Need Help With Fabric and Age

Hello All ~ I have this blue fabric which I believe is a cotton matelasse. Second photo shows front and back closeup. I've washed it and it now measures 32-1/4" wide (selvage to selvage sides).

I have been unable to find any that are this narrow and I can't tell if this is vintage or newer fabric. Any help is appreciated ... (P.S. 1st photo shows true color. 2nd photo was taken later in day.)

 

Your photographs show it in two different colors. What color would you describe it as?

Debora

 

Yes, my camera has a mind of its own. It is blue. 1st photo shows true color. 2nd photo was taken later in day and the color is "off".

 

Different monitors show colors differently. To my eye, the fabric in the top photo looks to be baby blue. Is that the blue? And, in your opinion, what is the weight? Is it upholstery fabric or dressmaking fabric?

Debora

 

Yes, the top is the baby blue. Weight is like a lightweight summer bed coverlet or could use for pillow covers. Not so much for dressmaking but maybe...

Does the color and weight help with dating it?

 

Yes. (But not definitively, of course.) Colors are manufactured and introduced based upon color trends so not all colors are available at any one time. Given it's upholstery fabric, given it's cotton, and given it's baby blue, I would think 1950s most likely.

Debora

 

How much yardage do you have?
Could it simply be a bedspread that someone cut? That is a very odd and narrow width for decor (not garment) fabric.

 

Yes @bluumz, it is a very strange width. 32-1/4" wide, selvage to selvage, so the width has not been cut. That's what has me stumped! I have almost 7 yards.

 

Thx @Debora for your mention of dressmaking fabric and everyone else for your thoughts. It pushed me to expand my thinking. I started reading up on matelasse used for clothes in the 1930s and this could be a good candidate for summer coats.

Also, this came in a large lot that had many edwardian dating items (baby bibs, night caps, and early linen fabric and my favorite, early linen sheets). Looked like most came from same collection sooooo ...

I'm going to guestimate at 1930s apparel matelasse yardage with unusual narrow width.

If any other suggestions please let me know ... Thx again!

 

http://www.materialpleasures.com/May-2005_ep_38.html

It looks like 1930's is a spot on guess as fabrics then were usually 30" to 34" wide. There you have it!

Leslie

 

Yeahhhh - thx for that site, @Leslie. That's another keeper site for reference.

 

I know very little about fabrics however since cotton shrinks I was curious if you measured before you washed it too (assuming it had never been washed). I wonder if shrinking from 36" down to 32¼" might not be out of the question.

 

Hi @say_it_slowly - Unfortunately, I did not measure prior to washing. That is a lesson I will NOT forget.