Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Thrifted Gem

My favorite vintage store in Kansas City, Good JuJu, was open last weekend. I spent Saturday morning browsing. One of the clerks noticed me fingering every textile in the place. I was about to leave when she asked me if I was interested in vintage fabric. We had a short conversation and then she said, "I have something in my car that you might be interested in." This is what she brought in to show me...a Wamsutta studio print. She told me that these fabrics were manufactured in the 40's and 50's for the studios for set dressing...curtains, pillows, etc. I've been trying to do some research on this fabric, but no luck, yet. She found this in Texas.

Isn't it amazing! I love the colors, the retro vibe and it's on its original bolt board. The best news...I've got 13 yards. She wouldn't cut it. All or nothing.

I may have to figure out how to share some of this. I will probably never use 13 yards. For now, I will simply let it grace my studio and make me happy.

39 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW! That is an amazing find! The colors are so vibrant, and it way funky :)

dutchcomfort said...

OMG what a wonderful find!! Enjoy just looking at the doze!

Lily Boot said...

Oh my good golly - what a fabulous find! Good thing it's "sanforised" and all :-) It is a wonderful print - and extra great because of the history behind it - do post more about it if you can discover anything.

Tine said...

That is beautiful!! Lucky you :-)

Alissa said...

What a great find. And so unique that it was for the studios back in the golden age of Hollywood... amazing.

gunnelsvensson said...

Congratulations! This is really wonderful !!

Anonymous said...

That's gorgeous. Most vintage fabric is a little ho-hum, but this one is ahead of its time. Good on you!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Vintage fabric on the bolt - such a terrific find!

Levin said...

Gorgeous fabric. How lucky are you??
l
x

Abby and Stephanie said...

Oh lucky you!!! It's awesome and looks in such great condition. I even love the bolt board!

Anonymous said...

I don't believe it! My nana had this IN HER KITCHEN when I was a girl. I remember being fascinated by it as I ate her version of Chinese food a la Chung King cans!!!! If you EVER want to sell a piece of it, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember me!!!!! I know that I would put some in my kitchen to remind me to always take chances w/ cooking...... and to remember my nana. Thank you so much!! Wow, Mary Beth -- mblarosa@cox.net

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

What a find!

Amy said...

This fabric is great! A true gem for sure, I would savor every little inch!!

Unknown said...

You were definitely in the right place at the right time! Don't you just love it? The fabric is great!

QuiltedSimple said...

Oh I love it - that is a wonderful find!
Kris

Becky said...

How very cool! I know you will find something neat to make and use it on.

Regi said...

Congratz on the awesome find!!! I just know you will find something amazing to do with it... and i cant wait to see what it is.

Stephanie D said...

Fascinating--and still on the bolt, too!

MichelleB said...

That was definitely quite the find! It's lovely.

gulatalpina said...

wonderful fabric and very very nice blog! I like expecially your "square motion" ^_^

Madge said...

That is incredible. Lucky you.

Trisha said...

What a lucky find! It will be fun to see what you end up doing with it. After you enjoy it on the bolt for a while of course!

Amy said...

That's amazing. I love it. I'd probably be too chicken to actually use it. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Darcie said...

You are such a lucky shopper! And you must have the BEST shops in the nation!

Isn't it funny how one could easily mistake your found fabric for...say a Michael Miller or something similar...of today?! FUN!

Cami said...

It is delish!

MightyMom said...

DUDE!! 13 yards is almost an entire bolt! wow~

might get it appraised before you decide what to do with it...methinks there's a reason she wouldn't cut it.

Nanette Merrill said...

It's really beautiful. You'll come up with something, in the mean time it is fun to look at.

Anonymous said...

Amazing find!

Cheryl Arkison said...

When you are interested in cutting it, give me a shout...

Shannon said...

It's such an unusual print :) I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Marie' said...

WOW! You are so lucky.

Cathi said...

That is an incredible find! Think of the things you could do with that with a little fussy cutting!!

nettie said...

no way! that's awesome.

sewtakeahike said...

ooohhh Jacquie! Do I smell another fabulous quilt coming our way??? That is one great print, and the printing on the end of the bolt is enough to make me seriously smile!

Lisa said...

very cool! We don't have thrift stores like that around here. Wish we did.

Rebekah said...

what a score! That fabric is amazing!

Anonymous said...

OMG!! Did you score big time or what? Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Thinking a litte weekend trip to KC to the Good JuJu might be in the makings.
BTW your political rant was so on target, thanks for expressing yourself!

Amanda Jean said...

how great would that look in wonky log cabins?

Victoria said...

Fabulous find! Love the color and the pattern, what a treasure!