Tuesday, August 31, 2010

(Not So) Vintage Atomic Era Barkcloth Fabric!

This beautiful, atomic-era, vintage barkcloth is now mine! I found 2 yards of this glorious fabric on eBay last week for $42.00 USD (price includes shipping costs). I was so excited when I got home from work yesterday and saw the package on the porch!

The fabric is heavy and feels so crisp and new! I am going to make pillows and curtains for my TV/fireplace room! I am so jazzed! However, I am a little nervous to use it since I need to measure out the right amount of fabric and use the yardage wisely! I have to be careful not to waste it since I can't go out and get more.

So, have any of you ladies bought vintage fabric? What did you make? How was the experience? And, do you have any suggestions or tips when it comes to working with vintage, one-of-a-kind fabric?

8 comments:

  1. I have bought vintage fabric (it’s always been a weakness of mine, even before I knew how to sew—that and vintage patterns) and have used a couple of my purchases to make up a dress and a blouse so far. It's a bit nerve-wracking when you first start cutting out your pattern though!

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  2. I have LOTS of vintage fabric and I too get nervous cutting it, I would just suggest measure, measure and measure again to be sure, don't panic and give yourself plenty of time. You'll be sooo glad you did it, I finally used my fab vintage bathroom fabric for curtains and I'm so glad I did!!

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  3. Jitterbugdoll,

    I am already nervous about cutting it! lol! I just need to take my time, plan my patterns, and measure!

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  4. Straight Talking Mama,

    Thanks for the measuring advice! I will be sure to measure the heck of the fabric and plan my patterns before I even think about cutting it!

    I bet your curtains are lovely! There is just something magical about vintage fabric!

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  5. Actually the reason it feels new is because it is new, so don't be nervous about cutting it. That's a reproduction 50's style pattern and can be found in various fabric shops around the internet.
    I reupholstered the interior of a 53 Ford in the gray version of that same pattern 4 years ago.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/67515333@N00/1465396622/

    http://www.jandofabrics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=bar00045

    MaryDeluxe

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  6. MaryDeluxe,

    Fiddlesticks! I was buffaloed! The seller on eBay made it seem like the fabric was vintage in the description!

    And you know what, after I read your comment, I looked over the fabric and saw a "2003 copyright" on it! Darn it all!

    Oh well, the fabric is still great and I do not feel so nervous about cutting it. I made a window curtain and matching table runner last night. They came out well. I am going to make a pillow and two place mats later.

    I am so jealous of your car! Talk about a beaut! I have a 05 Volvo. I like my car and it is reliable but I want a 1941, pre-war side step truck!

    Thanks again for the heads up! I would have bought the fabric anyway but to lure people with "vintage" is just dishonest!

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  7. I made curtains with the same fabric you bought, only the color is different. That fabric has a very nice weight and it was very easy to work with. Measure twice, cut once.

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  8. Jennie,

    The fabric is very true to the look of the 50s, atomic-era for sure! It does indeed have a great weight! I also agree that it has been easy working with it. I made two place mats earlier today and they came out well. I also made a table runner with beaded edges and a window curtain. I am going to make a pillow and a set of coasters but I need to get a new set of needles for my sewing machine. My last needle broke this morning!

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