific tradition, popular only in Texas (and parts of Oklahoma) and are huge, ginormous corsages.
Cut 18- to 24-inch lengths from assorted ribbon in your school's colors. Approximately 15 ribbons will make a nice, full base, but you can attach as many as you like. Arrange as desired and staple one end of each along a five-inch length on the edge of a second backer.
Like a typical corsage/boutonnière exchange, a girl will typically buy her date's garter and a boy will buy his date's mum, although oftentimes parents will buy them for their sons and daughters. For the people of Texas, homecoming mums and garters are definitely folk objects.
Mums are considered a token of affection — typically given to a girl by her date in honor of homecoming celebrations. Traditionally, students will wear a mum to school on homecoming Friday, the football game, and other alumni events.
Step 5: Assembling the Main Ribbon Base
Green, white, green, white...... Staple onto a second 6" diameter card, nearly up to the center hole. You should have 10 ribbons total.
What is the average cost for a homecoming mum? In 2023 the average cost for a homecoming mum is between $75 and 500+. Depending on what you want your mum to look like and who's making it, or where you're buying your supplies.
How much ribbon do you need per bow?
You will need about 4 yards of ribbon for the bow and another piece long enough to fit around your gift package and tie a simple knot. You will also need to have a 4 inch piece of florist wire or a metal twist tie. If you use florist wire, cut it before you start to tie your bow and keep it where you can reach it.
- 1 mum flower.
- 3 single backers.
- 1 pipe cleaner.
- 25 yards of ribbon.
- Centerpiece.
- Staples.
- Glue sticks.
- Glue Gun.

That is the cut length before they are attached to the mum backer. Once they are attached to the backers, they may measure 28-30″ from the bottom of the flower(s). Once the flower is added, with it's backer, the total length could be 36 to 45” On an average height girl, it will reach her shins.
Mums are made with the spirit colors of the high school, and often the addition of silver or gold if it's not an official color. Black is often added as an accent color to silver schools. Senior mums are white and usually the metallic color of the school, silver or gold.
Ribbons are worn in order of precedence from the wearer's right to left, in one or more rows, with either no space between rows or 1/8-inch space between rows. No more than four ribbons are worn in any one row. Soldiers will not start a second row unless they are authorized to wear four or more ribbons.
From freshman to senior year, students are expected to outdo themselves each year in the grandiosity of their mums. Homecoming mums today typically include a large flower centerpiece with tons of ribbons, charms, cowbells, jingle bells, stuffed animals, and even LED lights.
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