A Gem from Barbara: 70's ribbon bags

In the 1970's I had a friend who made ribbon pillows by weaving ribbons together.  I liked them and decided to try making one.  My efforts were successful and I even had a few people ask me to make them one.  The success of the pillows inspired me to try making a ribbon bag.  I wove grosgrain ribbons together, lined it with a whimsical lining, sewed on a ribbon shoulder strap and I made a cool envelope bag. 

The prototype from the 1970's

Daisy lining



The bag was a hit and I got requests to make bags for several family members.  Twenty years later Alison spotted ribbon pillows being sold in a major department store, and asked me to show her how to make the bags.  I helped her make a few to match various party dresses of hers and she wore them out and about, receiving many compliments.  But, Alison doesn't have the sewing background that I do, so when she needed a bag for a horsey set event, I made it for her.



21st Century version

We wanted at least a nod to the horses so I found material with horses and used that as the lining.  It was during this project that I decided that after twenty-five years my bags should have proper labels.  I call them Blue Ribbon Bags. 

 Horse patterned fabric used as the lining.

Over the years we've seen ribbon bags and ribbon pillows for sale in major department stores, but my bags are vintage and even the new ones are made with vintage ribbons.