Some crafters use hot glue like they are getting kickbacks on the stuff. Maybe they are. But it's not the best adhesive in every situation. First of all it shows. It may dry "clear" but it's is still very evident. For example, that lovely apple wreath I made has gobs of it on the back to hold that letter in place. If you look askance at the apples, you can see it there too. But it is really good for gluing big lightweight stuff to other big lightweight stuff where the bigness will cover the glue-ness.Fabric, including silky ribbon, isn't that. I thought it was a bad choice. (It's always a bad choice for me personally. I mean anyone who has been reading long enough has read about a hand injury or six that I've given myself. And it's hot. It's hot for a long time.)
Quick glue gun story. I once left mine on for months. I made something, must have been in a rush. Finished gluing and then left the craft room. Into which I rushed only on occasion to get my clothes and shoes. Finally one day I turned on the radio and noticed two things were plugged into the wall. And there was the little glue gun still on. Not even sitting in a pile of hot glue. Nothing. Of course, when I went to use the glue gun to make the apple wreath, I had to extract great gobs of burnt glue from the nozzle. How awesome that little thing didn't burn down my house! How horrible that little thing burns me every time I turn it on. It's a love-hate relationship with us.
Back to the craft-of-the-day. I'm throwing it away once I pry that rhinestone button from the center. I do have 1.5" satin ribbon, so I may try again. Definitely with fabric glue too. Or, you know, needle and thread, which also seems to create connections between pieces of fabric.