Last Saturday, Jeff walked into the kitchen as I was making breakfast and said, “It’s too hot to do anything outside, but I don’t want to sit around the house all day.  Let’s go somewhere. Let’s check out some antique stores you’ve never been to.”  Now, I rarely sit around the house all day, so I already had plans of painting and working on this and that.  But, Jeff also rarely suggests going to antique stores, so even though I was mentally geared up for a day at home, I agreed to the proposed outing.  We went to Cumberland, MD, which is a beautiful area but practically the entire downtown area was a construction zone, so many of the stores we would’ve visited were temporarily closed or it was just too hot to do a lot of exploring on foot.  Fortunately, we had stopped in Hancock, MD first to check out the Hancock Antique Mall & Flea Market.

As we first started browsing around, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to find anything, but I have learned that you never know what will pop up where and you can’t always judge on appearances. While there were some nicer antiques to be found, the overall feel of the store was one of a thrift shop divided into booths.  It definitely felt more like a flea market than an antique mall.  I found a few pieces that caught my eye – an antique high chair, an ironstone tureen, some old tools, but nothing that I had to buy and take home.

Just when we were nearing the last row of the store, a booth full of ribbons and trim caught my eye.  At first glance, I thought I might find a roll of ribbon or two to add to the stash, but once I started digging, I realized this was a treasure trove.  i started grabbing a few things, cradling them in my arms, until I realized I wouldn’t be able to carry all of the treasures.

“Jeff, you’d better get a cart.”

The awesome thing about Jeff is that he used to protest when I asked him to grab a shopping cart to fill with spools of vintage ribbons, but he’s learned that my gut instincts are pretty solid regarding great antique and vintage finds.  He came back with the cart and, as I started filling it, I pointed out some French grosgrain ribbon in a soft celadon green.  “This would easily sell for $1/yard and this spool is $2/50 yards.  I put four in the cart – two are 3/4″ wide and two are 1 1/2” wide.  There were more rolls and I was tempted to buy them to sell, but I figured I would leave them for another ribbon-lover to find.

Once I got passed the rolls of French ribbon, I started spotting rolls of antique paper-wrapped ribbons.  Oh my…they are so beautiful.  Most of them were $2-3/roll with the most expensive being $7.00 for a roll of 4″ wide brown silk ribbon.

I also picked up a grab box of ribbons for $21 and some vintage trim.  There were tassels and curtain tie-backs for $1-2.00 and tons of cording, gimp, trims, buttons, and notions, but I tried to buy the things I loved most and thought I would use.

I’m guessing the vendor purchased as a store or warehouse was closing down because it all looked like new/old stock.  He obviously got a good deal because his prices were amazing.  (I know the vendor was a man because they told me at checkout that he used to have two booths in this antique mall and sometimes runs 50% off sales.)

When I got my treasures home, I sorted through the grab box and made a bag to donate the ribbons I didn’t want.  I bought the box for some rolls of navy grosgrain ribbon, but the primary draw was this woven blue and white striped ribbon.

I don’t even know how much of it I have, but it’s a lot!

All of the trim and ribbons smelled a little musty and of mothballs, so I waited for a sunny, breezy day and I put them outside on the patio to air out.  I turned everything over mid-day and brought them in that evening.  Putting old things out in the sun and fresh air is one of the gentlest and easiest ways to remove musty odors.  It’s going to take a lot more to get out strong spells like smoke, but this will do the trick for most pieces that have been stored for a long time.

“Solar cleaning” takes only about an hour and will work as a disinfectant, anti-fungal, and will even help to get rid of dust mites.

It’s perfect for things you can’t easily throw in the wash.

I left them out most of the day to benefit from the breeze and the musty smell is noticeably less than it was.  Depending on the project, I could put a length ribbon or trim in a delicates bag and put it through the washing machine before I use it if I feel it’s necessary.  I just couldn’t wash and re-spool all of it!

While I was excited about all of the finds, the ones that were most exciting were the antique ribbons on their original spools and in original paper wrapping.  I have two rolls of French ribbon in that condition that I bought from Maria of Dreamy Whites, but I never thought I would find some at a rural antique mall in Maryland.

The ribbons are beautiful, but I will likely use these spools as decor.  They are just so rare!

These spools are probably from the 1920s – 1950s, but I would have to do more research to pinpoint them.

The French grosgrain ribbon is another favorite.  I’m sure this one will get heavily used, especially around Christmas.

I also got several spools of navy grosgrain ribbon in varying widths…

And, I picked up some of the trim as well.  I’ve always loved trims on pillows and curtains, but I think it’s become a little old-fashioned.  When used the right way, I think it can elevate an entire room.  I bought this off-white trim not really sure what it is!  Anyone know?  I’m thrown off by the black thread.  Is that supposed to be cut or is that the part that should be sewn into the fabric?  Anyway, I thought it was a cool texture and I could figure it out.

There was a stack of this olive green gimp trim, so I picked up two spools for $5/each.  This is great for trimming out upholstery, lampshades, or pillows.

And, I couldn’t resist this onion-shaped bauble fringe in cream and pale green.  At just $6/spool, it was an incredible deal.  Trims like this can be $10-30/yard or even more depending on the material, maker, and store.

I’m not sure where I’ll use it, yet, but it works well with many rooms in my house, so the right project will present itself.

As I was sharing about my ribbon and trim haul on Instagram, many people asked how I would use all of it.  While I don’t have specific plans for any of it, I told them you’ll see these ribbons and trims showing up in projects for many years!