Running Out Of Ribbon

I’ve got one week left to work on my Japanese wall-hanging and I’m almost there. I was counting down to being done right up until I ran out of a key material. I’ve been spinning my wheels ever since.

My background includes a staircase to help add depth to the scene. I had hoped to use plain stitching for the edges of the steps but it isn’t thick enough to be seen at a distance. So I went back to an idea I had earlier — very narrow ribbon. I had a roll of satin ribbon that was 1/8-inch wide but there wasn’t enough. I found an untouched roll of grosgrain ribbon the same color and width at my local craft supply thrift store and cheered. Since there was more of that than the satin, I used it for my stair edges, certain there would be enough.

There wasn’t enough. 

I ran out with one line left to go.

The agonizing began. I could use the satin ribbon for that last step, but I’m afraid it will be obvious (even from a distance) that it’s different. So I’ve been scouring my local stores for more 1/8-inch grosgrain ribbon. There’s plenty of black grosgrain out there, but it’s all too wide.

Since I only needed 17 more inches, I dug through my ribbon stash. I have bags of bits and pieces and I thought I might find a scrap of something that would work. The closest I’ve gotten is some black bias tape which is too wide, but unlike ribbon, I can actually cut it down. And it has the right sort of finish to blend in with the grosgrain.

Will I ignore my perfectionist tendencies and use the satin ribbon for the last step? Or will I fiddle with cutting down the bias tape? I currently do not know. So I guess we’ll all find out next week!