In 1994 I was teaching at Quilt America! in Indianapolis and some of the "big shots" there were talking about vintage fabrics. I mentioned some 1950's fabrics that I had and they laughed at me and said those aren't vintage. Fast forward 14 years and now I hear people calling them vintage. What is their status? This is one of the pieces I have. It is 36" wide and I have 4 yards of it. I have a spool near it so you can see the size of the roses.I saw this little bunny in the back yard and wanted to ask him how I can become as quick as a bunny again. My computer class went really well yesterday. I teach it at a sewing machine store. Most of the embroidery machines require the use of a computer to put new designs in the machine to stitch out. Some of the ladies who purchased these machines had never seen a computer before. Others had used them at work but didn't experiment beyond what they did on the job. I try to help them learn about all of the functions of the computer while teaching them to download designs, unzip them in some cases, and then how to get the designs to the machine. We also go over anti-virus, spy protection and other things. It makes me feel good to share my knowledge and help them to have more fun.
As I child I had a small tied quilt that had belonged to my older siblings before it came to me. I guess because I cuddled and napped with it so much, I can see it clearly even now -- it had a yellow background with roses much like the ones you are showing, though a little smaller. I'm guessing it was made in the early 40s, maybe earlier than that.
I think vintage refers to items that are 25-50 years old. But, in my book....vintage is any fabric that I own and think, "I would never buy that now!" LOL I like your vintage fabric!
beautiful fabric...just love those roses... reminds me of my childhood home with the rose bushes.. can't wait to see what you make with the fabric...fussy cut them please :) oh and yes I would consider them vintage now ! Kathie
As we are antique dealers I might be of some help. Technically an object had to be at least 100 years old to be an antique although it is used very loosely these days. The term 'vintage' gets thrown around a lot for something that is old but not that old. Dictionary.com defines it as something old or obsolete. In the business it is used for something representative of its time as would anything from the fifties be these days. They are not technically antiques but they are vintage. You can only go as far back as the sixties with vintage - anything newer than that is just that - newer. Hope this helps. Of course in another ten or fifteen years the seventies will be vintage. These terms are all used in varying ways by antique dealers - there is no standardization.
Love your vintage fabric! I only have small scraps of 50's and 60's fabrics. I once saw a 1970's quilt on Ebay listed as an antique!
Wow, to buy an embroidery machine that requires a computer when they have no idea of how to work a computer? That's jumping in with both feet! It must be fun to help them learn. And I'm sure they're eager students too!
Well, I'm ONE of those that bought an embroidery mach.-- with very little computer time. Being a senior, I have learned so much because of the machine. It has helped me do many other computer jobs, even though I get totally frustrated at times. Wanda, ever think of on-line classes? I suppose depends on the machine. I recently moved to the south from WI---miss my classes in Wookstock IL. Trying to find one in my new area.
I love that vintage fabric!! It would be so neat as a backing -- and so much fun to look at! If the bunny ever does give up the secret, hope you share! :-)
I dont have a fancy machine, but I could always use more information about computers! Wish I could attend. Love the rabbit, even if they are so destructive here.
Paulette, you are a no reply blogger. If you email me (click on view my complete profile) and let me know what kind of machine you have and/or any questions I might be able to help you with, I will get back to you. Wanda
Interesting to read the reply from the antique dealer. I suppose, vintage, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder! I tend to think your definition of something which you wouldn't put with your new fabrics as it looked old-fashioned, is vintage.
I saw this little bunny in the back yard and wanted to ask him how I can become as quick as a bunny again. 
My computer class went really well yesterday. I teach it at a sewing machine store. Most of the embroidery machines require the use of a computer to put new designs in the machine to stitch out. Some of the ladies who purchased these machines had never seen a computer before. Others had used them at work but didn't experiment beyond what they did on the job. I try to help them learn about all of the functions of the computer while teaching them to download designs, unzip them in some cases, and then how to get the designs to the machine. We also go over anti-virus, spy protection and other things. It makes me feel good to share my knowledge and help them to have more fun.
As I child I had a small tied quilt that had belonged to my older siblings before it came to me. I guess because I cuddled and napped with it so much, I can see it clearly even now -- it had a yellow background with roses much like the ones you are showing, though a little smaller. I'm guessing it was made in the early 40s, maybe earlier than that.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm vintage.....*L*
ReplyDeleteIf some women who bought the machines had never even seen a computer, were they just gonna use the designs that came with it forever?
when speaking about the age of fabric... In my opinion, anything from the 70's and before is "vintage."
ReplyDeleteYou got an old 70's fabric?
By that definition many of us are "vintage"! That sounds so much better than old...more like a fine aged wine...Right?
ReplyDeleteI think vintage refers to items that are 25-50 years old. But, in my book....vintage is any fabric that I own and think, "I would never buy that now!" LOL I like your vintage fabric!
ReplyDeletebeautiful fabric...just love those roses...
ReplyDeletereminds me of my childhood home with the rose bushes..
can't wait to see what you make with the fabric...fussy cut them please :) oh and yes I would consider them vintage now !
Kathie
If the bunny ever tells you... tell the rest of us!!
ReplyDeleteHi Wanda, Your computer class sounds so
ReplyDeleteinteresting.Still say you're the best teacher in
the world! jmh
As we are antique dealers I might be of some help. Technically an object had to be at least 100 years old to be an antique although it is used very loosely these days. The term 'vintage' gets thrown around a lot for something that is old but not that old. Dictionary.com defines it as something old or obsolete. In the business it is used for something representative of its time as would anything from the fifties be these days. They are not technically antiques but they are vintage. You can only go as far back as the sixties with vintage - anything newer than that is just that - newer. Hope this helps. Of course in another ten or fifteen years the seventies will be vintage. These terms are all used in varying ways by antique dealers - there is no standardization.
ReplyDeleteLove your vintage fabric! I only have small scraps of 50's and 60's fabrics. I once saw a 1970's quilt on Ebay listed as an antique!
ReplyDeleteWow, to buy an embroidery machine that requires a computer when they have no idea of how to work a computer? That's jumping in with both feet! It must be fun to help them learn. And I'm sure they're eager students too!
I hope that bunny lets you in on the secret!
Well, I'm ONE of those that bought an embroidery mach.-- with very little computer time. Being a senior, I have learned so much because of the machine. It has helped me do many other computer jobs, even though I get totally frustrated at times. Wanda, ever think of on-line classes? I suppose depends on the machine. I recently moved to the south from WI---miss my classes in Wookstock IL. Trying to find one in my new area.
ReplyDeleteI love that vintage fabric!! It would be so neat as a backing -- and so much fun to look at!
ReplyDeleteIf the bunny ever does give up the secret, hope you share! :-)
I love that rose "vintage" fabric. Good thing you know about computers. Mine can get very frustrating when I don't understand what to do.
ReplyDeleteI dont have a fancy machine, but I could always use more information about computers! Wish I could attend.
ReplyDeleteLove the rabbit, even if they are so destructive here.
Paulette, you are a no reply blogger. If you email me (click on view my complete profile) and let me know what kind of machine you have and/or any questions I might be able to help you with, I will get back to you.
ReplyDeleteWanda
I've got some fabric very similar to yours, though the roses are pink and the background is black. It's not vintage though LOL!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read the reply from the antique dealer. I suppose, vintage, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder! I tend to think your definition of something which you wouldn't put with your new fabrics as it looked old-fashioned, is vintage.
ReplyDelete