Help, Trying To Date Fabric

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10-29-2010, 07:58 PM

#11

hazeljane

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Tulsa, OK

Posts: 799

I use lots of vintage fabric, and I put this at late 40's or 50's. If it is good cotton fabric, I would have no hesitation about using it in a quilt. Vintage fabric needs to be used, IMO, otherwise it is wasted. I make handbags out of vintage barkcloth, and occasionally, use it in a quilt, because I don't want to cut the design that much, but it always makes me happy to use it.

You shouldn't be afraid to cut it up if it fits in your quilt. What good does it do in a drawer? If you use it, it gets seen and appreciated, and you have something in your quilt that is a little unique and different and NOT like everyone else's fabric. Go for it!

10-29-2010, 08:17 PM

#12

sueisallaboutquilts

Power Poster

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Ohio

Posts: 17,068

I totally agree with HazelJane. Use it and enjoy it!!

10-29-2010, 08:30 PM

#13

Toto's Mom

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: N. Texas

Posts: 1,768

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janie Q

How wide is the fabric if it still has the selvedge edges? Older fabric was about 36 inches wide I think. Thats how I tell if something is older and not a reproduction. The pattern does look like its 40's or 50's but they are making alot of reproductions now so its hard to tell just from the design.

Yes, definitely late 40's early 50's. My Mom used to do sewing for other people, and taught me to sew before I started grade school. I got scraps to sew with, and make doll clothes. I saw this fabric design in a tablecloth from that era. I also had a wool felt blazer in 1954 that had these same Mexican designs appliqued on it and embellished with sequins and embroidery. And the width is a dead giveaway, if it is 36 wide. I have some vintage cotton fabric in my stash that came from Switzerland in that era, and it is only 29 inches wide. Minimum width on most cottons now is 45 wide, I believe.