Clothing
+ Fashion		Jewelry +
Watches		Home +
Furniture		 Pottery 
+ Glass		Art +
 Photos 		Paper +
  Books  		Music +
Movies		Toys +
Games		Sports +
Outdoors		Ads +
  Signs  		Eras +
Themes

Antique and vintage fabric runs the gamut from Middle Eastern silk to 1950s atomic prints to 1970s classics by (for example) Finland's Marimekko. Vintage fabric is popular among fashion and sewing enthusiasts, as there’s nothing quite like making a traditional-styled garment out of traditional fabric!

Vintage fabric can be used for multiple purposes, from crafts (such as fashion, home décor...

Some 19th century (and earlier) fabrics that are popular to collect and still available to find include calico, gingham, muslin, and linen, as well as home-spun materials. From the first half of the 20th century, collectors seek cotton, plisse, and cloques, among others. Metallic, novelty, floral, and themed prints are also popular, and during the mid-1900s, bark cloth and rayon blends were common.

Collecting vintage fabric can be a fun and affordable hobby, but beware: it can be dangerous when combined with vintage patterns!

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all fabric Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

I work for a sewing machine distribution company that was started by my late father. We mainly distribute industrial sewing machin… [more]

An Interview With Antique Sewing Thimble Collector Sue Gowan

My husband, Mike, used to buy me pieces of china. One day he bought me a Jasperware blue Wedgwood thimble and I put it aside with … [more]

Angry Chicken's Amy Karol on Sewing, Vintage Slips, and Her Apron Obsession

I think I started collecting vintage aprons seriously probably in 1991, my first year of college. I was an absolute junkie for vin… [more]

Guest Column: Collecting Vintage Sewing Patterns

Paper sewing patterns were first manufactured in the middle of the 1800s. These first paper patterns were designed by Ellen Curtis… [more]

The Sewing Machine of His Dreams

Every now and then, a collector gets lucky and finds that once-in-a-lifetime item. We all scour the planet for the things we love—… [more]

▼ Expand this section

Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Sewing Machine Collector

Sewing Machine Collector

Geoff and Norma Dickens' reference site on vintage toy sewing machines from the late 1800s. Browse the images alpha… [read review or visit site]

LACMA Luxury Textiles

LACMA Luxury Textiles

Textile collectors shouldn't miss this microsite from the LA County Museum of Art, a great reference on European an… [read review or visit site]

Vintage Patterns

Vintage Patterns

Looking for some vintage patterns or style ideas? This Flickr photo pool, a group effort, showcases a huge collecti… [read review or visit site]

The Quilt Index

The Quilt Index

This collaborative project provides a visual index of almost 2,000 antique quilts across multiple museums and colle… [read review or visit site]

International Quilt Study Center

International Quilt Study Center

This University of Nebraska affiliated site showcases a spectacular collection of over 1800 colorful quilts from th… [read review or visit site]

Thimbleselect of Australia

Thimbleselect of Australia

Sue Gowan's impressive thimbles reference database. Using the left-side navigation, choose 'Learn More About' and s… [read review or visit site]

VintageSewing.info

VintageSewing.info

Those interested in learning how to recreate vintage fashions from the late 1800s through the 1950s need look no fu… [read review or visit site]

Sensibility Vintage Images

Sensibility Vintage Images

An extensive collection of photos and ephemera illustrating changing fashion styles from 1795 to 1959. Includes por… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Sewing

Discussion Forums: Sewing

Other Great Reference Sites: Sewing

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 177 by  highest bid • most watched • completed
Impero Fortuny Yellow And Platinum 1920's Panel10+y Schumacher Breathtaking Mint Tufted Silk Upholstery FabricPendleton Full Size Blanket / Sunrise Song / Brand New 64"x80"Beautiful Pendleton Blanket--used But In Good Condition!!!Authentic Fortuny Fabric 2/3rd+ Yard In The €10+y Schumacher Rose Red Floral Damask Drapery Upholstery Fabric Vintage French Fabric Pillow Monograme Hand EmbroideredMackenzie Childs Glass Beaded Fringe ~ One Full Yard ~ Stunning ~hard To Find!!Old Very Rare Uzbek-kungrat Silk Hand-embroidered Women's Robe From Boysun11+y Robert Allen Exquisite White N Metallic Gold Scroll Upholstery FabricLot Of Vintage Christmas Cotton Quilting Fabrics 30 YdsBn Pierre Deux Delices Des Quatre Saisons Black Drape (cotton)New Pottery Barn Ticking Stripe Slipcover Fabric By The Yard ~ Red 7 YardsThe Best! Shabby Pink Roses Chic Glen Court Barkcloth Fabric Drape Panel VintagePendleton Vintage Blanket Chief Joseph Pattern3y Brunschwig Tiger Zebra Stripe Safari $145/y Satin Jacquard Brocade FabricDesigner Brunschwig Fils Fabric 10 &2/3 Yd Drape Sheer Embroidery Linen Curtain Scalamandre Le Tigre Silk Velvet - 1 Yard-new - SuperbScalamandre Leopardo Silk Velvet - 1 Yard Full Width1972 Marimekko "pepe" Tablecloth Panel 88 X 44Vintage Wool Blanket Camp Trade 82" X 86" Thick Heavy ReversibleNew! 4yds Rachel Ashwell ~shabby Chic~ Primrose FabricVintage Uzbek Natural Cotton Kurpa Quilt Blanket8y Swavelle Mill Creek Avezzano Leaf Chenille Upholstery Fabric French Country Scalamandre Fabric Pattern Falk Manor A Silk Velvet Handsome Pendelton Woolen Mills Blck & Red Wool Throw: Beaver St. Robes & ShawlsVtg Mid Century Modern Mod Retro 5th Avenue Design Blue Geometric Fabric 12.5' Rare Vintage Grandma Moses Barkcloth Fabric "williamstown" Countryside 42"x85"1-3/4y Exquisite Bird In Tree Brocade Tapestry Drapery Upholstery FabricVintage Barkcloth Fabric Garden Scene Flowers Designer Schumacher Fabric 6.5 Yds Semi Sheer Drape / Curtain Mod DesignVintage Children's Cotton Fabric (1930's-1940's? )Gorgeous Soft Blue Tufted Texture Chenille Bedspread 80x110 CottonLight Aqua White Lucknowi Pure Cotton Salwar Kameez Embroidery Unique Free#0098u3 Pieces Of Vintage Barkcloth Fabrics 1 3/4 Yard - 2 3/4 Yard - 3 YardExceptional Uzbek Silk Robe Chapan Big Roses PatternVintage Nubby Barkcloth Fabric Curtain Panel Rose Bouquets 84 X 42 Pink Cream +10 Yd X 46" Vintage Sewing/quilting Cotton Fabric / Waverly Glosheen Elegant RedAntique Black Victorian Edwardian Wool Lady's Short Cape Passememterie JacketAntiq 1910 Stunning French Embroidered Silk Panel, Pale Blue Silk,ivory FloralsIncredible Over 20 Yards Of Black Silk Voile!1+y Schumacher Incredible Butterfly Lattice Silk Brocade Upholstery Fabric3 Colefax And Fowler Embroidered Pomegranate Silk Upholstery Fabric1y Ralph Lauren Decadent Pheasant N Paisley Wool Upholstery FabricMost Amazing Vintage Fashion Show Women Dress Design Silk Sari SareeMarimekko Fabric - Suitsuke - Blue/violet - 72" X 56" - 2 YardsVintage Hemp Fabric Ethnic Handmade Embroidery Decor Beautiful Antique 19th C. French Floral Cotton Print Fabric (7128)Incredible 12 Yards Of Darkest Plum/almost Black Wrinkled Silk Voile!Antique French Cotton 19th-century Floral Decor Vintage Dupatta Indian Hand Pure Silk Sari Threadwork Beads Veil Stole Purple2 Yds Lee Jofa Eric Cohler Graphic Velvet In Grey - Sold At No Reserve!Exceptional Uzbek Silk Robe Chapan Ottoman Pattern With Large Peppers1+y Breathtaking Colefax And Fowler Linen Blanket Stripe Upholstery FabricGenuine Real Leather Cow Hide Aged Antique Golden Cigar Upholstery Fabric Huge!1-1/4y Stunning Metallic Gold N Silver Mosaic Silk Drapery Upholstery FabricStunning Nwt Sheer Double Layer 100% Nylon Vintage Sissy Panties Lace Ruffles 1308 Discount Upholstery Fabric High End Linen Print Blue And YellowPendleton Wool Blanket Made In Usa Excellent Condition Plaid L@@kHuge Lot Vintage Cotton Print Fabric 40 Lbs! Quilting Sewing Crafting Many Yards
»» Get our weekly Fabric email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: Fabric

Source: Google News

At the Farmers Market: Victoria's Jewelry Creations
Patch.com, February 6th

“I'm starting to design hand bags using vintage fabric of course,” Duque said of her latest creative foray. “The quality of vintage fabric is excellent, with that leathery feel and old look,” she said. While Duque's newest undertaking is still in its...Read more

Fashion week gives new Knoxville designers a chance
Knoxville News Sentinel, February 5th

East Tennessee designers range from headliner Donovan Swick, who transforms vintage fabric into wearable clothes and has shown all over the world, to young, emerging designers, who have never put together full collections...Read more

I made Jessie J's new video look from a 70s jumble sale maxi dress - Liverpool ...
Liverpool Echo, January 31st

“All my turbans are made from vintage fabric so every one is individual,” says Siobhan. “But with the one Jessie's got on, there were actually two quite similar because the dress was long so I had plenty of material. I bought it in a jumble sale and...Read more

How to make your own knickers
The Guardian (blog), January 31st

Buy one of the stunning patterns at Liberty, order a luxurious silk fabric from The Silk Society, use a vintage fabric or even just recycle a favourite old T-shirt, like this brilliant blogger did. Stretch fabrics are best for pants,...Read more

How to... buy vintage homeware
The Ecologist, January 27th

Eco Lighting and Design offers drum lamp shades covered in vintage fabric from the 1930s up to the 70s. Made in the UK, these shades are elegant and unique with prices starting at a very affordable £25. And if you want something out of the ordinary,...Read more

Review: Boundaries shatter with new art exhibit 'TAKE CARE'
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, January 15th

Fick has wrapped each one with scraps of hand-stitched vintage fabric, making them quaint and colorful. What belies such beauty is the message: She is exploring the social stigma of chemical and hormonal pharmaceutical therapy...Read more

More women carving out 'woman caves' in homes
In-Forum, January 14th

Maus drew on her favorite vintage fabric – a pattern of lipstick-red roses and polka dots against a baby-blue backdrop – as inspiration for the color scheme. The walls are painted a rich, fresh celery that complements the foliage on the fabric...Read more

The lady who adds a personal touch
New Zealand Herald, January 12th

The problem with vintage fabric is that it's a finite resource and you can never have enough of it - much to the disdain of my accountant. But then, when has collecting anything ever been an entirely rational pastime? I bought it in Liberties of London...Read more

Sewing

Rugs and Textiles

suggest a category

See also

Share