Why Don’t You…Start a Ribbon Collection? |

There are a lot of activities you may want to try during your spare time or your summer holidays including making something for yourself, like a basic dress or a skirt.

But if you don't feel up to this challenge, why don't you try starting a fashion-related yet not very expensive collection? A good idea could be an album of ribbons like the one illustrating this post (1850-80; donated from Cambridge University Library to the Victoria & Albert Museum). Such collections were popular in the 1800s, but maybe the time has come to make them fashionable again.

Where to start? Visit flea markets, second-hand clothes shops or historical haberdashery shops in countries such as Italy or France or browse the Internet for bargains, you'll definitely discover some lovely pieces for your collection and maybe even find a new hobby with the potential of becoming a new and fun obsession.