Worsted Tape

We provide many widths and colors of worsted tape. We are often asked if we can get a width or color that you don't see here. The answer is, yes, however we need to order a minumum of 500 yards. If you are interested in something at least half way there let us know as we'd be willing to work something out.

1" (25.4 mm) $3.50/yd.
7/8" (22 mm) $3.50/yd.
3/4" (19 mm) $3.50/yd.
5/8" (16 mm) $3.00/yd.
1/2" (13 mm) $2.85/yd.
3/8" (10 mm) $2.75/yd.

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Natural White Worsted Wool Hat Braid

In the Newport Mercury in 1776 "DESERTED . . .  from Capt. Aimelech Rigg's company, in Colonel William Richmond's regiment, a private . . .  had on . . .  a black hat bound with white". Off white 35/2 or 60/2 linen thread match this tape well.

1 1/4" (32 mm) wide $6.50/yd

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1 1/4" Blue Worsted Twisted Fringe

Worsted wool trim was used for bed hangings and other household furnishings as well as drummer's lace. In the Connecticut Journal in 1775 "To be Sold at Public Vendue, peremptorily to the highest Bidder, for Cash only . . .  at the Store lately occupied by Gold and Chamberlain, in New-Haven . . .  Black and colour’d Gymps and Fringes". Navy blue 35/2 or 60/2 linen thread will match this tape well.

1 1/4" (32 mm) wide $5.65/yd

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Dutch Linen Tape

Linen tape, finely woven in a natural color is a strong tape which takes to dyeing when necessary. Use the 3/4" for binding the tops of petticoats it will hold both pleats or gathered edges well. Allow enough tape to tie the back panel directly in front and the front panel in back to best hold up your 18th century petticoats. Use the 1/2" for binding pockets and stays. The 1/4" may be used for stay tape, stay lacing, tieing the back of breeches and for inserting in button shanks. Directions for securely sewing buttons into a garment using 1/4" linen tape are found in The Workman's Guide to Tailoring Stitches. Directions for securely sewing linen tape on to a garment are found in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book II. In 1757 in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London "John Mungotroid was indicted for stealing . . .  3038 yards of linen tape, 175 yards of quality binding."

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Narrow Cotton Tape

For making Corvid 19 masks we find 3/8" works well but others have been using anywhere from 1/4" to 1". Cotton tape rolled into convenient 10 yard rolls are available in many sizes. The 1/8" and 1/4" may be used as ties for ladies caps, and bonnets, stay laces, and to tie the back of breeches. The 1/4" may be used for inserting in button shanks the directions for this method are found in The Workman's Guide to Tailoring Stitches. The 3/8", 1/2", come in white and natural and work well for tying petticoats, aprons, and cloaks. Directions for securely sewing cotton tape on to a garment are found in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book II. In 1783 in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London "WILLIAM HATCHMAN was indicted for feloniously stealing . . .  24 yards of cotton tape, value 4 s."

Wide Cotton Tape

One inch cotton twill tape is sold in 10 yard rolls in white, natural, and black or in 100 yard rolls in white and natural. Cotton twill tape of this size is often used for binding the bottom of linen or cotton petticoats.

Wide Cotton Tape in Colors

New!

Wide cotton twill tape in colors is sold by the yard. Cotton twill tape of this size is often used for binding the bottom of linen or cotton petticoats.

Heavy 1 1/4" Cotton Twill Tape for Galuses/Braces/Suspenders

One and 1/4 inch heavy cotton twill tape similar to belting is sold by the yard. We worked with Kannik's Korner to be sure this is what they would like to see used for galuses on their trousers pattern.

Hook and Eye Tape

These metal fasteners are spaced 1" apart and is perfect for closing the front of your gown. Available in white or black cotton and sold by the inch. Hook and eye tape was not available in the 18th century but this is a lot easier to use than hiring a servant to sew you into a gown.

$0.40/inch.

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Hooks and Eyes

Hooks and eyes made of blackened wire are available and sold by the set. Directions for securely sewing hooks and eyes are found in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book II. These were used to close garments such as men's coats and to cock hats. They may be used in conjunction with a pair of ties to help keep a women's cloak shut as well and there is an unusual sample from 1738 The Virginia Gazette of a "RUN away . . .  a Servant Man . . .  he is an Irishman . . .  He carried . . .  one Half thick Wastecoat, with Hooks and Eyes, instead of Buttons". In 1774 London recorded in the The Proceedings of the Old Bailey during the trial of some highwaymen a witness stated, "I am a taylor: I made this coat for the prosecutor; I finished it on the 9th of April; I am sure it is the same; I made it myself; I know my own work perfectly well; the hooks and eyes are taken out, here are the marks where they were."

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$0.50-$1.00/set

Metallic Gold Lace

During the 18th century each officer went to his own tailor for clothing. Therefore there was no regulation officer's lace. The same gold lace on an officer's coat could be found on civilian clothing. For example in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey in 1775 there was a trial for three thieves who "were indicted for stealing . . .  a blue silk waistcoat, trimmed with gold lace, value fifteen shillings".

$3.95-$10.95/yd.

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Metallic Silver Lace

During the 18th century each officer went to his own tailor for clothing. Therefore there was no regulation officer's lace and there was a considerable amount of variation. The same silver lace on an officer's coat could be found on civilian clothing. For example in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London of 1732 during a trial it was recorded that two suspects, "were indicted for stealing . . .  a Cloth Coat with Silver Lace, value 10 l . . .  a Silk Waistcoat with Silver Lace, value 5 l."

$3.95/yd.-$10.95/yd.

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Torchon Lace

Torchon is of Belgian origin by tradition and is now made all over the world as primary lace since it includes all of the structures of bobbin laces. Other named laces adopted specific structures as their trademarks. Built on a 45 degree angle, it is perfect for geometric designs. Totchon lace was inexpensive and strong. Our Torchon lace is hand made of white 120/2 linen thread by Kate Henry in the Illinois Territory and is reproduced from originals used during the early to late 18th century. This lace may be used as an edging or insertion. This would make a subtle but striking edging on a woman's cap, shift, gown or handkerchief. For example in The Pennsylvania Ledger in 1775 "Run away . . .  an Irish Servant Woman . . .  Had on and took with her . . .  a lace cap with a white ribbon round it" as cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls.

$2.00/inch

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Cluny Lace

Cluny lace is sold by the inch and was named for Cluny, France. Charecteristics of Cluny lace are a heavy bobbin lace made of ivory-white heavy threads. Our Cluny lace is hand made of off white 80/2 linen thread by Kate Henry in the Illinois Territory and is a reproduction of a type used in the early to late 18th century. This would make a bold edging on a woman's cap, gown or handkerchief but was more common on houshold items such as table and bed linens. For example in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London in 1767 "Catharine Saunders and Mary Gibbons, spinsters, were indicted for stealing nine yards of linen lace, value 20 s. and ten yards of linen edging lace, value 8 s."

$2.00/inch

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1/4" Silk Satin Ribbon

The armband of women's shifts, especially in the first half of the 18th century, were sometimes tied with quarter inch silk ribbon in place of sleeve buttons. Necklaces of black silk ribbon with a cross below are often seen especially on French women and girls but ribbons were also simply tied around the neck or strung with beads or pearls. Quarter inch silk ribbon may also be used to decorate gowns. In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London of 1770 "Edward Holmes, Hannah Riddal, and Eliz. Soddi, spinsters, were indicted for making an assault on Elizabeth, wife of Michael Pever, in a certain field and open place, near the King's highway, putting her in corporal fear and danger of her life, and taking from her . . .  a silk ribbon, value 5 d." and later in the same proceeding "Soddi took my necklace and ribbon off."

$1.00/yd.

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1/2" Silk Satin Ribbon

Necklaces of black silk ribbon with a cross below are often seen especially on French women and girls but ribbons were also simply tied around the neck. Half inch silk ribbon may also be used to decorate gowns, hats, and caps. Cited in the book Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls a 1770 ad in The Pennsylvania Gazette included "Run away . . .  an Irish servant girl . . .  brown hair, wears sometimes ribbons, and sometimes caps".

$2.00/yd.

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3/4" Silk Satin Ribbon

Silk ribbon of 3/4" (18 mm) width has many uses such as accenting a chip (aka straw) hat, cap, or gown. But 3/4" silk ribbon may also be tied around the neck. For example look at this 1769 maid servant's use of silk ribbon in both her cap and around her neck from The Lewis Walpole Library Digital Collection. In The Virginia Gazette of 1751 "RAN away . . .  a white Servant Woman . . .  has a little of the Irish Brogue, but denies that Country . . .  having stole an Ash colour'd Camblet Gown, tied at the Sleeves with blue Ribbons".

$2.50/yd.

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1" Silk Satin Ribbon

Silk ribbon of 1" (2.4 cm) width has many uses such as decorating a native American Indian rap skirt or accenting a chip (aka straw) hat. In The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1772 "Run away . . .  an indented servant woman . . .  had on, and took with her . . .  a clean cap, with a black sattin ribbon, tied round her head, and brought under her chin" as cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls.

$3.25/yd.

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1 1/2" Silk Satin Ribbon

Silk ribbon of this width has several uses including to accent chip (aka straw) hats or for the sash of girl's white gowns. For example cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1773, "Run Away . . .  an Irish servant girl . . .  had on, and took with her . . .  a chip hat, with a red ribbon round the crown of it".

$4.80/yd.

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2" Silk Satin Ribbon

Silk ribbon of this width has several uses including to accent chip (aka straw) hats or for the sash of girl's white gowns. For example cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1773, "Run Away . . .  an Irish servant girl . . .  had on, and took with her . . .  a chip hat, with a red ribbon round the crown of it".

$6.40/yd.

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