Recently, I was in the mood to buy some reproduction fabrics. I was specifically looking for fabrics that would have been made at about the time my home was built, in 1821.

I was absolutely delighted to see that on the selvages of fabric, manufacturers are now stating when the fabric was first made. The dates of what I bought actually ranged from about 1835-1875. I may not use them in the same quilt, but it’s nice to have them.

With early (reproduction) fabrics, I notice a tendency toward madder prints. The madder root traditionally yielded various colors, depending on the mordant used.

There is something fascinating and charming about old fabrics. I can’t get enough of them. One of the reasons I like seeing more information printed on the edge is that if the strip is saved, along with a swatch of fabric, it will be easier for quilt historians to identify the pieces and match them with an exact date, in the future.

Some people have various ways of saving selvages, including sewing them into a quilt of their own. Others glue swatches into notebooks, particularly books with acid-free paper.

I have not cut into a piece of the fabric yet. I have all the fat quarters rinsed, pressed, and ready to go. Don’t tempt me. I may have to “pet” the fabric a little longer. After all, isn’t that what any self-respecting quilter does?

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 3:36 pm and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.