Kafka Ribbons and how to use them

We are delighted to bring you a selection of gorgeous Kafka ribbons here are Beyond Measure. Customers often admire these beautiful designs but ask me "What can I do with them?".  So here I am collating some ideas for you.

But first, some history....

The Kafka Ribbon Weaving Mill in Wuppertal-Langerfeld, Germany, has produced traditionally made ribbons on lovingly cared-for Jacquard weaving looms since 1898. Due to a downturn in business, it almost closed in 1981 but was saved by Frauke Kafka who ran the mill successfully for almost 20 years as a living museum. She designed a unique collection of traditional ribbons in new colors, as well as her own designs, to revive the mill’s fortunes.

In 2010 the Bandweberei Kafka moved into a new spacious, listed building to house the ever-growing collection of ribbons, literature and illustrative materials, ensuring the history, machinery and designs can be preserved for future generations. 

Read on for some delightful ways that you can use them to embellish your projects and homes….

We also have a Pinterest Board which will be updated regularly – please email us your ribbon project images to be included.

First, we will list some of the most obvious ways to use your Kafka Ribbons:

Trim your clothes – ribbons look great on pockets, waistbands, cuffs and yokes, or splash out and embellish a hem, waist tie or coat front.  Double up your ribbon to make a hanging loop or a label.

This single motif ribbon would make a lovely label

Home furnishings – how about add ribbon to curtains, cushions, lampshades, picture frames or shelf edges for a really folky effect? I used some of our herbs ribbon to add a bit of luxury to my linen privacy panel in my back yard.

On Knitwear – the ribbons are very stable so can be used inside a button band on a cardigan or to stabilize a steeked edge.

Trim accessories – hats are a classic - use a ribbon trim around the crown, or a small bow or rosette on a fascinator or beret.  How about around the cuffs of gloves or bags?  We used Daisy Ribbon to trim these slippers (pattern is the Whisper Slippers by Dhurata Davies)

Personal effects – I think the ribbons would make a beautiful bookmark, attached to a piece of linen or felt.  Or use them as a notebook/tablet/phone cover.

Sewing accessories – I used some of the Sprigs Ribbon to trim this pincushion, making the sides a little deeper to accommodate the ribbon width 
(free pattern link here).

And we also used some of the retro flower ribbon to add interest to this vintage striped cotton fabric that Mandy made into the Aneela Hoey Pouch
(pattern available here).

Artist projects – our lovely customer Colleen used her ribbon and one of our buttons to embellish her slow stitch project.  I love the way the ribbon and buttons add even more interest to her beautiful embroidered stitch roll.

I will be adding some more ideas to the blog soon, and will be doing a special focus on festive decorations, so keep an eye out or subscribe to our newsletter.