One of the questions I get asked quite frequently is what fabrics, colors, and patterns would be appropriate for a period or a particular sewing pattern. Well, here’s a little peek at a few catalog images from 1933. When looking at fabrics it’s always best to go to original source material, and color catalogs are a fantastic way to get a description of fabrics available, fibre content, colorways, and prints. Click the images for a larger version. Enjoy these images from 1933!
Rozann
June 8, 2012 at 6:25 pm (12 years ago)Fabulous resource. Reproduction 1930’s fabrics are available in quilt stores all over, and on line. They look very similar to the fabrics shown. Thanks for sharing.
Lauren
June 9, 2012 at 9:45 am (12 years ago)I am so thankful that our local quilt store carries prints very similar to these. :)
CoudreMode
June 9, 2012 at 4:02 am (12 years ago)Lovely! I wish these patterns were reproduced as fashion fabric instead of just quilting cottons, *sigh*
Lauren
June 9, 2012 at 9:40 am (12 years ago)I agree! A girl can only have so many housedresses. I’ve considered making some on Spoonflower since they have some fashion fabrics now, but it’s a little pricey
StephC
June 12, 2012 at 11:00 pm (12 years ago)The quality of their printed apparel fabrics is really nice… The organic cotton knit is rather “casual” but the sateen would make great dresses and the silk-cotton satin and the silke crepe de chine are really great quality… I tested some of my designs on them and then subjected the swatches to rigorous torture tests…
It’s only a *little* more expensive than fabrics here, but I guess it’s quite cost prohibitive for a whole dress… Hmm… I’d love to see what you’d do on Spoonflower, though…
Laura
June 9, 2012 at 6:20 am (12 years ago)I love these 1930’s fabrics, and I love the prices even more! I wish we could buy fabric for 15 cents a yard! Although, upon closer look, some of the prices are a little high…for the 1930’s. 79 cents a yard would have been a dear sum of money for that time period, no?
Thanks for sharing!
Lauren
June 9, 2012 at 9:47 am (12 years ago)That’s a good point! Just for kicks I plugged it into the Inflation Calculator and the price of that fabric in 2010 would have been $13.16. I guess that’s almost comparable to today!
Inflation Calculator website, if you want to play around :) http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
Jen
June 9, 2012 at 12:45 pm (12 years ago)Oh my, these are so pretty! Thanks for posting this! I’ve a book of 40s and 50s frocks (with a few from the 30s in it, too); it’s really interesting to see how some of the prints change over the decades. The 30s ones are very small and cheery…they seemed to get bigger and bigger in later years.
Beth
June 9, 2012 at 2:28 pm (12 years ago)I just got a “new” early 30’s pattern in the mail (1934, I think) so this post is perfect for helping me nail the perfect print for it. Thanks!
Ange
June 11, 2012 at 6:40 am (12 years ago)This is great. I had no idea that the thirties had such florals. I always thought they were more into geometric prints (Or is that the 20s?!)
Excellent resource, thanks!
Isis
June 12, 2012 at 5:09 am (12 years ago)Massive fabric want! So lovely!