Ribbon source

TheDane · Jun 18, 2015

moehawk said:
I have purchased cotton/rayon blend grosgrain ribbon from The Ribbon Retreat online. You have to go to the commercial part of the site, look hard to find it, but they offer all widths and colors made by Schiff ribbon co here in America (1/8" -1 1/2", lots of colors). Only bummer is you have to get a 50 yard spool, and buy a 35 dollar minimum.

Are you quite sure, it's the right pattern? I doubt it. Schiff's pattern for gents' felt hats is "50-7005" - but as I see it, they only offer that in black and in widths from 4''' (3/8") to 22''' (2"). I remember from an earlier discussion here on TFL, that Schiff will make the 50-7005 pattern - but only if you buy 7,000 yards of a particular color/width.

Rodney · Jun 18, 2015

I know nothing about these guys but given the age of the company and that they're still here it's might be worth checking with them.
http://www.ribbonfactory.com/about.html
They may even have some old stock laying around.
Rodney

moehawk · Jun 19, 2015

When I ordered the ribbon from Ribbon Retreat, I did so because the nice lady that answered the phone at Schiff told me tgat they couldn't sell to me without a resale number, but Ribbon Retreat carried all their products, including cotton/rayon grosgrain available to all without the need of a resale number. I then called RR, spoke with another nice lady who showed me where to find it on their commercial side of the site. So, I'm pretty sure it's Schiff's product. And, it is te hard-edge grosgrain, not the scalloped edge petersham.

moehawk · Jun 19, 2015

Here's a pic of spool of ribbon:

TheDane · Jun 19, 2015

That is Schiff's pattern #705, which is quite a lot thicker and not nearly as soft/flexible as the #50-7005. You can use it, but it's more difficult to work with, and the look and sheen is not nearly as nice. Your neighbour probably won't notice, though

If you call them again, try to ask if the black I linked to is #50-7005. That's my best guess.

moehawk · Jun 19, 2015

I thought it was a bummer to have to order 50 yards....

I see the difference now, I'm just glad to have found something better than polyester. It would be nice to have specialty hatter's ribbon, but 7000 yards...sheesh! I'll make do with this stuff. It's not all that hard to work with.

moehawk · Jun 19, 2015

Oh, wait, just looked at that link aain and saw it was in 50 yard spools... thats what I get for not looking at the whole page. With my lousy eyesight I have to zoom so close often times I miss important stuff by not scrolling...

LuvMyMan · Jun 19, 2015

Just get into Etsy, search for vintage grosgrain ribbon. You can find some darn nice ribbon from the 1930's and older, some from Europe, some from the USA. I have purchased a few times from Etsy, and have no problems with any of it. Good vintage ribbon will "swirl" like butter, that is what helps you know it is easy to work with. And none of the sellers want you to buy a large "yardage" for what they sell.

ChrisT · Jun 19, 2015

Is it really hard to find cotton grosgrain in the USA?
I buy mine in France or in Germany and I find plenty of colors (ok mostly dark colors)
Sometime I'm lucky and I find vintage grosgrain and it cost nearly nothing

ScaryWoody · Jun 19, 2015

I just ordered some "vintage" ribbon from this Ebay seller http://http://stores.ebay.com/gracefuljack/

I have yet to receive the ribbon (due tomorrow), so I can't yet comment on quality.

Frunobulax · Jun 19, 2015

LuvMyMan said:
Just get into Etsy, search for vintage grosgrain ribbon. You can find some darn nice ribbon from the 1930's and older, some from Europe, some from the USA. I have purchased a few times from Etsy, and have no problems with any of it. Good vintage ribbon will "swirl" like butter, that is what helps you know it is easy to work with. And none of the sellers want you to buy a large "yardage" for what they sell.

What she said. I've ordered from a few Etsy shops, and received very nice product. They are willing to sell you a couple of yards only, too.

ChicagoWayVito · Jun 21, 2015

Has anyone tried the ribbon from Winchester Hat Company? You do have to buy in 50 yard spools but interested in knowing if it is good to work with.

TheDane · Jun 21, 2015

ChicagoWayVito said:
Has anyone tried the ribbon from Winchester Hat Company? You do have to buy in 50 yard spools but interested in knowing if it is good to work with.

Never tried ribbon bought at Winchester (I think). Have you tried to ask, what brand and pattern(s) they are selling?

Brad Bowers · Jun 21, 2015

I've been buying felt from Winchester for 8 or 9 years now, and never realized they sold ribbon. Wow. I wouldn't be surprised if it was from Lawrence Schiff Mills. I suspect Schiff is the only one making hatband in the US, as far as I know.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor

Rabbit · Jun 21, 2015

Etsy is the place to look for vintage ribbon. Regarding quality, Tony B said it all.

I still have lots of vintage grosgrain ribbon left if someone needs any. It's the good stuff in black and subtle colors (greys, silver, browns, burgundy, forest etc.), mostly wide ribbons.

Here's an older post of mine in the Classifieds. There's still some left of each type.

ChicagoWayVito · Jun 23, 2015

TheDane said:
Never tried ribbon bought at Winchester (I think). Have you tried to ask, what brand and pattern(s) they are selling?

Next time I talk with Mr. Greg I will ask about the brand and patterns.

ChicagoWayVito · Jun 23, 2015

Brad Bowers said:
I've been buying felt from Winchester for 8 or 9 years now, and never realized they sold ribbon. Wow. I wouldn't be surprised if it was from Lawrence Schiff Mills. I suspect Schiff is the only one making hatband in the US, as far as I know.

Yeah, honestly it is hard to know what they sell since there is basically nothing on a website. Only reason I know is the price list that Mr. Greg sent me includes ribbon in various widths (ligne). I just might have to give Greg a call tomorrow and ask about it. I do believe it is cotton/rayon though.

ChicagoWayVito · Aug 3, 2015

Winchester is selling ribbon from Offray with pattern 50-7005. You do have to buy 50 yard rolls. I couldn't find that pattern on the Offray site but their site has limited search functionality. I think I will go ahead and order a roll to try out.

RJR · Aug 3, 2015

Look at VintageRibbons shop on ETSY.I don't remember the thread now but one of the owners is a new Lounger.

besdor · Aug 3, 2015

Offray ribbons aren't the same as they used to be from years ago. Most of the companies that we sell hats from are using Italian bands. They look much blacker . It makes the hat sell better .

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