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Naomi asked me to expand on petersham ribbons and in this post I am sharing the ultimate guide to petersham ribbons. You will learn the benefits of petersham, what’s the difference between grosgrain and petersham ribbons and how to tell the difference when buying online. I will also share my top tips and tricks for how to sew with Petersham ribbon. I have used petersham waistband facing a lot but my favourites are the Barkcloth Hollyburn SKirt and the Tartan DP Fashion Studio Le 401 Skirt.

Petersham Ribbon – Everything you need to know

Grosgrain ribbon is not petersham ribbon

The first time I used ‘petersham‘ I had actually been sold grosgrain. Since I had asked the shop assistant who very nicely showed it to me – I just assumed I had the petersham that I had read of. I recall even asking if it would curve and she said yes. As I was sewing, it remained suspiciously straight but I reasoned that maybe it had to be worn before it does its thing. However, after wearing the skirt a couple of times with no change in the shape of the ‘petersham’, I started considering the possibility that it wasn’t me who had made a sewing mistake.

Knowledge is power

That’s when my search began again – better equipped with the knowledge of what  ‘was definitely not‘ petersham ribbon. I eventually found a haberdashery which was run by an old woman in the market (she told me she had been there for 40 years). She also had some petersham. I was mistrustful given my previous experience but I bought 1m (it looked a lot like grosgrain but had a teeny tiny difference to my untrained eye). When I got home – I unrolled it and immediately noticed the difference between the first one (grosgrain) and this second one. This was definitely Petersham ribbon. I got back as soon as I could to the market to buy more but alas !- apparently she had retired and the day that I had bought the 1m was her last day! So I now had to find some Petersham! The game was on.

7 Benefits of petersham ribbon 

Before I get into a long ramble of petersham ribbon, let me tell you the benefits of this essential sewing cave notion. The benefits are manifold:

1. It’s so comfortable because it expands to contours of the body and ‘sits’ rather than grips the waist.
2. Can be used if there is no fabric for a facing
3. Can be used to reduce bulk at the waist
4. Its put on after everything is constructed and fitting done so it’s less fuss
5. It’s a strong durable finish used often in couture houses
6. It is much easier to sew than a normal waistband.
7. looks neat on the inside

Exactly what is a petersham ribbon?

My first stop was Wikipedia and it says:

Petersham ribbon, also called Petersham facing or simply Petersham, is a thick, stiff, flexible corded ribbon usually made out of either cotton, rayon, viscose, or a cotton/ rayon or viscose blend of fibers and used as facing by milliners and tailors… It is woven so that once steamed, it will take on and support a particular curve of fabric….t is also useful as an alternative to bias tape for making fabric conform closely to the shape of the body wearing it— in a corset, for example, or along the waistline of a pair of trousers or a skirt.

This is an accurate definition. Petersham looks like a ribbon but it is much thicker and not as drapey as a ribbon. Like grosgrain (pronounced grograin) ribbon, it comes with a scalloped edge but petersham has a tighter weave on one side which allows it to take on and support a curve.

It sounds simple enough but the problem is that in most sewing books that I have read there is no consistency as to what grosgrain and petersham are. In most cases, it is used interchangeably. Add to that the fact that in most shops I have enquired about petersham I almost always get shown grosgrain. It’s not the shop assistant’s fault either as I elaborate below.

What is the difference between Grosgrain or Petersham? 

Petersham is not to be confused with its close cousin grosgrain, which is straight like normal ribbon you might use in hair.

What do the sewing books have to say….

Petersham ribbon: What the sewing books say

I did a search of my sewing books. I was limited to my own personal library and if there are other books that deal specifically with petersham ribbon I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Just like my shopping experiences, my sewing books also present different information.

Readers Digest mentions petershams and only says this:

Petersham ribbon is often used for finishing or staying waistlines. It can also be a decorative trim. It is sold by the meter in various widths and a wide range of colours. A special curved petersham is also available in black and white only. Pg. 20

This tells me that it is referring to grosgrain in the first then actual petersham last. It is helpful as it does point out that petershams are only in black and white.

The Vogue Sewing Book doesn’t have petersham listed in its index or glossary so I went to look at skirt waistband finishing. Sure enough, it pops up there but under a different guise and name here is the extract (on Faced Waistline):

RIBBON: Shape a 20 -25 mm (3/4″ – 1″) wide strip of grosgrain ribbon by steaming it into curves corresponding to those of the waistline edge. Be sure to stretch the edge that is to be let free; if you shrink the edge to be joined to the garment, it will stretch during wear. Fit ribbon to your body, allowing 25mm (1″) for ends. pg 336

Based on what we already know about the definition of petersham, – clearly, this tutorial is talking about petersham and not grosgrain which will not ever curve unless cut or darted. It’s a good tutorial apart from the fact that if a beginner were to buy grosgrain and follow it, they would be shocked (perhaps not shocked per se but maybe frustrated) to find it’s not working. (Caveat being that they are using this 1978 edition which I have – if anyone has a newer edition – is this still the same exact text or has it been changed? )

The Sewing Book (Alison Smith) This book had petersham in the index and has a well illustrated photographic tutorial which refers to petersham ribbon as we know it. Here is the extract:.

Petersham in an alternative finish to a facing if you do not have enough fabric to cut a facing. Available in black and white, it is a stiff, ridged tape that is 2.5cm (1″) wide and curved – the tighter curve is the top edge. Like a facing, petersham is attached to the waist after the skirt or trousers have been constructed. pg 177

This is the best succinct explanation along with the tutorial. On pg 179 there is an equally good entry on grosgrain distinguishing between the two ribbon cousins and providing a tutorial on using grosgrain.  The only thing missing from both these tutorials is how to finish the petersham and grosgrain at the zip fastening. I have provided a link down below in the resources section on a great tutorial which goes all the way to finishing around the zip fastening – I highly recommend this read if you are looking to up your finishing techniques.

Couture Sewing Techniques (Claire Schaeffer) is the only book to use the term grosgrain and describe a process that is for grosgrain ribbon. I have included it as I found it very interesting. She describes a technique where snipping and darting are used to shape it. So it is definitely grosgrain as it is sold today i.e. straight and needing cutting to shape it to a curve. It doesn’t have a petersham entry on index or glossary either. Here is the extract.

Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book (Gretchen Hirsch) has a petersham reference in the index. I can’t be too certain but it looks like what’s being referred to is possibly a grosgrain given that it comes in different widths and colours. Also looking at the picture provided, I can’t see the typical waviness I’d expect to see on a petersham that’s been curved around a waist.  Perhaps this might be a US thing and they sell the petersham as defined at the beginning there in differing widths and colours? If there are any US readers who know I’d love to hear your experiances/thoughts on this.

Here is the extract:

So far The Sewing Book by Alison Smith book has provided the clearest definitions and tutorial for petersham ribbon. It’s the one book where a beginner would seek to find the proper petersham ribbon since the book specifically says that its only black and white and 1″ wide. The tutorial would also yield a good result as everything matches up.

In summary, we now know that petersham ribbon is the best thing since sliced bread and why there is some confusion as to what it actually is. But hopefully, by now, you get the idea that grosgrain is NOT petersham. Perhaps you can even tell the difference between them. Of course, now are wondering where to buy this lovely thing I speak of. 

Where to buy petersham ribbon online?

I have had some success with buying online and here is where I reliably buy petersham ribbon online:

MinervaCrafts (international postage) – Curved Petersham Waist banding

I prefer to buy mine in bulk and MinervaCrafts sell it by the meter or you can buy a 40m roll. Minervacrafts also post worldwide which a big plus.

Pro buying tip

Buy your petersham ribbon in multiples of your required length based on your waist measurement. For instance my waist is 28″ (72cms), but I need to turn it under at the closure so that an extra 1/2″ – 1″ on either end. I’d advise adding 1″ to each end if you are starting out, once you are used to working with petersham ribbon then reduce the allowance. I work with a half inch personally. So 28″ plus 2″ is 30″ or 76cm aprox. So I know that if I buy in multiples of 75cm I can get one waistband per 75cm. So I know that I’d rather buy 1.5m to get 2 waistbands instead of 1m where 25cm would be wasted. There is virtually nothing you can use scraps of petersham on so I am keen on being efficient with it.

Local buying in West Yorkshire

I live in the UK so my locale experience  is limited to this country.  More specifically to my region in Yorkshire. I tried buying on Ebay twice and each time received grosgrain so I gave up buying online. I went to Bonds in Farsley but they didn’t have any in stock at that time (I havent yet returned to check but they said they stock it). I found some in Boyes Super Store (Bradford branch) where I bought loads. Samuel Taylors in Leeds Market also had some. And thats it. I have basically stocked up and have about 10m each of the black and white in my cave. I invite readers from other countries (& UK) to share if they know where to buy petersham. Please let me know in the comments below.

Buying petersham ribbon online – mistakes to avoid.

Hopefully, I made these mistakes so you don’t have to.

Buying the wrong thing.

• Watch out for descriptions that use grosgrain/petersham interchangeably in them – most likely they are the grosgrain ribbon. As mentioned above, my research indicates that petersham and grosgrain are 2 separate things.
• I have also yet to ever come across Petersham that isn’t black or white or 1″ wide. I use that as an indicator myself. Buy from reputable sellers so that you can double check with them before buying. Also once you find it, buy shed loads of it – it’s not easy to come by!

How to add a petersham ribbon waistband facing

I will start with what not to do and the things that can go wrong as these feed into how to sew your petersham the best way.

Things to watch out for when adding a petersham ribbon waistband

Cutting your petersham too short.

There is nothing more frustrating than realising that you dont have enough petersham to turn under. Its pretty much useless if its too short. Its painful and it has happened to me but I quickly learnt not to do that again. Here is an efficient and thrifty way to avoid this mistake. I don’t cut it from my roll before sewing in on. I will sew it on then cut off the excess leaving the allowance I need to turn under.

Unraveling ends

Petersham unravels. That is to say you can easily pull at one of the hanging threads and the weaving comes away so handle with some degree of awareness. Do not cut it at an angle – you are just increasing the points of unravelling. I overlock the cut end as soon as I cut it to prevent unravelling. I have used Fray check successfully especially when I cut it an angle (a bad habit I have since stopped on account of how much it caused waste). Otherwise turn it under and hand sew it as soon as possible.

Petersham ribbon when used correctly creates the most comfortable waist finish. My all time favourite Holyburn skirt has a Petersham ribbon.

Resources on Petersham ribbons

A Challenging Sew – a useful tutorial on sewing a lined skirt with petersham.

Threads  – a Youtube tutorial on how to curve petersham to a seam.

In conclusion,  you should have a better understanding of Petersham ribbon and how to identify it. Adittionally where to reliably buy some to try out and the mistakes to avoid when adding a patersham faced waistband to your garments.

Finally, lets see if you picked up something. I have 2 pictures below – which ones are the petersham ribbons? All welcome to have a go 🙂

Links

Buy online Curved Petersham ribbon 

Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing, First Edition 1978

The Vogue Sewing Book, Revised Metric Edition, 1978

The Sewing Book, Alison Smith, 2009

Couture Sewing Techniques, Claire B. Schaeffer, 1993

Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book, Gretchen Hirsch, 2016