How to market 40s/50s patching coat?? HELP!

V

Vintagetrend

Registered Guest
Ummmm well, this is not my forte. I know nothing about things like this, I believe this is from the 1940s to early 1950s although at first glance I thought 60s due to the patches. The cut of this coat as well as another one I have that is extremely 40s style, also I am not an expert at textiles but upon careful inspection it looks as if all fabric is from the 40s or older... My main concern is a few of the silk patches have completely shattered. Is this still desirable? SHould I even bother? Most patches are silk or rayon. I just could not pass it up!
I would love some help in key words, different (or the same) opinions on age and such...
<img src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056787/Images/patchoffcetner1.JPG">
<img src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056787/Images/patchoffcetner2.JPG">
<img src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056787/Images/patchoffcetner3.JPG">
<img src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056787/Images/patchcurvy7.JPG">

Thanks so much everyone!
Ask me any questions needed to help date this piece please.

Michelle
 
If a few patches are shattered and they are not near a critical seam, would affect the structure or are not right in the middle of the bust like. I wouldn't worry so much. There is a lot going on here to distract from it, and since any given piece of fabric next to it is a totally different type and seperated by stitching, etc, the shattering has no danger of "running".

It just reminds me of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in more muted tones or Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors"

People have used "Nothing Matches" but i don't know if people really search that. To me the border trim unifies.

A "crazy quilt" look coat????
 
This is lovely. I can see why you couldn't pass it up.

This is a specific kind of patchwork - Crazy Quilt as Chris mentioned. A very popular home craft project since the victorian era. First used in quilts, then in articles of clothing. A big resurgence of this craft in the 70's. But I agree, this is no later than early 50's.

I have a hunch this was intended to be a robe rather than a coat. And a bohemian looking one at that.

I think this would be desireable. Many people who collect this sort of thing also collect vintage period fabric remnants so they can repair damaged peices. If there a only a few damaged sections, I think it could be easily salvaged. Is the backing fabric in good shape? And would the backing fabric happen to be wool? How are the embroidery stitches? Are they all the same? Usually a feather stich was used to embellish the sections, but other stitches were also used and sometimes a combination.

Dating is a challenge because projects like this could take years, even decades to finish.

Or this could be a quilt that was later made into a robe.

So I'm saying 50's or earlier.

carol
 
Really pretty! I'm not good on dating these, but I would think about neatly cutting out the patches that are in irrepairable tatters, as long as the backing is still all intact. The one above the bust would, I think, look better in photo presentation if just the backing fabric showed, rather than the tattered remnant of the patch. If anyone's handy with needle & thread they could repair these few areas without much trouble, I would think.
 
Wow, great info and a great idea to cut out the tatters of the silk.
Carol, I thought this may be more of a robe as well rather then a coat. I do have two of them. This is the more damaged. The other is fitted through the waist and bodice and flairs out with the longest metal zipper I have think I have ever seen, "poofy" shoulders... Here is a pic of the second one.
<img src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30056787/Images/patchcurvy1.JPG">
Anyway, do you think they are still robes? I am so unsure.. It looks as if the patches are sewn to a natural cheese cloth type fabric, called the backing right? The backing seems to be in excellent condition from what I can see. The coat itself is then lined in a rose crispy fabric. I think this lining has been replaced as the lining of the other coat is a heavy shiny old cotton or rayon... The embroidery stitchs are of the same type (I do not know if that is what you meant by the same) but something REALLY cool about it is the maker of this coat/robe used different colors for different patches, alot of time went into just planning colors ect. I THINK its a feather stitch? I see no other stitching at all, it looks as if each piece was folded at the edged and ironed, placed on the fabric and sewn with the feather stitch? Does that sound right. A couple pieces look as if they were sewn at the edges, mainly the delicate silks.. I can almost say 100% that this was not a blanket at first, I think it was constructed to be a coat/robe.

Anne, thanks that is a really good idea, I was just not sure if a buyer would rather have the remenants or not for study or some such thing. Actually that does not make much sense does it? LOL

SO this is technically a crazy quilt kind of thing? Interesting...

This is going to be a real challenge for me!

Should I take tons of pictures of the patches?

What are other important things.. a closeup of the stitching and backing?

Anything else?

Thanks SO SO Much everyone!

Michelle
 
Your second one has a very 30's vibe to it. And until I re-read your first post about 40's era fabric in the first one, I was getting a 20's vibe from that. And yes, I think they are definately robes. Could the backing be muslin perhaps? I would call them Crazy Quilt Robes. And include a close-up of the embroidery stitches and the backing as well. I would probably leave the tattered pieces - just so the new owner could get an idea of the color that the crafter used.

carol
 
Maybe you could leave some fabric around the edges of the patches that are tattered, for color, which is a good idea, but cut out just the stringy pieces....

All these are just beautiful, and they do look like robes, or lounging gowns, to me!
 
I would personally not cut the damaged pieces out unless you were keeping it. I would leave that to the new owner. You never know. They may want to keep it original original for display purposes/keep the "history". Or they might have their own personal taste in what the fabric is replaced with, or are a very skilled quilter and want to meticulously match the stitching If wanting to wear for a special occasion or costume, it is more wearable without any additional holes created by taking out the damage.

I really like the second one two, they are both so interesting!

Also, be sure to name some of the individual patterns...it will help more people who are searching on the internet or ebay, wherever this one goes find it.
 
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