Please help me date this cotton floral fabric

[Jen S]

I am guessing this is 50s or 60s, leaning toward early 60s, but unsure. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Jen,

Hard to be accurate on dating without handling it in person. Is this a dress weight fabric, or is it upholstery/drapery fabric? What is the width from selvage to selvage? Can you determine the fiber, cotton, rayon, etc.?

It is charming.

 

[Jen S]

Thanks Barbara -- yes, of course I should've included that info, sorry! It's lightweight cotton, the width is 44", I would guess it is a dress fabric, of the sort people use for patchwork quilts. Slightly shiny surface.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

The width suggests a more modern dating: probably '70s or '80s but going on the floral print and colours I'll pick mid to late '70s. It looks like a polished cotton. One of my favourite materials.

Widths vary a lot as technology is developed, which is really handy because textile prints are often influenced by earlier styles.

 

[Jen S]

Thank you. It surprises me -- I did not think this was as late as the 70s. Are you saying the 44" width means it's necessarily post 60s; or just likely, and then you base the rest of your assessment on the look? Thanks!

 

[Pinkcoke]

I would have said 80's, we have not dissimilar fabric curtains in our dining room - when we moved in the wallpaper matched it!

 

[Jen S]

Hmm, I sewed a lot in the 80s and this feels different to me than what I recall... I'm not sure how to describe it, exactly, but I would say the fabric is finer and somehow feels a bit -- drier? Does that make any sense? And the selvedge looks a bit different, more narrow, and finer, and less perfectly finished than fabrics I recall from the 80s. But I am aware there's always the temptation to date things earlier and all this info is helpful, thanks!

 

[TangerineBoutique]

It could be 60s. That's when the industry started mass producing the wider 44"-45" fabric. Before the 60s only a few fabrics that were woven on the broad looms. Can you show a close up of the selvedge?

 

[Jen S]

Sorry, it's not a very good picture, hope you can see anyway.

 

[Linn]

Generally dress goods as opposed to home furnishing goods are 44" wide. Home furnishing goods are (and were) 48" or 54" wide or wider depending on the weight and purpose. This was definitely the case in the 1960's. Your fabric has a very classic pattern so it's hard to pin it down since it appears there is nothing printed on the selvage to identify it. It could be 60's.

 

[TangerineBoutique]

I don't see any roller holes in the selvedge, like you often see in later fabric (often but not always). I'm thinking it is probably 60s.

 

[Jen S]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[cherrymcdowell]

Many say that it was from 60's. And it might be true.