Fabric Information and Facts     Fabric Identification     Fabric Care     Natural Fibers       Wool       Cotton       Silk       Linen       Hemp, Ramie, and Jute     Man made or Manufactured Fibers     Weaves     Q&A     Wisdom Looking for Fabric Projects Overwhelmed? Site Map Site Search Site Info Advertising Tools for Sources Columns Vintage Fabrics   November 20 - A Celebration of Joan Kiplinger 1933 - 2009   February 20 - Is There a Silver Moon in Your Quilt?   January 20 - Part III: Any Powder Puffs or DayLee in Your Quilts?   December 20 - PART II: Any E&W Prints in Your Quilt?   November 20 - PART I: Any Rondo Prints in Your Quilt?   May 20 - Wrights - Memories of an American Institution   May 20 - Underground Railroad Quilt Code   October 20 - Up Close and Personal with Vintage Aprons   November 20 - Colorful Vintage Tablecloths and Towels   September 20 - The Legacy of Warren Featherbone   May 20 - Some Costumes for Elderly Ladies   March 20 - And That's a Wrap - Oh to be in my ki-moni-yo   February 20 - Life Was a Breeze with Fans   January 20 - Please Don't Ridicule My Reticule!   April 20 - More Mill Connections   February 20 - One Woman's Failed Struggle to Quit the Fabric Habit   January 20 - The Indian Head Connection 3   October 20 - The Indian Head Connection 2   September 20 - The Indian Head Connection 1   August 20 - Recycling Vintage Fabrics   July 20 - Sanforized: Fabric's Best Friend   June 20 - History of the Printed Tablecloth   May 20 - Decorative Relief Carving in Wooden Spools   April 20 - Vintage Hankies - More Than Sneeze Catchers   March 20 - Indian Head Remembered - Revisiting An American Institution   February 20 - Doll Couture Vintage Style   January 20 - Meet the Azlons from A to Z: Regenerated & Rejuvenated   December 20 - Osnaburg the Great Part 2 Home Beautiful with Cretonne, Chintz, Barkcloth & Crash   November 20 - Osnaburg the Great Part I -- Feedsacks on Our Backs   October 20 - WWII Fashions Part 2 --All Dolled up   September 20 - Cotton Dyeing in the 18th & 19th Century   August 20 - Hooked on Buttons   July 20 - Pillow Talk   June 20 - WWII Fashions   May 20 - A Going-Away Dress   April 20 - Harriet Quimby   January 20 - Capes   December 20 - Umbrellas   November 20 - Weaveprints   October 20 - Grenadine   September 20 - Bias Tape   August 20 - Dolls   July 20 - Thread Chart   June 20 - Vintage Costuming   April 20 - Building A Textile Reference Library   March 20 - Profile of Collector   February 20 - Feedbags   January 20 - Cambric   December 20 - Gizmos   November 20 - Trims   October 20 - Stores 1920-59   September 20 - 1880-1919   August 20 - Sweatshops   July 20 - Label Scandal   June 20 - Bias Tape   Extra: Bias Tape Chart   May 20 - Miracle Fibers   April 20, 2000   March 20, 2000   February 20, 2000   January 20, 2000   December 20, 1999

Vintage Fabrics  - IN SEARCH OF WARP ENDS By Joan Kiplinger Join Joan's New Vintage Fabric Discussion List! printer friendly versionRevised 2/26/02 - Bias Tape Article - Bias Tape Chart - Bias Tape Brands - Bias Tape Brands 2 - Misc Brands and Notions - Rickrack/Seam Binding/Other Notions - Printed Literature - Ads - Memorabilia September/October, 2001: (re-formatted from 6/00 article) Bias Tape Ads * Note: Any of these pictures that are outlined have larger views available. Just click on the outlined picture to view it larger. Wright's Christmas Catalog contained bias tape projects to make for gifts. Catalog is undated but is estimated to be c1919-early 20s from the fashions shown.      -Shirley McElderry Collection Fashionable pale pink organdy evening dress shown in Wright's Christmas catalog. Clever and intricate sash decorations are made from lavender, blue, green and pink silk bias tape.      -Shirley McElderry Collection Two early bias binding companies: N.V.B. [new velvet binding] and S.H. & M. Co. Ads are from Ladies Home Journal, May 1895. Wright's bias tape ad, Needlecraft Magazine April 1923.       - Courtesy Anne Papworth Nufashond bias tape ad, Needlecraft Magazine, October 1930.          - Courtesy Anne Papworth Wright's bias tape ad, Needlecraft Magazine, November 1931.             - Courtesy Anne Papworth 1917 Ad Ad for Nufashond rickrack booklet in Home Needlecraft, September 1916. Booklet was 10 cents; if it could not be found at fabric stores, then you could mail in 30 cents and receive booklet, one full length of rickrack braid and one ball of Nufashond mercerized crochet cotton.       - Courtesy Ellen Ambron Many outlets like Wotring Co. filled magazine pages with their ads for irregulars. This ad offered irregular seam binding as well as ribbons and knitting and crochet yarns. From spring-summer 1950 McCall's Needlework. - Courtesy Thelma Bernard collection Ad for Trimtex bias tape and other notions, a popular, reputable and durable brand name. From spring-summer 1950 McCall's Needlework. - Courtesy Thelma Bernard collection Wrights Bias Tape Booklet #17 contains many projects to make just in time for Christmas giving. There are also sheets of new designs to trace, all geared to bias tape wizardry. From Needlework 1927. - Courtesy Shirley McElderry. Bias Tape Article - Bias Tape Chart - Bias Tape Brands - Bias Tape Brands 2 - Misc Brands and Notions - Rickrack/Seam Binding/Other Notions - Printed Literature - Ads - Memorabilia

The arbitrary cut-off date for this Vintage Fabric column is 1960. To stay within the scope of this timeframe, reference materials published up to that date are the prime source of information to more accurately capture actual thoughts of the time.

Joan Kiplinger is an antique doll costumer and vintage fabric addict who learned to sew on her grandmother's treadle and has been peddling fabrications ever since.