patricej

i was wondering this morning ... at what point does a fabric graduate from "old and/or used" to "vintage"? and how much longer after that before it's considered "antique"?

i think i still have some things left over from the 90s. that was a previous decade. are they old and out of style? or are they vintage?

serious question. i look forward to some ejemucation on this subject. :-)

clem55

What is vintage fabrics, how old, how do you tell? I see new fabric that looks like old patterns to me, like from my grandmother or mom, their time 20,30. 40's? I really don"t know how to tell jusdt by looking. Anymore people can make things look real old just to pass it off to people like me. Or, are you talking about clothing, linens, hankies, things like that?

CarrieAnne

LOL, vintage now seems to be stuff we had when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. Funny to see that stuff in Antique stores! I really dont know what is considered vintage...
We have a big Salvation Army fabric sale once a year, thats where I've gotten my vintage fabric.

Deborah12687

I consider fabric vintage that is from 1930's or older all the way up to last years fabric once it is discontinued. To me vintage means not redelly availble anymore.

patricej

kewl! that means most of mine is vintage. :lol:

Butterflyblue

I think some places consider vintage to be 25 years or older (Etsy guidelines on what is considered "vintage). Antique is 100 years or older.

I like to sew with vintage if I find some that I like. I like a lot of the crazy colorful stuff from the 70's and the little floral prints from the early 80's. But mostly what I come across isn't any good for quilting, it's more apparel fabric (polyester, anyone?).

CarrieAnne

Polyester pantsuits madeinto quilts would last forever, you guys! I still see those things sometimes at Goodwill, Ick, and they were itchy!

thequilterslink

I have a small tote of vintage fabric, and 2-3 quilt tops of older stuff. I love looking at the patterns of the fabric. I have a polyester quilt i made it is so warm, my fav lap quilt in the winter, it is very ugly and tied, but i love it.

hazeljane

I find quite a bit and often for good prices, on eBay. Most of the merchants will tell you, if they are able, if the fabric is cotton, or feels like cotton or whatever. I don't pay as much attention to the definitions of "vintage" because I will also buy repros (like my beloved 30's) if I find them at a good price.

I have fabrics that are valuable (in a general market sense- desirable and therefor generally cost more) and less so, and the difference between the two is none- except for taste and trend. I will pay more for a barkcloth that has an atomic or machine age pattern, because they are more in demand right now. Also for large yardage, because if I want to make curtains or cover furniture, I need more. But smaller floral or landscape barkcloth- I am more likely to pass if it gets too high. There is plenty of it, and I don't want to be in a war.

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to "quilting" cotton, because that is a very new term. Our grandmothers (and mothers) used old clothing, old sheets, leftover yardage. There was no such thing as fabric made especially to quilt, except for maybe whole cloth.

I will say that it is much easier to sew a quilt top if all of the fabrics are similar in weight and texture. This does not stop me from using all kind of other things, but it is sometimes nice to have the smoothness of a consistent texture.

In the cloth I buy, I check for stains or small holes, I also am leery of musty odors, which sometimes come out, but sometimes indicate that the fabric is starting to break down. If a heavy cotton, like a barkcloth, feels cardboardy and very dusty (after washing) it is likely to be too brittle to hold up in a quilt or really anything.

I've had people come in my home and wonder when I'm going to get rid of the "original" drapes, which I made myself this year out of old unused stock. LOL. They suit my 1958 house and I like them. I don't get offended when others don't- I just do my own thing.

lfw045

In fact, I have a big stack of fabric that was dye cut I would say 4" squares that my aunt gave to me that belonged to my grandmother. My mother and her sister worked in garment factories back then....oh maybe 1940's......and I bet that is where they came from. Hmmmm?