My mailbox has been brimming with goodies this week! Good things come in small packages. Especially small 2 x 5-inch packages. Just look at all this. I feel like I won the lottery, or gone to rick-rack heaven at least. The incredibly talented LK Ludwig was kind enough to pass this along *just because* she knows my fondness for the stuff. And she also included a darling old simplicity pattern for cute stuffies! I haven't seen this one before. It sure is cute, is it not? All I can say is, I am really touched. Thank you so much! I don't know what it is I love about rick-rack, but it speaks to me in mysteriously happy ways. The packaging is always fun to examine too. Long-gone names like Boiltex (now Coats & Clark), Trimtex, and Cameo (my personal favorite from Lion Mills). Some sold for a mere 19c. Imagine that! I ask you just what wonderful thing can we buy today for 19c? Not even one button, I'm afraid. These older colors always seem easier on the eyes too. Most new rick-rack is made from polyester now, I think the cotton is nicer, just knowing that it was grown from the earth and not spun out of a recipe of chemicals, although I do succumb to poly when I have to. Gosh, I hate to open some of these and spoil their perfectly preserved packaging (some 50 years old). The red stripe and the navy dotty bias binding is especially sweet. I'm already imagining all sorts of things I can do with them.
I'm green with rick-rack envy! :)
What fun!
Posted by: Toni | March 26, 2006 at 04:50 PM
That is why I could never make anything, I liked how neat the packaging looked! I love to buy things and sale them, but use the laces, buttons, trims, beads...the first cut or use is impossible for me. I once bought a vintage wallpaper book, stacks and stacks of samples, wonderful romantic colors and design...I sold it because I couldn' use it other then to look at it ...I guess we each have our gift.
Posted by: Tongue in Cheek | March 26, 2006 at 11:48 PM
Lucky you! I was so disappointed to find the rick rack section of the notions department sold out except for the neon multi colored version. I'm having some rick rack withdrawls! I can remember my grandmother having lots of rick rack in her sewing stash, how I wish I had that now ;)
Posted by: beki | March 27, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Vicki, I'm so glad everything arrived safely and that you love your purchases. And thanks for the free publicity - I've gotten a couple of orders already as a result. Yay! I was never sure how trims and buttons would sell on-line, but they seem to be doing just fine. And flea-market season will be starting up soon - who knows what I'll find next :)
If anyone is looking for new rickrack in pretty colors (unlike the poor choices at Joann), may I suggest Elegant Stitches (www.elegantstitches.com/RickRack.htm). I bought some recently for tea towels I've been making and was really happy with the choices and service. I still wish they made it in more colors, but I'll take what I can get :)
Posted by: janet | March 27, 2006 at 07:43 AM
I have what is possibly a silly question. I recently found a garbage bag full of rick-rack, vintage lace and bias tape at a local thrift store. My question is, what do you do with bias tape? I have no idea and more of the stuff than I could ever possibly use!
me: oh you lucky duck! i'm sure many of us dream of finding such a bag at thrift like that! a garbage bag full is quite a lot too, but here are some suggestions for the bias tape. it's mostly used for finishing off the edges on things like aprons, potholders, quilts. you can make piping from wider tapes, and use it for pillows and edging on clothing necklines, cuffs, pockets. it also makes great ties for things when folded in half and stitched. baby bibs may also call for it.
anyone else have suggestions?
Posted by: misplacedpom | March 27, 2006 at 11:32 AM
I too love old rick rack, and I just (reluctantly) opened a few packages this past weekend (some of these were 10 cents!). It made me feel better when I saw the cute ideas that most had printed INSIDE the labels - how to embellish a shirt, make gift tea towels, one even had an apron pattern on it!
Thanks for sharing your prizes.
Posted by: Aurora | March 27, 2006 at 12:45 PM
These pics take me way back to my childhood and peering into my mother's and grandmother's sewing stuff. It would be very difficult for me to open the packaging and actually use the contents too. :D
Posted by: Von | March 27, 2006 at 01:38 PM
What a wonderful treasure of trimmings! I know, what is it about rick-rack that is so darned charming? Just looking at it makes me happy :)
Posted by: Cassi | March 27, 2006 at 03:13 PM
I love rick-rack, too! And, yes, the older colors and sizes are much more appealing. I agree w/ tongue and cheek--it's so hard to actually open the package and USE the trims. Carded buttons are the hardest for me to part with. Have fun with the trims!
Posted by: Tabitha | March 28, 2006 at 10:01 AM
I love old rick rack too! I only have a few packages. Our thrift stores in Hawaii have pretty slim pickings. I haven't used any yet - I can't bear to open them!
Posted by: Stacey | March 30, 2006 at 11:33 PM
I am with you on the rick rack love, I just received 50 packages of vintage rick rack today! Trimtex, Tidy-Trim, Wrights...but no loop braid as I see in your picture, that looks like fun stuff!
Posted by: Sasha | October 25, 2006 at 04:18 PM