Retro Age Vintage Fabrics

Inspiration Scrap Pack giveaway!

2009-11-24T19:49:00.003+11:00

The lovely Pip from Meet Me at Mikes is having a wonderful week of happy thoughts and happy things - and what better way to be happy than by giving something away to make someone else happy! Phew - that was a mouthful...did it make sense?

We've decided to be a part of her giveaway central and would like to offer a lucky ready the chance to win one of our famous scrap packs. And we're offering two packs! Yes - that's right - two lucky readers have the chance to win one pack of 10 lovely vintage fabrics! For more info on our scrap packs see here.

To win one of these packs simply leave a comment to this post finishing the sentence "I love scrap fabric because...."

Giveaway closes Tuesday 1 December at around 8pm - good luck!

Grant Featherston chairs

2009-11-24T19:25:00.003+11:00

I love mid-century furniture. I think our home is in a time warp. People who love new furniture walk into our house and usually don't know what to make of it. Nothing really modern - all old furniture and collectables with old prints of nudies decorating the wall. Lots of glassware. Lots of Aussie pottery. Lots of things made in the 1970s and before...

I have always dreamt of coming across a Grant Featherston chair - no design in particular - any of them would do! I love his form and silhouette - particularly the legs, for some reason. His design epitomises mid-century chic to me...

Perhaps I will come across that old furniture place in the back blocks somewhere - some place no antiques dealer has visited. And I'll walk through the old hallways...on one side shall be a room filled with vintage fabric...and in the other shall be a Grant Featherston chair. Just waiting for me.

Does this feeling still exist? #2

2009-11-23T22:03:00.002+11:00

What do you think is going on here? There is such a casualness about this shot. Are they posing? Are they between shots? What is in that basket, do you think?

I want her pencil skirt and the classic stripped top.

Sigh...carefree 50s?

Does this feeling still exist?

2009-11-22T21:01:00.002+11:00

Does this still exist? Every time I spy this pic (the front of a 1956 Home Beautiful magazine) I can almost feel her relaxation. Her jobs are done. Her patio edging is complete. Now is the time for her to sit back, grab that romance and wile away the afternoon...

I remember Sunday afternoons were once like that - but that was when I was a kid.

Now the days are filled, filled, filled!

We had a busy week last week so we're taking things a little slower around these parts this week. I am reminding myself what life is supposed to be filled up with - anything but toil! So we've had lovely guests, a jam-packed happy weekend and we're looking forward to some quiet (and not so hot!) days this week. Perhaps I can even pop in some exercise (eeeekkkk) and dash around the block a little? Don't laugh if you drive by.....

Vintage aprons...a sweet tale about Grandma

2009-11-19T21:35:00.003+11:00

This arrived in my inbox this morning - I thought it was a lovely way to remember the aprons of years past...

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material - but, along with that, it served as a pot holder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasions was even used for cleaning our dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying egg, fussy chicks, and sometimes half hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal for hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought in to the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the Autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in for dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Remember...

Grandma used to set her hot, baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her grand-daughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs was on that apron...

It's someones special day...

2009-11-18T19:03:00.002+11:00

It's a quick blog update today as it's a rather special day for a little someone who became a part of our family two years ago. What a special day! I love two-year-olds - well, apart from the arguing with his brother and the cry of MINE 20 million times a day. And the shopping trips when he wants his own basket, like below. Happy Birthday my little one - we adore you :)

Of course I couldn't let today pass without some American Fabrics advertisement love from 1947. I love that black bird on the moon - very myserious. I have got some gorgeous pieces from the 1950s coming up soon.

And thank you to the very special Kim from True Up for posting about this blog today. She made me feel very, very special - all warm and gooey and loved :) - thanks, Kim!

Personal faves from the 1940s...

2009-11-17T20:25:00.002+11:00

Aren't these the bomb? I love the use of textiles in the actual advertisement - you can almost feel the texture! We are flat stick at the moment and our little one turns two tomorrow - so recent days we've been run off our feet! More information on our little Retro Age lives in the coming days...for now, I hope you love these gorgeous vintage advertisements from 1947!

Amazing mono textile design - 1947

2009-11-16T19:55:00.002+11:00

I love wearing black. I am always in black. Almost seven days a week. I truly respect the wonderful yin and yang of black and white. Such a classic colourway. These shots are from the Summer season, 1947 - American Fabrics magazines. Enjoy!

The classic 1940s palette...well, 1947 to be exact

2009-11-15T20:43:00.003+11:00

These shots are taken from a great page of swatches 'for the coming season' from the Summer 1947 edition of American Fabrics. They depict a classic 1940s palette - I just couldn't help but share the colours and their names with you. So many of our vintage fabrics have mixtures of these colours.

The above pic has evergreen, woodland green, sapphire blue and sky blue.

The above pic has apple green, berkshire green, moonstone gray, pink ruby and peacock blue.

The above pic has shamrock green, guardsman blue, cranberry and clair de lune.

This final shot has capri blue, haze blue, beaver brown and pernod.

It's wonderful to get an idea of the colour hues and names. Aren't they a classic? If you take three to four of those colours you get so many classic fabric colourways - looking at them, they are a trul complement to each other.

I hope more of the AF mags have these type of swatch pages - it's one of the first I have come across in my many hours of pouring over the mags. On the next page to the fabric swatches I came across a table of what colours people were choosing to wear - I found them quite interesting, too - and I am sure you can see why. Favourites of 'classes'? Amazing. And Teen-Age Tallies???

Some lovely vintage fabrics coming soon...and time!

2009-11-14T21:43:00.003+11:00

If it's one thing I would wish for it would be to make some more time. But you can't make time, I hear - bah! So that means I have to use my time very wisely. I make lists, lists and more lists. I strike through the completed things, but then more things are added to the list. It's a veritable merry-go-round of black handwriting and red lines.

If I can't make more time does that mean I have to use my time more effectively?

Yes.

One of the business tasks I would like to do more of is list the hundreds - thousands? - of fabrics I have stored that haven't seen the Retro Age Vintage Fabrics light of day. I think I am averaging around 30 new fabric additions to the website a week - but some weeks it's only ten. Days get away from me - paperwork, tax, photos, booking in - and then normal life takes over - like kiddies, appointment, Christmas shopping and the like.

Do you have any hints on how to use time more efffectively? Do you get up earlier to get more done? Not do housework? etc. I would love any hints!

These photos are of some fabrics coming to the website soon! The lovely mint Tootal (the last one) is a particular favourite of mine at the moment. Tootal really was a top quality cotton...

This advert completely tickles my fancy...

2009-11-14T20:14:00.002+11:00

I totally dig this hat. Yes, I know - it's not really a hat - it's one of those fascinator thingies or box hats or...well, lets just say I am no hat chick, so I have no idea really. But I likee it. I totally love her suit. If that's fur I totally don't dig it. If it's a fakey then I likee. I love her hair. I love her bling. I love the 1940s...

Divine vintage advertisements - 1946

2009-11-13T18:49:00.002+11:00

I am still trying to fix the photos on the blog - I hope these are centralised...

Have a great weekend, all!

Sweet little girlies with super sweet dresses - 1946

2009-11-12T21:21:00.003+11:00

These super cute little pieces are from the first edition of American Fabrics magazine - aren't they the cutest shots and dresses? I love the whole art direction of them - the pale pink ovals and the patterned backs. Something I would think Frankie readers would love :)

If you can't see them properly (I am still trying to fix my central column - any ideas how to centralise my photos????) you are more than welcome to right click and save them.

And the winner is....CITRUS DAISY!

2009-11-12T19:14:00.002+11:00

I used random.org to select the winner of our $20 website credit giveaway - and I am very pleased to announce the winner is Citrus Daisy! Have you seen the lovely Citrus' blog? Lovely fabrics and creations...

Congrats, Citrus - we'll be in touch soon regarding your win!

The truth about Lurex...miracle in metallics

2009-11-11T20:18:00.003+11:00

I am totally addicted to reading my American Fabrics magazines. I love the resource - I love the history of them. The set I bought was from the Moore Institute of Art, Science and Industry (Philadelphia) library. It is noted inside the covers that the Institute was a 'School of Design for Women'. Love it.

Anyway, the first edition, published in 1946, covers a plethora of fabric related issues. However, one particular advertisement struck me. It's an advert for Lurex : Miracle in Metallics. Finally - I can write about lurex! - there is so much confusion around lurex - is it a fabric or a thread?

The copy below is from the advertisement:

Lurex : Miracle in Metallics

Dobeckmun coats aluminium foil with plastic and produces a metallic yarn with all of the richness and allure of the Orient....plus adaptability to modern manufacturing.

Would you like a gold thread running through your fabric? Copper? Silver? Do you need a flat yarn? A round yarn? Or a metallic in a combination with other novelty yarns.

A gossamer sheer yarn? Or a yarn which produces a fabric with enough body to serve for upholstery. Must it be tarnishproof and lightproof, too? As well as colorfast? Must the fabric be tubbable? And must it stand the heat and pressure of flat ironing? Can it be dyed? What about drycleaning? And mothproofing?

The answer to all these questions...and dozens more which come to mind when the subject of metallic yarns is brought up...even including metallic yarns in the full rainbow of hues which are on the horizon...is definitely yes with Lurex, the new yarn introduced by the Dobeckmun Company.

From the technical weaving aspect, Dobeckmun sidesteps many other problems which keep weavers from broadening their use of metallics. For Lurex requires no special machinery; the major requirements is that the natural elongation characteristics of the yarn be preserved in each step.

Look, therefore, to an age of elegance in American fabrics...for the development of Lurex opens wide the door to the introduction of metallic yarns into many fields hitherto untried.

A reminder to us all from Maria

2009-11-10T19:36:00.003+11:00

A couple of weeks ago my Uncle asked if I had some scarves. One of his friends had recently been diagnosed with cancer and she wanted some vintage scarves to make her feel better when her hair fell out. I ask you - what better use for gorgeous scarves than to brigten the day of someone in need of sunshine and hope?

And then I received an email two days ago...

Hello Vanessa,

I just wanted to thank you again for your generosity, Robert has passed on the bag of stunning scarfs which I simply can't thank you enough for. I know this may sound a little odd but I am a little relieved at the prospect that I will now be looking a least a little chic with my vintage covered noggin!

Again I really appreciate your kind gesture.

thanks again.

Regards Maria xx

This email gave birth to tears. To be honest - it was a pertinent reminder of the power of a gift, number one. And then it reminded me that simple gestures really can make a difference. And perhaps I have been thinking about donating my scarf collection to the local Grace McKellar Centre to bring a smile to some of us who most desperately need cheering up - and to remind them of just how beautiful they are, no matter what...

Summer loving

2009-11-09T20:18:00.002+11:00

Summer has arrived. Bright blue skies. Jasmine in the air. Hot wind and beautiful sunsets. Sitting outside and enjoying the shade. Cooking over a barbie. Lots of crispy salads. Quiet mornings anticipating the day. Lots of sand and surf and fun times at the beach.

We are having a heat-wave here, of sorts - it's the hottest beginning to November for a century. Six days straight of 30+ temperatures. We had a fire not far from here today but they got it under control fairly quickly. Makes me very nervous about the coming season, though.

Updating the blog design thing...

2009-11-08T19:53:00.005+11:00

Today I spent the better part of two hours updating the blog into a three-column design. But as you see now I am back to the original design. Be warned, lovely peeps, I am going to have another crack at it over the next day or so...so, if you're reading this and the rest of the blog looks like vom-vom you know why!

As a way of apologising for the unsightly on-the-go design I am giving you some 1950s and 1960s vintage fabric eye candy. Enjoy!

My place and Yours....'Your Secret Weapon'

2009-11-07T21:23:00.003+11:00

My shrine

This week lovely Pip is hosting another My Place and Yours theme. I missed last weeks - drats! - but took some time out this evening to release my secret weapon...ha ha. Thank you mybricole!

Tara, offering bowls, incense

I don't know whether I would describe my love and faith of Tibetan Buddhism as a secret weapon (being a pacifist and all - yep, don't even kill ants...or at least I try not to!) but I do call it one of my primary strengths. I came across spirituality when I was 17 when I hit some hard parts in life - I danced around a few interesting pathways before coming across Tibetan Buddhism. As soon as I started reading about it I felt like I was home.

Gau

Tibetan Buddhism is the very foundation I am built on now - and I am 36 years old. I don't practice daily, haven't taken refuge, but I do try and live my life in the Buddhist way. I have my shrine near the entrance of my house - not only so I can see it constantly, but so our family, friends and guests are welcomed by it, as well. I have collected bits and pieces over the years and love my shrine - although, I have to admit I don't clean it as much as I should! But I do offerings of coins, water and food (not enough, though) in the hope that those who need sustenance around the world get sustenance and those who are in dire need of financial help get it. The food is for people or Bodhisattvas who may be hungry...

I was very lucky to be a member of Drol Kar Buddhist Centre in Geelong when His Holiness The Dalai Lama visited in May 2002. I was within 20m of this wonderful man - it truly brought tears to my eyes to see him. This photo was taken of him blessing Geshe Sonam's shrine on the day - the giant Buddha you see behind him was blessed. My entire lifelong collection of crystals (precious and semi precious) was put in the Buddha as an offering. I love the photo :)

I have to consistently remind myself to be the best I am - if I lose my way, I always return to the sanctuary of Buddhism. I pray to Tara, the female Buddha, as, in her, I am most at rest. Green Tara, specifically. When I am stressed it is her I turn to for silence and rest. The round Gau in the pic above is a portable shrine and prayer box, should I want to take the Buddha with me when I leave home...

I wouldn't be the person I am today without Tibetan Buddhism. I hope you have liked seeing a part of me rarely known outside my family and friends. To Tibetan Buddhists my shrine may not be as it should (especially with all of the Buddhas everywhere!) but it has grown with me over the past 17 years and has become a part of my family.

The reason why I say this is my secret weapon? Well - Buddhism taught me the power of compassion, the truth about wanting and needing and about acceptance (and a billion other things). I live my life with these in mind everyday and I have to say, I truly love my life. I am grateful for so much - without this secret weapon I don't know whether my own life would have been this good...

I am in love - American Fabrics

2009-11-06T19:46:00.003+11:00

Three massive boxes of these amazing magazines arrived today. These are bound copies of the amazing American Fabrics magazine I have been writing about. I bought the complete 1946-1965 collection to add to the 30 or so I already own. These bound copies are just so gorgeous to have - they speak of history and gorgeous vintage fabrics just by looking at them! I am going to feature loads of articles and pics from these mags over the coming weeks - I hope you enjoy them!

What we've been doing around these parts...

2009-11-06T15:48:00.002+11:00

I have to get my bottom moving, I've been told. Too much lethargy for the ol' heart so off walking more I go - to the park, shopping - anywhere, really - with the entire family so we can all have fun. I don't look as cool as that chick and her dog above, though. I would love to walk my dog (if I had one - fish are fine for now) in those Mary Janes and that cool coat. Love it.

We've also been working hard on our renovation - geez, but renovations take the longest time! And we're not going anything structural! We've decided on white, white and more white. Doing atomic light fixtures and giving the front garden sculpture - won't that confuse the neighbours! Am considering plants for the interior, too...yes, believe it or not.

We've decided on an amazing colourway for the main loungeroom. A deep 'cack' olive green for the ceiling and a deep orange/red for one wall. Very retro - and goes with all of our current furniture etc. We've got an orange/red and brown colourway going but I'm finding I love green now...very strange.

Business wise there is lots in the pipeline - from now until the end of January. Lots of exciting stuff, hopefully...stay tuned...

And, finally - lots and lots of American Fabrics magazines are waiting for us to pick them up from our PO box. I can't wait! I've got almost every edition now, I think - well, up to the mid-60s anyhow. From 1946 onwards - I can't wait to show you them and feature some of the interesting articles and photos and fabric swatches! These shots and swatches are from edition 77, 1967. I absolutely love seeing and touching the fabric and seeing it replicated in the photo - I hope you do, too!

1960s: Divine Christian Dior photos, textiles & clothes

2009-11-05T19:49:00.002+11:00

Left - reversible, welt-stitched coat, camel's hair and violet wool. Right - Lightly fitted plum coloured wool velour coat.

Warm weight with smooth finish in a tailored-to-perfection beige Dior coat.

Dior suit in soft twill weave of wool, in alternate black and beige stripes and worn with black mousseline blouse.

Classic looking black/white tweed suit by Dior keynotes white-with-black-satin blouse.

Yellow/beige tweed in a long-jacketed suit.

Olive green/maroon tweed mixture in a wool suit.

Two wool coats by Dior take stripes away from the run-of-the-mill. Coat at right has dark mink collar and cuffs.

From Christian Dior, a double-breasted evening coat suggesting the 'great coat' of an earlier era. Dior's model was created of blue wool velour.

Evening cape from Dior in an apricot shade of smooth-woven fabric.

Sleek coat from Dior, for all-day-into-evening wear, is black wool velour.

All words and pictures from American Fabrics magazine, Fall-Winter, 1967.

$20 vintage fabric store credit - your chance to win!

2009-11-04T19:56:00.004+11:00

Love vintage fabric? Love shopping with Retro Age? And love a good giveaway? Then this is the blog post for you!

We'd like to offer a AUD$20 store credit giveaway to all of our wonderful readers and customers. The $20 store credit will be valid until the end of 2009, so it'll cover some of those wonderful Christmas crafty ideas you're dreaming up. To get $20 to spend on any fabric available for sale on our website all you have to do is leave a comment to this post ending the sentence "My favourite thing is...."

This giveaway will finish next Wednesday 11 November at 8pm and it's open to everyone no matter where you are around the world! Good luck!

NOW CLOSED - WINNER ANNOUNCED THURDAY 12 NOVEMBER - GOOD LUCK!

Fabbits vintage fabric - and Dollybags

2009-11-03T22:28:00.003+11:00

I think the popularity of Scandinavian fabric is on the wane a little, (decadent and nouveau here we come!) although I personally still adore it. A friend emailed me a shop called Dollybags a couple of weeks ago and now the two ladies behind the wonderful Dollybags has set up their vintage fabric shop on Etsy - called Fabbits. Yes, Fabbits. I have no idea why it's called Fabbits - but it's so kitsch, don't you think?

They only have some 20 fabrics up at the moment, but the designs are gorgeous and the prices really hit the mark. I wish I lived in the Netherlands - I would LOVE to be surrounded by this type of fabric day in, day out.

They sell by the rough yard/metre length, most of the fabrics are only US$15pm and they are sublime designs - what more could you want???

IDesign - Seven Ways of Design Thinking

2009-11-02T20:39:00.003+11:00

I was told about this program today and have been reading about it this arvo. It's called IDesign - Seven Ways of Design Thinking and it's by Dr Charles Burnette. It's quite interesting on so many levels - from a business perspective to teaching kiddies how to find and use concepts. It works like this...

Intend - prioritise, declare and pursue
Define - itemise, describe and refer
Explore - relate, organise and analyse
Suggest - formulate, present and explain
Innovate - produce, process and improve
Goalgetting - monitor, measure and evaluate
Know - remember, reflect and apply

I am really impressed - it's such a linear program it almost seems too simple. But I think simplicity is best with strategy and planning, don't you?

I am totally addicted to the Down-to-Earth site once again - you have to see her biscuits - we're going to make them as a family in the next day or so as they seem totally kiddie proof! And don't forget to join the forum, too - it's a wonderful source of green information and how to live life simply!