You might remember I bought a box of fabric at a while ago and this bag of fabric was in the box.
Well I was at Goodwill and I checked their fabric. I was surprised to find this bag…
I peeked into the bag and thought there were more calicos in the bag….but $10. REALLY?? That’s too much. I circled around the store and came back. Yes…I was going to buy it. I sure hoped it was worth it.
I opened the bag and immediately pulled this….
I didn’t need any of those so put them in a pile to pass them on.
Then I found this….
Not bad. Most of the pieces are 1/2 yard or more. I guess the $10 wasn’t as bad of a price as I thought it might be.
Isn’t it funny how before I never saw a piece of these calicos and now I’m finding them all the time. Hmmm. I think before long, I’m going to have enough of them to make a quilt.
I think it’s time that I can start looking for the perfect pattern to showcase them. If you have any ideas, feel free to send any ideas my way.
Hi Jo! Have you shared with us how you sort and store your fabrics, now that you’ve redone your studio?
Congrats on the grandbabies! They are a joy!
Keeping you and Kramer in my thoughts and prayers!
The ladies that made quilts in the calico era are either no longer quilting or passing away. Any of the patterns popular in the 30’s would work for the calico’s.
I’ve been using up 30’s fabrics for a row a along I”m hosting. I would love to be a fly on the wall to see the person who brings those fabrics that you find to the Thrift Stores. What is their thought process? They all look washed as well which is a bonus. I brought home a raggedy piece from church last week and it is now a simple tote bag, edged with Alabama University fabric. Any Alabama fans out there?
I recognize some of those calicos. In fact I still have some of them. Back in the late 70s I used to make Christmas ornaments to sell at craft fairs along with some jute wreaths. Those were the days. I still have some of those ornaments. Boy am I old! I can’t wait to see what you do with those beauties. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I have recently seen the X and + quilt on Pinterest. It can be a very scrappy and cheerful quilt. I have put it on my list to make one. Also, Lori Holt has a vintage sew-along going with free block patterns that are based on 30’s quilt blocks.
If that was my fabric I would look for a 1930’s quilt pattern with a lot of white or white on white, if used with 1/2 square triangles. Maybe a Dresden plate pattern with a white background would be nice. Just my thoughts. Enjoy a family weekend, and thoughts and prayers with you through this journey of healing.
I too recognize some of those fabrics! I started quilting while in high school in the 70’s. The local 5 & dime had a table of flat folds from which I purchased these fabrics. Oh, such a fun memory.
A recent post on another blog came to mind for those fabrics and the link is below. It’s really cute and free!
Loved the photo of you and that big hugger Karl! What a blessing to have him home with all of you!
http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com/2019/02/home-grown-blog-hop-and-giveaway.html
Hmm, almost any ’30s pattern would work. Simple might be better. Love the idea of getting material at the thrift store. Still praying for you all to have the strength to walk the valley of sickness in the family. Enjoyed the pics of your newest Grand babies.
What you have been finding remind me of the calicoes that Little Quilts often had in their adorable patterns in the 90s. I still love them.
I definitely bought many of those calicos in the late 70s and 80s. And I would have to strongly disagree with Toni Wood about those of us that used those fabrics “no longer quilting or passing away.” I’m 62 yo and based on my stash I had better be quilting for many more years.
I think the calicos would be perfect for this year’s One Block Wednesday block: https://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/2019/01/one-block-wednesday_16.html.
Everyone must be cleaning out their old 70s fabrics. I recognized almost all of those prints. LOL. If you do decide to make a quilt out of them I would recommend using cotton or at least 80/20 batting. Those fabrics didn’t stand up well to polyester batting when they were new & I doubt they’ve gotten tougher with age.
They look like the 70s or 80s fabric to me. I think they would look cute in a Carolina Chain quilt.
I love those calicos and fabric from the 30’s. I have a Christmas quilt coming together made with the Aunt Grace Christmas collection. Lucky you on your finds!
Continuing to keep your family in my prayers – I’ll bet your just lovin’ on those grand babies.
Cute calicoes! Maybe Georgia needs a Sunbonnet Sue quilt??