This charming antique lot dates to the refined years of the Edwardian era, circa 1910–1915, and offers a beautifully preserved look at the practical elegance of early dressmaking.

The set includes three original items:

— “The Genesee” Skirt and Waist Fastener, mounted on its original display card and manufactured by the Dress Safety Co. of Rochester, New York. The illustrated instructions and reassuring claims—“No Sagging,” “No Pins,” “Secure”—reflect the ingenuity behind garments of the period, when separate skirts and shirtwaists required clever fastening solutions.

— A card of silk-covered collar support wires, patented April 19, 1911. These flexible wires were designed to support the fashionable high, structured collars of the era. Six wires remain present; some have loosened from the card, while two remain secured. The original card shows age with visible folds, yet remains a wonderful example of early 20th-century haberdashery advertising.

— A length of black fabric-covered dress weight trim, measuring approximately 48 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. This would have been sewn into a hem to provide weight and graceful drape to skirts and dresses—a subtle but essential finishing touch in period garments. The piece remains in very clean condition.

Together, these pieces form a cohesive and display-worthy vignette of early sewing practice—both functional and decorative, and increasingly difficult to find preserved in this way.

Perfect for a sewing room display, a cabinet of curiosities, or a collection of textile and fashion ephemera.

Condition

Good antique condition overall with age-appropriate wear.

Genesee card: light wear, minor creasing
Collar support card: folded twice with visible creases; wires partially loose
Dress weight trim: clean and well-preserved
Measurements
Dress weight trim: approx. 48″ long x 1/2″ wide
Cards: standard small notion card size
Collector’s Note

Notions such as these were often discarded after use, making surviving examples on their original cards increasingly scarce. Groupings like this—still intact and thoughtfully preserved—offer both historical insight and visual charm.

Piece #2 is also a cut remnant yardage. It does have a slightly tapered cut so I have measured across the width at the shortest distance. It is 35″ long x 12″ wide. A pretty leaf design. Does have some holes but believe can be worked around.
Piece #3 is lace edging trim. It is a sewn with one seam. A pretty tulle with rosette design at the bottom. It is 30″ continuous around x 4″ wide. Condition is good.

* Dimensions: Approximately 5 inches across; substantial scale for outerwear.
* Material: Authentic silk rayon or possibly all silk cord with a soft, natural luster.
* Construction: Hand-braided “passementerie” work with matching pom-pom tassels.
* Closure Type: Includes a large original metal hook on one under side (note: the corresponding “eye” loop is missing).

Condition:
Antique/Vintage condition. This piece was salvaged from an original period garment, and visible thread residue remains on the back where it was originally hand-stitched. The cord is supple and strong, with no signs of “shattering” or significant fraying. The threads of the pom poms are sort of flattened – probably from storage. Again good but not perfect.

Historical listing note: Wrights fine percale bias tape lot.

Estimated Era late 1930s – 1940’s (pre 1949)

Provenance: These exceptional new old stock (NOS) sewing notions represent a mid century complete kit approach to home dressmaking.

The “Portrait” Era : Both packages feature the iconic William E. Wright founder logo, a classic design element from the company’s peak period of high quality cotton production.

Original Spindle Wheels: This lot is rare for including the original matching thread wheels. These mini-spools provided pre-measured, color-matched mercerized cotton thread, allowing home sewers to achieve professional finishes without buying a separate full spool of thread.

Material Quality: Unlike modern polyester blends, these are 100% cotton Fine Percale (Quality 315 & 316) Percale is prized for its high thread count and smooth, durable finish – ideal for period-accurate restoration or high-end vintage style garments.

Condition Details:

Canary 86 Double-fold tape 6 yards, retains in original cellophane wrapping, a hallmark of pre-war packaging innovation designed to ensure factory-fresh quality.

Royal blue: Single-fold tape 4 yards. A stunning example of deep-dye mid-century cotton, featuring the distinct “star” pattern thread wheel.

Both of the packages are sold as a lot.

Length is 4″ long from the top to the bottom, including the small loop at the top which is 1/2″ long

Material is a cotton, possibly mixed with rayon.

Here is a remarkable example of Victorian passementerie — a large, beautifully hand-knotted black braid frog fastener once intended for a cloak or coat of distinction. Substantial in scale and ornate in construction, this piece speaks of fashion when outerwear was both practical and theatrical.

The decorative round medallion measures approximately **3 ½ inches in diameter**, with an overall length of **6 inches** including the looped fastening end. The intricate braid work forms a dimensional rosette framed by tightly coiled loops and corded edging, all arranged with symmetry and confident artistry.

The thread has a smooth, lustrous surface consistent with silk or a silk blend commonly used in fine Victorian passementerie. The sheen and supple structure strongly suggest quality materials intended for a well-made garment rather than everyday wear. The braid remains firm and beautifully shaped, with its sculptural loops still retaining their crisp form.

Frog fasteners of this type were both decorative and functional. Typically, a corresponding knotted button or larger coat button would pass through the looped end to secure the garment. These closures were frequently seen on capes, cloaks, mantles, and tailored coats from the 1870s through the 1890s, particularly in black — the most versatile and enduring color of the era.

Today, this piece would make:

* A striking restoration element for a Victorian garment
* A dramatic embellishment for historical costume design
* A study piece for collectors of antique trims and passementerie
* A bold decorative accent in textile art or shadow box display

It is increasingly difficult to find Victorian frogs of this generous size and intact structure. The scale alone sets it apart.
### Condition

Very good antique condition. The braid remains secure and well formed. Light, age-appropriate wear consistent with over a century of existence. No significant fraying or structural damage observed. A beautifully preserved example.

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### Measurements

* Overall length: 6 inches
* Decorative medallion diameter: 3 ½ inches

Acquired from a Western New York estate, Buffalo area, a region known for its grand turn-of-the-century homes and well-appointed wardrobe

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### Historical & Collector’s Note

Passementerie — the art of ornamental braid and trimming — flourished in the 19th century, when garments were often richly embellished with applied braid, tassels, and frogs. Large-scale frogs such as this were particularly fashionable in the late Victorian period, when tailored cloaks and fitted coats emphasized dramatic closures as focal points. Because many garments were later dismantled or worn to pieces, surviving original fasteners in this condition are increasingly desirable among collectors and costume historians.

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Offered here are two beautiful examples of **early 20th century silk moiré taffeta ribbon**, dating to the Edwardian era. These wide ribbons were likely intended for **millinery trimming, sash work, or decorative garment embellishment**, where their elegant watered silk pattern would catch the light with subtle movement.

Both pieces retain the characteristic **moiré “watered” pattern**, a finish created by pressing the silk under heat and pressure to produce the shimmering wave effect prized in fine ribbons of the period.

One ribbon appears in a delicate **blush pink**, while the second is a soft **pale blue with scattered decorative slubs that resemble tiny trails of metallic or gold-toned thread** woven intermittently into the fabric. These small accents appear intentionally placed and do not run continuously through the yardage, giving the ribbon a particularly interesting and decorative character.

Such wide silk ribbons were commonly used around **1900–1915** for trimming hats, tying dramatic sashes, decorating lingerie cases, or accenting formal garments. Today they remain highly desirable for **historic sewing projects, millinery restoration, textile collections, or romantic display with antique sewing tools and garments.**

### Fabric Note

These ribbons are woven of **silk moiré taffeta**, sometimes referred to as “watered silk,” a fabric created by finishing silk taffeta under pressure rollers to produce the luminous wave pattern that shifts softly with the light.

### Measurements

**Blue Ribbon**
• Length: 2 yards 29 inches
• Width: 6 3/4 inches

**Pink Ribbon**
• Length: 34 inches
• Width: 6 inches

### Condition

Both ribbons show **signs of age and prior use**, which is common for antique silk textiles.

Condition notes include:
• Some staining and age marks
• Areas of wear and minor damage
• Light creasing from storage

Despite these imperfections, the ribbons remain **displayable and useful for decorative or textile study purposes**, with especially attractive color and surface texture.

Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

### A Collector’s Note

Wide silk millinery ribbons of this type were essential materials in the Edwardian sewing room. Even fragments were often saved by careful homemakers for future trimming work. Surviving lengths like these offer a glimpse into the **luxurious finishing details that once adorned hats, gowns, and decorative household items.**

Today they are treasured by **textile collectors, costume designers, and lovers of antique sewing materials**.

Additional Textile Note

An interesting detail appears in the pale blue ribbon: scattered intermittent slub-like threads with a subtle golden tone woven into the fabric. These threads appear in short runs rather than continuously along the length, suggesting a decorative novelty weft intentionally introduced during the weaving process. Such subtle textural accents were occasionally used in higher quality Edwardian millinery ribbons to add visual depth and catch the light when worn on hats or garments.

A most charming and versatile assortment of vintage ribbon yardage and decorative rosettes, thoughtfully preserved and ready to inspire your next creative project. This curated grouping spans several decades, offering a beautiful blend of color, texture, and delicate craftsmanship.

From soft ombré silks to sheer airy ribbon and finely gathered rosettes, each piece carries the quiet elegance of earlier sewing traditions—ideal for embellishing doll clothing, heirloom garments, handmade journals, or millinery work.

**Included in this collection:**

* Blue ombré ribbon with gold metallic edging
*Measures approximately 21 1/2″ long x 7/8″ wide*
Unused, with gentle age-related small wear holes at fold points (see photos)

* Sheer green ribbon (likely 1930s)
*Measures approximately 39″ long x 1″ wide*
Light, airy, and in lovely unused condition

* Tiny pink ombré ribbon
*1/2 yard x 1/4″ wide*

* Purple ribbon rosette (circa 1920s)
*Approximately 1 1/4″ diameter*
Crafted of early rayon silk with a soft sheen

* Six miniature ribbon rosettes (circa 1920s)
*Each approximately 1″ long x 1/4″ wide*
Sweetly detailed in pastel tones

* Pale blue rosette with trailing ties (1940s–1950s)
*Approximately 2″ diameter*
Unused and beautifully preserved

* Cotton thread tassel
*Approximately 2″ in length*
Clean and unused

**Fabric & Materials Note:**
This assortment features a mix of early rayon silk, sheer synthetic ribbon, and cotton thread elements—materials commonly used in millinery and decorative sewing from the 1920s through the mid-20th century. The rayon silk rosettes, in particular, exhibit that soft, luminous quality so characteristic of the period.

**Condition:**
Overall very good vintage condition. Most pieces are unused, with minor age-related wear such as a few small holes to the blue ribbon from storage. All items remain highly usable and display beautifully.

### **Collector’s Note**

Small bundles like this were often saved by dressmakers and home seamstresses, tucked away for future mending or embellishment. Today, they offer a rare opportunity to work with authentic period trims—each piece a quiet survivor of earlier creative hands.

Estimate length of ribbon is 5 to 7 yards in length and is 1/2″ in width. Unused and appears to be in very nice condition.
Spools of this age are getting harder to find. This one with the Art Silk label, even though part of the paper label missing, much of the remaining yardage is still on the spool.