Rickrack is a flat piece of braided trim, shaped like a zigzag. It is used as a decorative element in clothes or curtains.[2] Before the prevalence of sewing machines and overlockers, rickrack was used to provide a finished edge to fabric,[3] and its popularity was in part due to its sturdiness and ability to stand up to harsh washing conditions.[4] Rickrack is produced using a variety of fibers, including cotton, polyester, wool, and metallic fibers, and is sold in a variety of sizes and colors.[4]
Invented in the mid-19th century, it took its modern form and current name around 1880.[5] Rickrack's popularity peaked in the 1970s and is associated with the Little House on the Prairie. Several designs of formal and up-market girls' dresses with it on as a decoration became popular in the 1950s and 1960s.[citation needed]
- ^ "Handmade Aprons, photo page 2". Love To Sew Studio.
- ^ Pickett, Joseph P.; et al., eds. (2000). "rickrack". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 1498. ISBN 0-395-82517-2. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ Lee, Linda (2000). Sewing Edges and Corners: Decorative Techniques for Your Home and Wardrobe. Taunton. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-56158-418-5.
- ^ a b "Rickrack Trims". Better Homes & Gardens. Meredith Corporation. 2015-08-26. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
- ^ "rickrack". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.