Colour
Dyed to your shade — a Pantone number, or a piece of the ribbon you use today. The whole order is dyed in one batch, so the last metre matches the first. Approval takes about five working days.
Petersham
Cotton petersham ribbon
Grosgrain that bends. The scalloped edge lets it curve when steamed, so it follows a hat brim or a waistband instead of fighting it. That one property is what hat makers buy it for.
| Quality | Petersham |
|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% cotton |
| Width range | 10 – 50 mm |
| Weight | 11 g/m |
| Hand | Firm, shapeable |
| Edge | Scalloped — curves when steamed |
| Face | Matte, ribbed |
| Colour | Custom dyed to your shade |
| Minimum order | 500 m per colour |
Width can vary by ±0.3 mm and weight by ±5%. Widths outside the runner sizes need the loom set up specially, which we do from 3,000 m.
What it is
Why it curves and grosgrain does not
Look at the edge. Petersham finishes in small scallops rather than a straight selvedge, and those scallops can open on one side and close on the other. Steam it, ease it round, and it takes a curve and keeps it.
Ordinary grosgrain cannot do this. Forced round a curve it buckles, and the buckle shows through the outside of the garment. It also costs about 40% less, which is why people order the wrong one — usually the cheap one when they needed this.
Rule of thumb: if it has to follow a curve, it is petersham. If it stays flat and straight, ordinary grosgrain will do.
Where it is used
What people order it for
- Hat bands and millinery trims
- Waistband facing inside skirts and trousers
- Neckline and armhole binding
- Cuff and hem finishing
- Corsetry and structured wear
- Belt backing and stiffening
Ordering
What an order looks like
Quantity
Minimum 500 m per colour. A colour made specially for you carries a 3,000 m minimum for that colour, as does any width outside the runner sizes.
Packing and delivery
100 m to a roll on a paper core, or 25 m and 50 m spools if you sell it on. Orders ship in 6–9 days up to 20,000 m, 10–14 days to 50,000 m, and 16–20 days beyond that.
The other qualities
