Rick rack trims are an incredibly versatile and decorative addition to countless DIY and sewing projects. These iconic zigzag ribbons, available in various sizes, colors, and materials, instantly add texture and visual interest to your creations.
Whether you are working on wedding dresses, rustic curtain borders, or even scrapbooks, rick rack trims offer limitless creative possibilities. Let’s explore the various uses of these trims, the different sizes available, and how to attach them perfectly every single time.
Quick Answer: What is Rick Rack Trim?
Rick rack (or ric rac) is a flat, woven ribbon with a distinctive zigzag shape. It is typically made of cotton, polyester, or metallic threads and comes in different widths (from 1/4 inch to over 1 inch). It is a favorite among crafters and sewers because it is flat, easy to sew, and adds a playful, wavy texture to clothing and home decor.
7 Creative Ways to Use Rick Rack Trims
1. DIY Sewing & Apparel
Rick rack trims are legendary in sewing projects because of their versatility. They can easily adorn the edges of clothing, bags, and accessories to add a retro flair.
- Clothing: Sew rick rack along the hem of summer skirts, sleeves, or collars to add a pop of color to everyday outfits.
- Baby Clothes: Add a soft, cotton trim to baby dresses or onesies for a cute, whimsical touch.
2. Curtain and Home Decor Borders
In home decor, rick rack can transform otherwise plain curtains or throw pillows into something highly stylized. Embellish the edges of valances for a rustic farmhouse look, or sew a thick, bold trim around throw pillows to tie a room’s color scheme together.
3. Event and Party Decor
Create eye-catching garlands and banners using long strands of rick rack. The zigzag design adds a playful feel to birthday parties and baby showers. You can also use it to tie bows around party favors or wrap it along the edges of a table runner.
4. Wedding and Formal Attire
For brides looking for a vintage or bohemian vibe, delicate, lace-edged or metallic rick rack trims can be an unexpected yet delightful detail. Thin trims can be sewn along lace borders or used to outline a bodice for a subtle, charming embellishment.
5. Gift Wrapping
Elevate your gift-wrapping game by using rick rack as a ribbon substitute. Its zigzag design makes any wrapped gift look incredibly personalized and fun. You can glue small pieces onto plain gift tags, making the packaging as unique as the present itself.
6. Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting
For scrapbookers, these trims add 3D texture and dimension to pages. Whether you’re creating borders for photos or making handmade greeting cards, a brightly colored zigzag line instantly makes the paper pop.
7. Making Fabric Flowers
One creative, advanced way to use this trim is by making flowers. By folding, pinching, and stitching the rick rack in a tight circular fashion, you can create cute fabric rosettes. These can be used to embellish hair accessories or even as part of a handmade wedding bouquet.
Rick Rack Sizes and Materials Explained
Rick rack comes in various sizes and materials, each suited for specific uses depending on how visible or subtle you want the trim to be.
Understanding Sizes
- Small (1/4 inch): This delicate size is perfect for subtle details. It is highly popular for children’s clothing, doll outfits, and fine scrapbooking.
- Medium / Middy (1/2 inch): The most popular size. “Middy” strikes the perfect balance between visibility and subtlety. It works beautifully on tote bags, apparel hems, and table runners.
- Large (1 inch or more): Jumbo trims are bold and dramatic. They are primarily used in home decor (like curtains or large throw pillows) to make a massive visual statement.
Stock up your craft room with a multi-color Middy pack:
Choosing the Right Material
- Cotton: Soft, matte, and incredibly easy to work with. It provides a natural, vintage look and washes very well on apparel.
- Polyester: Durable with a slight sheen, giving it a more polished appearance. It is highly resistant to fraying.
- Metallic: Woven with shiny gold, silver, or copper threads. Perfect for holiday crafts or formal wear, but requires delicate hand-washing.
How to Attach Rick Rack to Any Surface
Pro Crafting Tip: Stop the Fraying!
Before attaching rick rack to anything, you must secure the cut ends. If left raw, the zigzag ribbon will quickly unravel. Simply dab a tiny drop of clear fabric glue or Fray Check liquid on the cut tips and let it dry before sewing.
Sewing onto Fabric
Sewing rick rack onto fabric is surprisingly simple because it lays perfectly flat. Pin the trim onto the fabric where you want it placed. You can run a straight stitch straight down the center of the ribbon, or for wider trims, use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to catch the outer curves.
Note on stretchy fabrics: If you are sewing onto knits, ensure you pull the fabric slightly while sewing, or use a flexible “elastic rick rack” so the garment can stretch without snapping the thread.
Gluing onto Paper or Glass
If you are scrapbooking, a strong, acid-free craft glue or double-sided craft tape works perfectly. For glass jars, candle holders, or wood crafts, use a hot glue gun. Just be mindful not to use too much hot glue, as it can seep through thin cotton trims and burn your fingers.
Stop ribbon ends from unraveling instantly:
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Final Thoughts
Rick rack trims are incredibly versatile, inexpensive, and easy to use, making them a mandatory addition to any crafter’s toolkit. Whether you’re working on a rustic home decor project, embellishing vintage clothing, or planning a whimsical party, rick rack adds texture, color, and a touch of nostalgia to your creations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size of rick rack should I use for my project?
The size depends entirely on the scale of your project. Small rick rack (1/4″) is ideal for detailed work like baby clothing or scrapbooking. Medium-sized “middy” rick rack (1/2″) is the standard for edging garments or tote bags, while large, jumbo rick rack (1″+) makes a bold statement on home decor items like curtains.
Can I wash garments with rick rack trims?
Yes, most cotton and polyester rick rack trims are perfectly safe to machine wash. However, for metallic trims, hand washing is highly recommended to preserve their shiny coating and prevent the metallic threads from fraying or tarnishing in the dryer.
How do I prevent rick rack from fraying?
Because of how it is woven, rick rack will immediately unravel when you cut it. To prevent fraying, seal the cut ends with clear fabric glue, a specialized liquid seam sealant (like Fray Check), or simply fold the raw edge underneath itself before stitching it to the fabric.
Where can I buy rick rack trims in bulk?
You can purchase bulk spools of rick rack from specialty fabric stores, online craft retailers, or Amazon. Buying large spools instead of the small 3-yard retail cards is highly cost-effective if you are making large items like curtains, tablecloths, or party banners.
