Trusted Grosgrain Ribbon Source

**kiltedrennie** · 5th August 13, 10:28 AM

I'm looking for a trusted online source for grosgrain ribbon for bonnet construction. I need 1.5"/4cm wide ribbon.

The ribbon available to me locally, although washable and advertised for garment construction, isn't very comfortable. It's 100% polyester. I asked about petersham ribbon, but that drew a blank. I checked for a local millinery supply and couldn't find one.

After putting in 20 hours of knitting with really nice yarn I'd rather not cheapen the work with synthetic ribbon.

Thanks!

**SemperFyffe** · 5th August 13, 02:09 PM

I get mine from the following source:

https://www.judithm.com/catalog/petersham-ribbon

This is "petersham ribbon" and is made of a cotton rayon blend. It is very soft and comfortable after washing HOWEVER being cotton, the cut edges can fray pretty easily if you don't use fray check. AND it is much more expensive than grosgain from other sources. I use the petersham for the head band and use grosgain for the bow and cockade. Good luck. Have you ventured out into hose yet?

**Aspiringloser** · 5th August 13, 02:30 PM

What he said. I ordered this stuff too. I don't put tails on mine but I'd probably make the cockade from unwashed grosgrain if I ever get around to making one. This petersham makes a fine headband.

**kiltedrennie** · 5th August 13, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the link and recommendation! Ordered some black and the sampler.

All things being equal, would you use this instead of grosgrain for the cockade? The polyester grosgrain cockade looks pretty good.

I'm pretty close to choosing a hose pattern. I've been told to start at the toe rather than the top. Rather than complicate things with a cable knit pattern, I think I'll go with something simple.

**Aspiringloser** · 5th August 13, 06:33 PM

If I were going to make a cockade from the petersham, I would likely not wash the length I'd be using for the cockade.

**Dixiecat** · 5th August 13, 07:43 PM

Here's a very good source for the difference between petersham and grosgrain:
http://www.afashionablestitch.com/20...-vs-grosgrain/

Petersham is an absolute must for those curved edges like bonnet bands. Where grosgrain will pucker, petersham will shape due to the unlocked edges. It'll make for softer looking cockades as well.

In my opinion, if you're spending the 20hours to knit a bonnet with good yarn, then go all the way and use the petersham. Definitely one of those touches that make the difference.

**kiltedrennie** · 6th August 13, 08:43 AM

Thanks, everyone. I'll definitely use petersham for the band. I won't have to worry about edge fraying with the way the band is sewn. I think the finished edge on grosgrain is better for the ribbon and cockaid.

Now if I can just find a source of cotton/rayon grosgrain...