Reproduction Fabrics - Springtime and Paisley's

Hello Fellow Reproduction Fabric lovers, 

Spring has arrived in Minnesota, and it’s been absolutely lovely. With the recent rains, the daffodils and tulips are finally poking their heads above ground, and soon the trees will be bursting with blossoms. There’s nothing quite like the fresh colors and sweet scents of spring—it's my favorite season of all.

As nature wakes up around us, I’ve been thinking about the beautiful patterns inspired by flowers and plants—one of the most iconic being the paisley.

A Little History of the Paisley Pattern

The elegant, teardrop-shaped paisley motif has a long and fascinating journey. It originally adorned the luxurious Kashmir shawls (*shals*), which were first woven in 17th-century Kashmir. These shawls, made from the incredibly soft winter fleece of local Kashmir goats, were dyed with native vegetable colors and painstakingly twill-woven. A truly fine shawl could take five years to complete and was valued as highly as a London townhouse!

By the 18th century, Kashmir shawls entered Europe via the Spice Trade and became must-have accessories for the fashion-conscious elite. They perfectly complemented the simple, elegant lines of the Empire silhouette. Napoleon himself helped popularize them in France by gifting one to Josephine, who went on to amass a collection of more than 60 shawls.

European weavers, especially in Paisley, Scotland, soon found ways to imitate these intricate designs using the newly invented Jacquard loom. The town of Paisley became so famous for its beautiful reproductions that the motif itself took on the town’s name. Even after the shawl fell out of fashion with the advent of the bustle in 1869, the paisley motif lived on—and remains a timeless design favorite today.

Cream Paisley Trails from Michelle Yeo's new collection Mariakerke.

Introducing Our New Civil War Core Collection!

We’re also excited to highlight a special new offering: the Civil War Core Collection! With mothers day right around the corner these new Core Collection bundles make a great gift for those special ladies in your life.  

Fabric styles during the Civil War era featured foulards and plaids—and lots of them! In Paris around 1855, a large, colorful printed plaid was the height of fashion. Meanwhile, a general store on the edge of the American prairie would offer a sturdy, yarn-dyed small check. The passion for plaids can be traced back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s remodeling of Balmoral Castle, where they often wore tartans, inspiring a worldwide fashion trend.

Color stories from this era include the trusted reds and blues for prints and wovens, and the fashionable "new" colors: flat lavenders and a wide range of browns.

It’s fascinating to note that 1850-1855 marked the *peak* of American calico production for the 19th century—with an astounding 10,000 different offerings annually!

Featured Fabrics in This Collection: Woven checks, Printed woven plaids, Soldier’s Quilt designs from Margo’s 1863–1865 antique sample book and Solid Bella Mocha and Mauve fabrics

Each Fat Quarter Bundle includes 25 carefully selected fat quarters curated by Margo Krager, owner of Reproduction Fabrics and textile historian. Plus, you’ll receive multiple essays written by Margo about fabric, fashion, and life during the Civil War period.

Whether you’re a quilter, a historian, or simply a lover of beautiful fabrics, we know you’ll be inspired by this rich collection.

New in Shop - Turn of 20th Century - Shirtings

From Cottage Flowers - New Green, Red and Blue Dot shirtings.  

We are always adding new products to the shop!  Bookmark this link to always have access to our latest reproduciton offerings!  

Wishing you a season full of flowers, fresh ideas, and a little sewing magic

—Margo