Use scraps of ribbon to create these little pyramids — Masterstroke’s Steven Fraser originally created the sachet to be a beautiful Christmas ornament that was cut open to reveal the gift inside but we love the idea of hanging these little cuties from glasses or whimsical branches at a wedding for your guests to take home to discover their gift
Materials:
ribbon scraps at least 4″ wide and 2 x wider than they are long
narrow ribbon for hanging
needle and thread OR sewing machine
Technique:
Fold the ribbon in half and sew the selvage edge of the ribbon and the cut ends of ribbon together with either a decorative stitch with a sewing machine or a simple blanket stitch by hand.
To create the pyramid effect, align the (sewn) cut edge with the folded edge of the length of ribbon. Insert a loop for hanging and a small gift and stitch it closed.
While Cachelle prefers ribbon used as appliques, belts and hair pieces, this Lela Rose 'ribbon' dress drew her attention because the ribbon creates a luxurious texture and lovely soft shape.
Despite tying the knot this summer herself, Cachelle Odette Fry (Savoir Flare), has not ended a long time love affair; she admitted unsheepishly last week that she dreams of piles of creamy ribbon in all the colours of the rainbow and would roll around in it, if she could.
I contacted the event designer about her favourite subject with regards to current fashion and her tricks of the trade last week, and we covered just about everything:
Cachelle always buys two rolls of high quality ribbon in the colours her clients have chosen for their event: one double-faced half wide and one single-faced. They are her secret weapon against the mundane, the undecorated or the downright ugly spots that scream for a little attention. From spots in the WC to hanging lanterns to creating last minute sashes or brightening up vases, there are endless spots where ribbon is a last minute decorating ’savoir’.
Mokuba is probably the single most recognized premium ribbon brand around the world and Toronto is one of a handful of cities blessed with the presence of an exclusive outlet. The 23-year-old shop didn’t start the way you might imagine, i.e. a designer, frustrated by the lack of available trim, jumped into the business of importing the ‘right stuff’, or as a preconceived dream of a ribbon aficionado. Rather, the Queen west shop with the incredible windows is the result of a surprise connection between owner, Helene Smagala, and a four inch wide ivory coloured silk taffeta moire.
The white, cream and soft white ribbons are separated out and collected together for a wedding inspiration wall
Helene turning her favourite ribbon, a silk taffeta moire, into her favourite, a big soft bow without the support of wire
Smagala may not have seen that particular ribbon first, but it’s become her ultimate favourite amongst thousands of richly coloured and textured ribbons Mokuba has to offer.
If she was to design her own wedding today, that moire ribbon would set the stage a for a vintage-inspired celebration. The premium ribbon, used for museum quality restoration, has a richer, deeper colour than similarly treated ribbons out of lower quality fabrics and Smagala loves everything about its line and colour; a good ribbon, she notes, has a beautiful drape, “like a gesture.”
Weddings definitely make up a large part of Mokuba’s traffic, from event, dress, flower and invitation designers to brides searching for that perfect spool of creamy, deliciously hued ribbon for their own projects. Because of this, all the white, cream and soft white ribbons have been separated out into one central area of the shop for easy browsing and quick comparison.
A sketch of the designer's Julia gown, with pleated organza and grosgrain ribbon at the hem
“Ribbons have always been a source of inspiration for me. They add texture and a whimsical sophistication to any design. Instead of just using a ribbon in its most comfortable state i.e. being tied into a bow, I like manipulating it into couture bow/flower pieces to accent gowns. My favorite are the grosgrain ribbons especially the one with the small peak edges found at Mokuba. I also love designing (mostly in my custom creations) with pleated organza sheer ribbons on the hem of gowns or even mixing different types and widths of box or knife pleat ribbons. They add such interest and drama. I’ll be introducing a few gowns with emphasis on ribbon details in the 2010 collection.”
A stack of gorgeous ribbons from the Masterstroke website
Meet Steven Fraser; when he was planning his own wedding in 1997, Steven found he couldn’t get access to good quality ribbon — there was nothing between Mokuba’s premium stock and the low-end product that came mostly from Chinese mills.
What started as a small-scale import business based out of his parent’s basement has taken over 2000 square feet at the family’s machine design business and Steven has become Canada’s largest importer of Swiss and French ribbons. He and his product are regular fixtures throughout Martha Stewart’s empire, even supplying all the ribbon for the (no defunct) Martha by Mail kits, and have appeared in House & Home, O, and Style at Home magazines.
Steven’s {brilliant} Masterstroke is an incredible resource and what you see on the website, he says, is only about 10 percent of what he has available at his appointment only shop.
Customized ribbon with vows
As well as his enviable collection of satin and organdy, jacquard and metallic ribbons, Steven can also customize ribbon with text. It’s just one of the details that have kept him interested over the years and led him into discovering various niche working environments which, he says, are awe inspiring: touring a costume company and seeing the sewing, millinery work and construction for massive productions such as The Phantom of the Opera taking place was incredible. (He supplied the production along with others, all the ribbon for the shows.)
The details are also what set him apart, he hasn’t limited his business, and has ventured recently into collectible doll fashions, he has designed a few of his own ribbons when he couldn’t find exactly what he was looking for and created a number of great DIY projects (one we’ll be bringing you on Friday).
Steven says today’s ribbon market is all about novelty, from stripes and dots to plaids and pictures, and his collection definitely measures up!
Credits: Bouquet photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings; Masterstroke’s ribbon from the top: Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, $3.00/m.; Taffeta-backed Velvet Ribbon, $6.80/m.; Cutlery Jacquard Ribbon, $15.80/m.; Dotted Satin Ribbon, $5.80/m.; Cake Jacquard Ribbon, $15.80/m.; Measuring Tape Ribbon, $9.50/m
Maybe it’s a California thing, but we’re hoping we see a lot more long streaming ribbon incorporated into weddings in the near future. For one west coast photographer, Jose Villa, it’s a look he’s stumbled on at least twice – and lucky for us, he’s beautifully documented it both times.
Allysa and Ryan's chairs were given special treatment and covered in long ribbons
“Alissa and Ryan,” Villa wrote on his blog, “were married at the stunning San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, CA…. These guys are so creative I love it!” The couple, who own Horne, an online boutique, and write the Behind the Bar posts on Design*Sponge, incorporated many favourite details into their deliciously romantic wedding this past May, including decking out the chairs at their reception in long, fluttery bits of ribbon.
Allysa and Ryan in a field of lavender
For the second wedding, streamers of ribbon were used to cozy-up a large indoor space that would have swallowed the intimate group of guests.Ainjil and Chris’ wedding was designed by Rebecca Stone (Duet Weddings) who wrote: “The enormous, open barn presented challenges with Chris & Ainjil’s intimate group … we created a 24’ wide wall made entirely of ribbon- in varying shades of antique, muted tones … The ribbon wall was an incredible labor of love, but the effect was pure whimsy and elegance!”
Ainjil and Chris' ribbon wall was the perfect backdrop for sweets and for pics
When we asked Villa about photographing against such an interesting backdrop, the only difficulty he experienced, he wrote in an email, was the unpredictability of the streamers in the wind, he didn’t like the large gaps that kept appearing. That unpredictability and fluidity were probably exactly what made the wall particularly romantic and soft looking, which is definitely something to consider if you’re considering a similar route: you may sacrifice a shot or two if you provide nature a place to play!
The ribbon wall added to the organic whimsy of the event, swaying and moving with the slightest breeze.
This great Super 8 video by Joel Serrato (Joel Serrato Films) is a fantastic snapshot of the entire event and captures the movement of the ribbon about halfway through. Enjoy!
One of my favorite finds in New York last month at the bridal market were the ribbon necklaces by Rivini.
When I saw these wonderful pieces come down the runway, I knew they would be popular: they were beautiful AND looked comfortable on the models. Made from Swarovski crystals, pearls and tulle, and backed with silk satin, these pieces are a bold statement from the front while their ribbon tie gives them a soft flowing feeling from the back.
The ribbon comes in three different colours and there are nine different designs, they range from $550-$750. For more information contact Rivini.
I was brought up watching my mother tie the perfect bow and now find myself tying and re-tying until my own ribbons are worthy to go out the door.
by Catherine Lash
If you love ribbon, you’ll adore this week at The Daily News!
We’ll be bringing you stories dedicated to the beauty of ribbon, especially when it’s for a wedding: we’ll introduce you to local ribbon companies committed to connecting their clients with the perfect style, width and weave; we’ll tell you about the most luxurious ribbon you can find (and it’s in your own backyard!) and what’s current in ribbon trends; and we’ll take you behind the scenes for a few fabulous ribbon-DIYs and pass on a ribbon-obsessed consultant’s tips for creating that final punch at any event with a perfectly coloured ribbon.
Later today, we’ll bring you a Toronto designer whose ribbon accessories created a huge reaction in New York last month at the city’s bridal fashion week; but first, a wonderful company called Ribbon Jar has taken ribbon off the role and packed it in a jar. My favourite part ab0ut this company that is you can order a special collection jar, based on your colours, I don’t think it’s possible to be uninspired by something so fabulous.
For more super inspiration, check back regularly! I guarantee you will use ribbon in at least one aspect in planning or in the design of your wedding.
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