The Ribbonerie: The Ultimate Ribbon Store

In my last blog post I mentioned utilizing my time in the San Francisco Bay Area (while there on jury duty in federal court) by visiting unique creative shops. One that I just discovered and have already been to multiple times is The Ribbonerie tucked among the Sacramento Street shops. I’ve never seen or experienced any place like it. Opened in 1997, it has since become the largest retailer of specialty and imported ribbons in the western United States. Paulette Knight, proprietor, was the original US importer of French wired ribbons over 25 years ago.The Ribbonerie stocks over 1,000 styles of ribbon, high quality trims and embellishments, rare vintage accessories, exquisite fabrics, couture trims, heirloom accessories and vintage crafts from around the world. Also in the shop:

• Bridal Trims
• Vintage Hats & Gloves
• Antique Buttons
• Hand Crafted Silk Flowers
• Cording
• Military Braids
• Bindings & Ric-Rac
• Feather Plumes
• Beaded Flowers
• Fashion Accessories
• Specialty Boxes
• Rare Textiles
• Vintage Jewelry
• Handbags

Paulette has also amassed several spectacular antique display cases for ribbon and other textile related supplies. Here is a photo tour of the store from my last visit. This is the grosgrain ribbon section where I found this gorgeous spool of vintage red, white & blue that I will be using in my workshop at Craftcation this month.There are shelves and shelves of color and textures. Stunning brocade ribbons.

Many beautiful color palettes and styles.

Metallic cording and trims. Even ribbon custom designed by Paulette herself.

Posies and other floral and garden-style embellishments. Metals and foils. The showpiece of the shop, an early spool cabinet filled with vintage buttons and trims. Silk ribbons.Holiday ribbons, trims and cording. Antique textiles. Dots, stripes and checks.And just look at all those tartans! The Ribbonerie has bins and bins of half-price ribbon. And antique display cases filled with vintage jewelry and textile-related antiques. While I was visiting in February, the beautiful collection of boxed ribbon candies by Candace Kling was on display. My favorite ribbon in the shop is the elasticised pleated ribbon. It’s a bit pricy when pulled taut for measuring, but a little bit can go a long way. Here is rosette I made using that and other Ribbonerie ribbons.The Ribbonerie also hosts in-depth decorative arts classes. For more information, products, pricing and inspiration visit The Ribbonerie online. You can also follow the shop on Facebook!