What in the world did we do before there was rickrack? The myriad uses of this notion made it a fabric
store staple before your grandmother was big enough to even sit at the sewing table. You probably
already know that you can applique a skirt with it, gather it into flowers for a crazy quilt, use it as
an edging on a pincushion or pillow, crochet around it and even incorporate it into nifty embroidery
designs.
But, did you know you can braid rickrack?
I almost feel silly sharing this “technique” with you, but when I first came across this treatment on a
vintage tablecloth in a thrift store, it was a real ah-ha moment for me. Sometimes the simplest ideas are
the hardest to come by.
The pictures really sum it up pretty well but I’ll tell you how to make braided ric rac just in case. Ok,
first, take a deep breath. Now, take two same-sized lengths of ric-rac, pin them together at the top and
wrap them around each other to form a candy cane pattern. I recommend pressing the final result just
to “set” the trim and get it to lie perfectly flat. Ok, that’s it – you’re done. Now you have an authentic
vintage detail for your next dress, skirt, apron or tablecloth! How’s that for easy sewing?
Dec 8, 2010, 09.13 PMby kraftykatina
Ack! I love ric-rac. Thanks for this idea : )
1 Reply
Dec 8, 2010, 09.15 PMby eringilday
You’re welcome Katina!
Dec 8, 2010, 08.33 PMby zilredloh
I love this post. But I wish there were links for the sources of all the images.
1 Reply
Dec 8, 2010, 09.07 PMby eringilday
Hi Zilredloh! Let’s see, here’s the sources I have on file…
- The vintage tablecloth I found here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/27464443/summer-sale-vintage-tablecloth-bright?ref=sr_list_15&ga_search_query=rick+rack&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_page=8&order=date_desc&includes0=tags&includes1=title
-The rainbow of rickrack I found here:
http://www.pieknits.com/blog/2007/04/
-The rickrack flower I found here:
http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/2007/10/quilt-market-report-4-demos-tips-and.html
-The pink rickrack trim I found here:
http://primrosedesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/rickrack-redux.html
-The braided rickrack images are my own
HTH! Thanks for reading!
Dec 8, 2010, 08.14 PMby hdk100
A-ha!!!! / ;) /
1 Reply
Dec 8, 2010, 08.25 PMby eringilday
I know, right?
Dec 8, 2010, 07.27 PMby sewlikeabee6
I like ric rac it is vintage, I have quite a bit of it and I am going to use it when I find some thing I can use it on. I us to see it on jean ,but now I do not see much of it at all, the stores still sell it. Thanks for the Vintage ric rac detail. IT will come in handy.
1 Reply
Dec 8, 2010, 08.03 PMby eringilday
Thanks, Bee! And ooo I’ve never seen this on jeans. Now THAT’s classy.
Dec 8, 2010, 06.43 PMby ellohdesign
very cool tip!
1 Reply
Dec 8, 2010, 08.02 PMby eringilday
Thanks!! It has always served me well. =)