Retro Age Vintage Fabrics

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!

Online food shopping - do you?

2009-11-01T19:59:00.002+11:00

We have hit a small 'how should we shop' wall. We're in the midst of setting up our large vegie patch and herb garden and already shop in bulk at lots of warehouses in Geelong. We buy our meat in bulk, rice, pasta - anything bulk we can buy, we buy. And we buy local produce every time we can.

But then I come to the weekly or fortnightly grocery shopping and I don't know what to do! I am a list driven gal but not a great planner so I find myself - or hubby - visiting our supermarket up to six times a week. There's lots of items bought we don't really need and I find myself planning dinner in the late arvo or shopping by memory. Shameful, I know...

Then I came across Woolworths new online shopping and thought this may be good for our pockets as well as the environment. The food is more expensive but I can buy everything in one foul swoop, they deliver the next day and I can plan ahead on the computer (I am good that way!)...

Not sure whether it's better for the back pocket - but I think it would be, even with the more expensive prices. Lots of stuff bought with our kids none of us need and I also impulse purchase - shameful again! And then their truck is on the road delivering anyway so perhaps an extra stop isn't bad for the environment considering all the times we visit the supermarket in the car?

We live semi-rural so haven't got the luxury of farmers markets - but we do pick up local produce when we can. I wish we had an amazing local market like the Queen Vic in Melbourne but we have nothing like it on the Surf Coast. We also can't bike everywhere.

I am totally in two minds - what do you all do?

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T22:16:00.002+11:00

'Twas a day of trick-or-treating in Geelong for the above ghoul and bat...they had a ball, we almost died laughing and now everyone is tired coming down from the suger overload. Happy Halloween everyone!

Another blog addiction - mel bombardiere

2009-10-30T20:24:00.003+11:00

I can't remember when I came across the world of mel bomba. I am totally addicted to her blog, mel bombardiere. For a number of reasons. She has divine design style so her blog always had divine photos. She has a divine renovation on the go and we've been following her every step of the way - I can't wait to see what styles she chooses and what hues here and there. And now she's got a divine bump growing so that's even more anticipation...!!

On top of that she designs divine fabrics! I absolutely love her design style - I see flickering of nouveau and deco in her designs and an intricacy I don't often come across in modern boutique textile design. I adore them - they have such heart.

If you're after a fabulous blog to follow then I would highly recommend mel bombadiere - it's like a bloody good thriller novel without all of the horror and CIA stuff :) I took all of these images from her blog but you can see some other fabulous shots on her Flickr...trust me, you'll never want to leave....

Heart breaking...and so beautiful...

2009-10-29T21:43:00.002+11:00

I just read this article. Heart breaking yet it also made my heart soar. We truly do live in the most wonderful world...

Surely we can treat our earth and our animals - and ourselves - with more respect?

...and then there was vintage fabric goodness

2009-10-29T20:19:00.002+11:00

I have been trawling through our old photos looking for a specific shot for a customer...and I came across these magnificent fabrics. We still have some in stock here - but, boy, do they deserve smarter photos! Gorgeous fabric, though, aren't they?

Think Links - Edward de Bono

2009-10-28T20:55:00.003+11:00

When I studied advertising one of the people we were incessantly told about was Edward de Bono. He is the champion of lateral thinking, of breaking grounds to allow your brain to think wonderful things. I was a great journal writer and I remember filling one of my books with only lateral, autonomous thinking. That means you write without thinking. Yes - that's right. You write without thinking - without giving your words form, function and structure - you write what you see and feel without trying to make sense. Not only is it great fun but it's also supposed to be great for the subconscious - it relieves possible issues blocking up your thinking and feeling space.

I hadn't thought of autonomous thinking until I came across this box set at a fete last week. I snatched it up straight away as I was keen to delve into any world de Bono wanted us to stretch our minds in. It's got a full book listing loads of games to play as adults and with kiddies - but I have, out of pure habit, reverted to my lateral and autonomous thinking to break thought patterns I have built up over time...

The box set has picture and word cards. I have shuffled them and have been selecting three cards to work with. The above image is of today's set.

Brown cldness in a stale room with slippers underneath a chenille without chenille.

To elect anyone is ruthless selfishness and to sleep without fear is unheard of.

Quiet, still, flickers the twitching television as the paper creases in the flickering fire and the flat smells of mildew.

Should elections take us down that particular road then may we hide ourselves in fantasy-land and cuddle our lovers we may not have forever.

That's a little example.

Why don't you have a go and let your brain think what it wants to think? All you need to do is look at the images and write. But don't censor your writing. Just write. The more you do it the more creative you will be - and you'll see themes come out. Yes, you will. You'll see your brain wants you to think about certain things - and, you know what? It's quite cathartic to listen to your brain and think on them :)

An inspirational read....

2009-10-27T20:46:00.002+11:00

Have you met the inspirational Kirsty - Kootoyoo - , yet? I have had lots of chats with Kirsty over time and have always found her to be the friendliest thing (thing is a term of endearment word) in the world. I adore her blog and her inspirational ways and days. Her Red Quilt Project will bring joy to your heart and gives me faith the old arts and alive, well and kicking along in caring, loving hands, like Kirsty's and her contributors.

DIY shampoo and conditioner

2009-10-26T19:20:00.003+11:00

Living life accepting things as they are just isn't my thing. I always look to how I could improve processes and procedures, purchases and the general running of the family home. Killing my family and I - and the earth - living the wrong way doesn't flick my switch. Small changes over time have really changed our lifestyle - and lives.

This weekend I decided to make our own homemade shampoo and conditioner. The idea was care of One Green Generation. I have to admit I wasn't sure this was going to work - how could it be that easy and that good, my sceptical side said. But my optimistic side shoved that thought out of the way so I gathered some ingredients I already had, found two bottles and set some five minutes aside to whip up home made shampoo and conditioner.

The shampoo is a baking soda and water mix. I decided on one part baking soda to four parts water and put in some drops of pure eucaluptus oil. The mixture froths at the start but then settles into a nice liquid you have to shake every time you use it. For the conditioner I chose a cinnamon stick, a vanilla pod, one part vinegar and four parts water. Shake it all about and that's it. I let the mixtures sit for a day to get some nice aromas going and then....

...washed my hair. You put the shampoo onto your dry hair, just on the roots, and then massage it in. Leave for 1-3 mins and then rinse out. It felt strange as the baking soda was a little gritty, but it felt quite invigorating at the same time. Then you pop the conditioner onto the roots, massage in, leave for some seconds and then rinse out. By this stage my hair felt wonderful - oh so soft. Today, day two, it still feels soft and people have remarked it's shinier. And even though I used vinegar my hair didn't smell of vinegar at all. Next time I want a citrus conditioner - I can't wait to put some orange or lemon peel in...

I'll see what I get like tomorrow. I have very oily hair so it'll be a miracle if I get through day 2/3, but time will tell. I'll keep youp up to date :)

Many thanks to 1 Green Generation and her inspirational blog!

My place and yours....'bedside'

2009-10-25T19:47:00.002+11:00

I love the new meme from Pip so I have decided to join in once again. Last week you saw the robot collection. This week the lively Pottymouthmamma (I was addicted to her nightly commentating on MasterChef on Twitter - who wasn't??) chose bedside as the theme.

I took two shots to represent bedside in our household. To get the top photo meant I had to go on a stealth mission up the loft bed ladder. This, in itself, is a mission, I can tell you. Then I had to fight the six-year-olds toys, doonas and pillows, stick my arm out and aim for his window shot. His loft bed is the same height as his long skinny window so this gives him the perfect bedside table. The whole window ledge is covered with nicks and nacks and lots of Santas and Christmas stuff. He loves Christmas - he's the Christmas kid. The shot was taken looking through his loft bed railings - and is a miracle!

The shot below is my nook and cranny. Very simple as I hate clutter around the bed. It's an original art deco bedside cupboard - love it. It has my Sony clock I received when I was 13 - yes, still going 20+ years later - love it. I light up my night life with my retro bright red steel lamp - love it. And then we have the night water and the collection of books and the handmade bookmakrs care of the six-year-old. Love it. The brown bricks are just about to be painted a high gloss white. Can't wait.

I love night time.

Turn over a new leaf...

2009-10-23T21:19:00.000+11:00

Coming to the website soon...

Have a lovely weekend!

1969: Vintage article for Lurex

2009-10-22T21:38:00.002+11:00

Interesting little advertiement for Lurex - the brand, the metallic yarn. Quite interesting, actually. I had no idea Lurex was a brand and a manufactured product - I thought it was a weave with a certain fibre that was metallic. Interesting to note that this brand became so strong it actually became the fabric - like Kleenex with tissues and Band Aid with adhesive strips.

Vintage advertisement from American Fabrics magazine, Spring 1969.

Here they are! Vintage fabric scrap packs!

2009-10-21T21:05:00.001+11:00

Way back is late 2006/early 2007 we created our popular Inspiration Scrap Packs - lovingly sold in Melbourne by the lovely Pip from Meet Me at Mikes and sold on this website until early 2009.

They are back by popular demand!

Our Inspiration Scrap Packs are cut from bolt ends, estate linens or small remnants we can't sell on the site. Each piece is roughly 15cm x 15cm - some a little smaller, some a little larger.

Fabrics will be anywhere from 1930s to 1980s, cottons through the velvets, fine to heavy weight. We have a tonne of small pieces so we can also try and accommodate the colourway/s you're after - but please keep in mind these are mixed packs so we can't promise anything 100%.

Most of the pieces shall be unused, but there may be a piece here and there that has been washed or barely used. We have a very high quality yardstick, so you won't receive anything you can't use.

Our Inspiration Scrap Packs come in 10, 20, 30 and 40 pieces - and they're listed here!

No Impact Project - what a wonderful idea!

2009-10-21T20:20:00.003+11:00

I am a fan of the No Impact Man. I am just about to buy his book to inspire me to clean up my living act - even more. We're doing a lot of keep our environment as pure as possible, but we know we can do so much more. Like make our own soap. Our own shampoo. Fully evaluate our rubbish and think of ways we can reuse it ourselves. The list goes on. And then this arrived in my email. No Impact Project. Would you like to improve your life and the world environment? Then read here. We're thinking of doing it as of Monday...

Art deco or atomic vintage fabric?

2009-10-20T19:58:00.002+11:00

The power of pattern never ceases to amaze. Both fabrics are so of their time, don't you think? I don't know which I prefer. These are new arrivals going up on the website this week...