Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

[turfwriter]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

Polly, you might also consider looking into the Fashion Sewing Group (http://members.tripod.com/NE_fashionsewing/fsgnotions.html); I understand that someone in that group sells a type of Petersham, although I'm not certain of its composition.

I suspect that you might have a better chance of finding true cotton Petersham through the UK fabric shop/milliners' websites, some of which pop up on a google search.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Laurel Scott
Union Bridge, MD

[Drygoods]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

Mrs. Mescher,
I'd still bet my left arm that grosgrain ribbon existed during the CW. I started to go through my papers again, but since I have so many copies, it will take some time. Milliner's ads were what I was speaking from. The funny thing about reading period books, magazines, and papers is that you come across things and find them interesting but do not 'clue in' to the idea that they are unusual.....later on it turns up that someone wants to know 'just where' you read it and you can't find that page without starting all over again. It may take a bit, but I'll do my best.:D

[acwillen]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

At the risk of muddying the discussion...

On a lark I ran a search just now and found this. It's described as "petersham edge with a very fine grosgrain weave", comes in very wide widths, and is silk/cotton - obviously the picture isn't much help, but is this possibly in the right direction?

http://www.theribbongardner.com/ribbonstore/agora.cgi?cart_id=2649746.22133*Ez83J7&product=RIBBON_GGSilkWarp

http://tinyurl.com/ytmuhy

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

Mrs. Mescher,
I'd still bet my left arm that grosgrain ribbon existed during the CW. I started to go through my papers again, but since I have so many copies, it will take some time. Milliner's ads were what I was speaking from.

I'm not saying the gros grain ribbon didn't exist during the CW since I did find mention of it in Paris fashions in 1864 but from the advertisements and fashion comments, I was finding on the East coast, it did not appear again until 1868.

Since you are reading West Coast advertisements, it is entirely reasonable that the gros grain ribbon made it around to the West Coast from Europe. I appreciate your being willing to take the time to look for the citations and share your documentation. I'm always glad to add some new tidbits to my files.

[turfwriter]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

Interesting find, Mr. Willenbring -- thanks so much for sharing that!

What's curious about that ribbon is the widths in which it's available; far too wide for belts, but no doubt useful for other things. If only we could see the edges and the grain up close ... :)

Laurel Scott
Union Bridge, MD

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

The site describes this ribbon as "vintage" and, based on the width, I suspect it is new stock left over from the late 19th or early 20th century when it was used for millinery. It's lovely stuff.

[Ginger Lane]

Re: Uses for grosgrain ribbon?

Woo-hoo, something in my backyard! The Ribbon Gardner has been in Arlington for as long as I can remember, and I'm very glad that she's not online. If anyone has specific questions I can probably make a detour that way one day and try to find it. She's got a LOT of old stock. I've never had time to really dig through everything, but I still remember finding some wide warp-printed ribbons once. I don't know if they're still there, but it wouldn't surprise me. I've mainly gone because of the wide variety in velvet ribbon, colors and widths, that she has.