If you lived through the 1970’s, you probably resided in a home where textile items such as curtains, table linens, aprons, and towels were decorated with rick rack trim. If you were female, you probably had clothing adorned with rick rack. Because of the influence of the TV show Little House on the Prairie, rick rack experienced its peak popularity during that period–although it has always been in use. This flat, zig-zag, braided trim is iconic. It is also older than you may guess.

A Brief History of Rick Rack

First known as “waved crochet braid” (catchy huh?), rick rack first appeared in the 1860’s but didn’t take on its modern form or name until around 1880. During the 1890’s rick rack sewing trim was imported for use by American sewists as a decorative edging for dresses, aprons, and lingerie. It was also incorporated into lace and then used to decorate curtains, bedding, and other home linens.

After a brief slump in popularity, rick rack ribbon once again came into vogue during the 1910’s when American manufacturers began to produce it. One of these was William E. Wright & Sons, which was founded in Massachusetts in 1897.

Cotton rick rack was in high demand from the 1930’s through the 1950’s when home sewists were upcycling cotton sacks used to pack commodities such as flour, cornmeal, and livestock feed to make dish towels, aprons, and clothing for their families. Wrights rick rack was prized because it was durable; it would tolerate rigorous laundering. The many choices of Wrights rick rack colors complimented the bright flour sack prints. Adding a bit of rick rack helped alleviate the stigma of having to use the feed sack fabric that was available.

After another lull during the 1960’s, rick rack experienced a resurgence of popularity during the 1970’s thanks to Laura Ingalls’ influence. But rick rack hasn’t ever really gone out of style, and it is available in a rainbow of currently popular colors. If you like rick rack, go crazy! Missouri Star carries all three sizes of Wrights rick rack. Wrights large rick rack is called Wrights Jumbo Rick Rack; it is ⅝” wide. Wrights Medium Rick Rack is ½” wide. Wrights small rick rack–called Wrights Baby Rick Rack–is ¼” wide.

About Wrights Rick Rack

William E. Wright & Sons remained independent until 1985. Then it went through a series of mergers and buy-outs. Although the brand is now owned by IG Design Group, it is still producing Wrights rick rack and ever-handy bias tape.

Wrights Bias Tape Extra Wide Double Fold is multi-functional stuff that can be used to bind hems and raw edges on quilts and garments. Wrights bias tape is also a quick way to make a drawstring for a bag, waistband, or hood. Customers have asked a few questions about this product. For example, how wide is extra wide double fold bias tape? Wrights Bias Tape Extra Wide Double Fold is ½” wide. Is Wrights bias tape cotton? Wrights bias tape is a poly-cotton blend. What Wrights bias tape colors are available? Wrights manufactures bias tape–and rick rack–in a huge variety of colors. Missouri Star tries to carry a selection of basic and popular colors that will meet the needs of most sewists.

We hope you enjoy using both Wrigths rick rack and bias tape. These two notions have stood the test of time because they are easy to apply, can be used in a multitude of ways, and withstand wear. We suspect both will be around for another hundred years!