Aunt Grace - Garden Variety

1930s prints by Judie Rothermel

Author

Margo Krager
July 21, 2024

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We are highlighting some new fabric from Aunt Grace Garden in this newsletter but I wanted to make sure you know we have new fabrics coming all the time from all time periods. Our website has a SEARCH feature that allows you to see all the latest fabrics added to our site.

Depression Era Fabrics…colors and styles

Early 20th century (1910-20) solids and yarn dyed fabric were available in mid tone pastels. There were a few prints but often the pastel dyes used by American printers were fugitive. Post WWI, Germany had to give up their textile dye formulas as part of War Reparations. American firms used those new dyes to produce a wide range of prints. Women loved the new colorfast designs in lavender, yellow, pink, soft blue, peach and softer greens. The colorations were mainly light to medium.

If you look at a 1924 Sears, Roebuck Co catalog it is mostly dark monochromatic small prints with a flutter of double pinks and shirting lights.  By 1926 there was a major shift in the offerings. Lots of mid tone pastel prints and still a few darks, double pinks and shirtings. 

Backgrounds of the 1920s were frequently ‘lights’ with dots, lines and other fillers. The 1930s saw mainly plain off white or small light colored motifs. By the 40s there was a shift in some prints to either more intense colors,  and ‘gray out’ versions but always lots of light to medium designs. The War Years (1941-45) saw an emphasis on red, white and blue quilts.

The Percy Kent Company printed the first feed sacks in 1937.

Also…lots of ginghams and plaids. “That Green” solid was often used for setting the blocks. 

Popular quilt patterns were updated hexies as Grandmother’s Flower Garden and Double Wedding Ring. Butterfly and pansy block motifs emerged in the late 40s/early 50s as a new direction for quilters.

Marcus Brothers and Judie Rothermel introduced a line of 1930s reproductions in the early 1990s. It caught the attention of the marketplace!

Judie had a collection of quilts made by her aunt in the 30s. She has used these as inspiration for numerous collections...all called Aunt Grace. I always eagerly anticipate her newest offerings. 

Below are several new Aunt Grace Garden prints I recently received. They are available in limited quantities on my website. Please visit our Aunt Grace Garden Variety page for all our fabrics in this line. We also have Fat Quarter bundles of all 10 'classic' Aunt Grace solids. Classic colors---Yellow, Lilac,Pink, Blue, Marshmallow, Royal Blue, Aqua, Apple Green, Red and Orange plus 'That Green'!

AV412Q - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety

AV413B - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety

AV415L - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety

AV416L - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety Dark stripe to dark stripe 1/2"

AV411P - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety

AV414G - Marcus Fabrics, Judie Rothermel, AG Garden Variety

These kits come complete with all the fabrics needed for the quilt top; those that also contain instructions/pattern and backing are noted. If you would like additional fabric for coordinated projects, check on availability by clicking "view this fabric line" located below the kit image -- they may be available.

Ohio Star Quilt Kit Instructions (pattern), "That Green" setting squares, large selections of 1930-40s prints (45 Fat 1/6ths) for pieced Ohio Stars and a 5" Neon ruler for squaring up.

QKDOH8V - Ohio Star Quilt Kit Instructions (pattern)

QKDOH8V - Ohio Star Quilt Kit Instructions (pattern)

Notions and Closeouts

A selection of needles offered by long time French needle maker Bohin. Great gift for your self and others in your sewing circle. 

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