Ribbons and Bias

The ribbon industry in France developped in the regions of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Chamond and Saint-Dider-en-Velay where numerous small ateliers could be found. Important technical progressions - notably the improvement of bar looms - from 1830 enabled a serial production with the intervention of multiple colours. Most of the oldest ribbons are generally made of silk. However the most beautiful motifs were woven during the second half of the 19th century at a time when the technique had been properly mastered.