Textiles and Linens

Vintage Print Tablecloths

2008-07-09T20:10:00Z

1940’s Textiles Feature Vivid Colors and Exciting Graphics

Twenty dollars can buy a 1940’s table cloth dripping in hand printed daisies or cherries, and because the cloths were mostly manufactured of pure cotton or linen in a durable, heavy-weight fabric, many have survived in useable condition. Careful laundering can sometimes remove even fifty-year old gravy stains, but some owners consider that the imperfections make them more useable, since the presence of existing stains releases one from worrying about spots of more recent vintage.

Textile Manufacturers of the 1940’s

Textiles for the table were manufactured in the 1940’s by:

Martex
Wilendure
St. Regis
Prints Charming
Bucilla
Startex
Table Tempo
Garden State
Radient Beauty
Queen Anne
California Hand Prints
M L Cloths
Designers Prints

Typical 1940’s Tablecloth Dimensions

Typical sizes include 36 x 36, 40 x 40, 48 x 50 and variations on the square or nearly square version for bridge tables and small kitchen tables. Rectangular cloths can be 54 x 60, 58 x 60, 60 x 72, and sometimes larger. The larger sizes are more expensive as they become increasingly harder to find. A typical tablecloth has two hemmed edges and two selvages (literally self-edge, the finished edge that is produced as the cloth is woven).

Graphic Design for Textiles

Unlike fabrics before or since that rely on an overall pattern to create interest, 40’s textiles frequently made use of negative space as a major design element. Tablecloths often have elaborate borders rendered in the background color (usually white) that mimic the shape or outline of the motif. The result is lively and eye-catching, more effect for the effort, an important aspect of a pattern that was created by a hand screening process. Even the plain geometric borders are frequently scalloped or wavy to create the effect of movement that makes these cloths so visually dynamic.

Artwork became even more flamboyant after World War II. Flowers such as roses, daffodils, iris, pansies, dogwood, daisies and tulips, and fruit especially cherries, strawberries and apples were popular, but so were fanciful floral concoctions not found in nature. As the decade progressed, the forms became more abstract until they evolved into the futuristic shapes of the 50’s. Not only were flowers abstract, so were colors, and blue tomatoes or maroon peaches abound.

Tablecloth Design Motifs

Lively prints were often combined with geography to create souvenir tablecloths. These cloths usually depict a central outline of the state with pictures of enticing attractions in their approximate locations. Texas, California and Florida are the easiest to find. A 48 inch square Florida cloth in a popular colorway like red and blue in excellent condition can bring as much as $75, but the average is between $40-50. Other popular cloths feature south of the boarder and Black memorabilia motifs

Vintage Tablecloth Values

As with most vintage items, condition, rarity and popularity play a large part in determining value. Cloths with crossover appeal, such as Black Americana or US State collectibles bring higher prices, as do those in popular colors such as red & periwinkle, jadeite or Fiestaware hues. And while the highest prices are paid for tablecloths in mint condition, especially those that were never used, collectors will also buy examples in used condition, albeit for lower prices. For example, a 44” x 50” red, blue and turquoise cherries cloth might bring $45 in nearly new condition, the same cloth with minor stains and yellowing could fetch $18-22.

Pennsylvania's Flag May Become A Collectible In The Near Future

2007-11-26T17:57:00Z

Collectors have highly valued historical United States' memorabilia since the birth of our nation in 1776, including the many flags that have transitioned through the years. According to a report on Foxnews.com, the Pennsylvania flag is in talks of being updated with a more recognizable image. Democratic State Rep. Tim Solobay says that “the Pennsylvania flag is so obscure that many people in the state cannot identify it.” Solobay submitted a proposal to the House lawmakers which passed in June with a 164-31 vote, and has since moved on to the Senate committee for consideration. On the opposite end of the argument, former teacher Peter Malichock Jr. calls the idea of changing the flag “outrageous,” stating that “they are dumbing down the flag because they are making it easier for people to identify it.” Others have concerns that replacing all the flags in the state would be too costly. Solobay stands by his proposal, suggesting that the new flags will be phased in over time, and in the newer version, the words “Commonwealth of” would appear above the coat of arms along with “Pennsylvania” below it, all in yellow silk block letters. Of the 50 states, 28 include the name or initials of the state on their flags, making them easier to identify. Check out the original article and take the 10-flag quiz to see just how many you know.

antique lace parasol

2007-08-31T10:57:00Z

Help--I simply cannot find a value on a beautiful, antique lace parasol. I can't even find a similar parasol on the internet. The handle is etched silver with a monogram on the bottom, but no silver mark. The top is all white lace and is in great condition except that it needs cleaning. I found it at an auction house in the Philadelphia area.

I know there has to be someone out there who knows what I'm talking about and I would be forever greatful.

Barb

Thrift Thursday - Antique Quilt Block

2007-08-23T21:51:00Z

One of my favorite pastimes is rummaging through piles of fabric at thrift stores. On occasion, I come up with a real treasure. My mom is an avid quilter, and I absolutely adore quilts - especially old quilts.

I found this hand-pieced quilt block about 2 years ago in one of my favorite vintage stores - New Bohemia in Austin, Texas. I had found two blocks from the same maker months before, and given them to my mom. Then I found this one, and decided to keep it!

I think the fabric is from the 1930s - but I am not sure. It is very old, and the prints are amazing. I just pinned it to a piece of acid free paper and framed it in a cheapie frame. It hangs in my "textile corner" at the iTaggit offices.

One of the things I love about iTaggit is how I can store so much information about each item - multiple pictures, the story of how I bought it, and all kinds of specialized fields depending on the item's category. My mom recently added a collection of her small quilts - check them out! Much more on quilting and quilters to come!