These beautiful Italian designer-inspired handbags are created from elegant grosgrain ribbon. Instructions for making them are in the now out of printFashion's Finishing Touches or separately for $3.50.

Some refer to true grosgrain ribbon as Petersham. It is also known as hatting grosgrain. The typical grosgrain you find in fabric stores is not the real thing; it is an embossed polyester ribbon, identified by its straight edge. True grosgain has a scalloped edge created as the ribbon is woven. This allows it to be steamed and shaped to match the curve of the waist.

True grosgrain is available through our mail order department in 7/8" or 3" widths. The narrow width is available in black, charcoal, navy, pale brown and beige; 3" width is in black, navy, charcoal, light gray, dark brown, chocolate, red and ivory.

To substitute this easy finish for the waistband, simply serge or clean finish the top of your pants or skirt, then overlap true grosgrain about 3/8" over the edge on the right side, and edgestitch it in place. Fold and press it to the inside leaving about 1/4" of the top of the garment above the ribbon so it doesn't show on the right side. (The original 5/8" stitching line would be the foldline.) Steam it to shape and match the top edge of the garment. Then just stitch in the ditch of the garment's seams or darts to anchor it to the inside. Tuck under the ends and tack the ends to the zipper edges. The zipper could go all the way to the top, and/or secure it with a hook and eye closure.

Home

Next page

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001. Nancy Erickson Consulting