The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-06-29
Ribbon Weaving.

The art OF weaving ribbons is Of great
antiquity, aud was known to both the
llindoos and the Persians thousands of
years ago. The FIRST ribbons are suppos.
ed to have been small fillets to bind up
the hair or tie about the waist. In
process Of time the iillot was enlarged,
and the richest aud most costly ribbons
are now made of silk or velvet, while
the webb corresponds to the various
purposes for which articles of this de.
scrlptlon are used
Ribbons are of various kinds. and
properly embrace searis, fillets, sashcs,
couch trimmings, book marks and braids.
The best English ribbons are made at
Coventry, aud the trade has grown to
be one of great importance. Since the
invention Of the jacquard loom, the
business of ribbon weaving has made
rapid strides in France, aud figured and
raised work arc perfect maryels of tex.
tile art. The scat of the trade in
France is Mt Lyons and Paris. Swiss
manufacturers, however, of late years
have been formed in the production Of
silks and ribbons that have almost sup.
planted French goods 10 the home mar.
ket. One reason for this is the taste
they have displayed in their patterns
and the exquisite lineness of the mate.
rial composing the fabrics
The most gorgeous ribbons are those
classed under the name of sashes and
scarls. The latter are of llindoo origin,
aud are Of the most exquisitely beauti.
tul Of all the ornamental fabrics of Iu-
dla. They are called by the natives
Duputtas, and the most costly are
made at Benares. a correspondent of
the EimJury Reoie,o, in description
Of the textile production of the East,
writes as follows:
The scarf is, perhaps, the most
beautiful Of all the ornamental fabrics
of India, and it is quite impossible to
describe the effects Of the gold aud
silver threads Of the most delicate and
ductile description imaginable, woven
in broad rich borders. with a profusion
Of gold and silver flowers. Neither
eau describe the elegance and intri-
clcy Of the arabesque patterns Of the
ribbon borders or broad stripes. All
these fabrics are of the most delicate
and delightful colors the creamy white
aud shades of pink, yellow, green, vic.
let, mauve and blue are clear, yet sub.
dued, and always accord with the men.
tai thread and the style of Ornamental.
ton, whether in gold or silver. Many
scaris are Of more decided colors-
black, scarlet, crimson, chocolate, dark
green and madier; but Whatever the
color may be, the ornamentation is chastc
and suitable. Inferior scarfs are equal,
brilliant in colors and fadcess to the
last rag"
Embossed ribbons, Of the French
patterns are stamped with hot plates oil
steel each piece having a part of the
pattern engraved upon its surface. The
best ribbons are made in Europe, man
uFdctured from Italian orgauzine silk
inferior kinds are of China or Indif
organzine silk 4 fancy ribbon called
Chine is considered very beaullu
on account of its figures, which are irst
painted on the warp after il is prepared
for the loom, and subsequently woyer
in the shuttle. The wavy or watereC
appearance of ribbons is produced By
means Of heated cylinders.
Ribbon weaving has been very
prominent industry in this country f0l
many years. The largest manulactur
ers are at Passaic, New Jersey. la re
gard to material and finish, doulcsti,
ribbons compare fayorably with the bcs
imported