New 18th-Century Fabrics, Novelty Shirtings & Aunt Grace Baby Quilts

Dear Reproduction Fabrics Friends,

As we approach 2026, we will celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many of you are already planning quilts and projects to commemorate this historic milestone, and we’ve created a new 18th-Century Fabrics section on our website filled with authentic reproductions to inspire your work.

Before the 1600s, life in Europe and the American Colonies was clothed mainly in linen, wool, and silk (for the wealthy). Then came cotton, carried by the East India trade routes. Indian artisans produced fabrics for both domestic use and export—chambrays, yarn-dyed plaids, woven stripes, and block-printed or hand-painted chintzes. These textiles were lightweight, comfortable, and colorfast, a revelation compared to European wools and linens.

The Indian dyers worked with indigo, madder, and weld—natural dye stuffs used in Europe since the Middle Ages—while also incorporating new colorants from the Americas such as Brazilwood and logwood. The result was a stunning range of vibrant and long-lasting fabrics.

By the mid-1600s, the East India Company began shaping designs to appeal to British taste, even sending Indian craftsmen illustrated herbals, paintings, and embroidery to show examples of British flora and fauna. Indian artisans quickly adapted, and by 1668, the value of Indian cotton imports into England had surpassed that of pepper.

This success did not sit well with English linen and wool merchants. They petitioned Parliament to protect domestic production, leading to bans between 1701 and 1775 on the printing, selling, and wearing of Indian cottons. France imposed similar bans, forbidding not only the wearing and selling but even the display of Indian chintzes.

Despite these restrictions, cottons continued to flow steadily to the American Colonies. London merchants were still allowed to export goods to the colonies, and Indian cottons—whether simple chambrays or fine printed chintzes—remained in demand for both clothing and home furnishings.

Not all European countries followed the bans. The Dutch never restricted Indian cotton imports and continued to print and trade them freely. Their bold floral designs remained influential and are echoed today in collections like Dutch Heritage’s Surat prints, now featured in our 1775-1825 Section.

After the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation. By 1784, American traders were sailing directly to India, returning with ships full of indigo dye stuffs, raisins, and cottons—ginghams, woven stripes, Surat cottons, and beautifully painted chintzes. These imports helped define the textile character of the new Republic.

Explore the new 18th-Century Fabrics section on our website and start planning your own Semiquincentennial quilt project today.

Celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial - Two Subscription Options - Coming Soon!

A Textile History Tour: English Paper Piecing Mosaic Series - Quarterly Subscription

Celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial with a quarterly subscription that explores the evolution of fabrics and quiltmaking from 1600–1800. Each shipment highlights a different era—1600–1650, 1650–1700, 1700–1750, and 1750–1800—and includes a textile histories written by Fabric Historian, Margo Krager.

Pieced Strippy Quilt Block of the Month (6 Month Program) — Semiquincentennial Celebration

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with our Pieced Strippy Quilt Block of the Month! Inspired by late 18th-century Strippy Quilts, this design features 48 star blocks—one pattern with eight fabric variations—arranged in graceful stair steps. The quilt is framed with an authentic Dutch Heritage chintz, true to the scale and colors of the period.

Kindred Konversations – Novelty Shirtings by Sheryl Johnson

We’re delighted to introduce Kindred Konversations by Sheryl Johnson for Marcus Fabrics. This wonderful collection of whimsical conversational prints includes bicycles, tennis rackets, sailing ships, airplanes, and bottles—each rendered in soft sketches of red, blue, and taupe. These conversation prints will not last long.

Available now in Fat Quarter Bundles and yardage, these fabrics are perfect for shirtings, pieced blocks, or quilt backings. They bring a playful, vintage touch to any project and are the kind of prints that make people pause and smile when they spot them in your quilt. Perfect additions to your stash!

New Aunt Grace Quilt Kits – Rock My Baby by Judie Rothermel

Judie Rothermel has done it again with her newest pastel collection, Rock My Baby, inspired by her beloved Aunt Grace prints. With soft pinks, gentle blues, and cheerful yellows, these fabrics capture the sweetness of 1930s nursery style.

We’ve created two exclusive quilt kits—one in pink and one in blue—featuring star blocks, ginghams, and nostalgic motifs like unicorns, rocking horses, and baby bottles. Each kit includes all the fabrics for the quilt top and binding, plus the pattern. Finished size is approximately 35" x 35", making these kits perfect for baby gifts or keepsakes.

Turkey Trot Quilt Shop Hop – starts this week!

Join us Friday and Saturday to kick off the Turkey Trot Quilt Shop Hop (Nov 14–22, 2025). Start your passport at Reproduction Fabrics in Northfield, then visit the other participating shops to collect all 6 stamps.

How it works:
• Pick up a passport at your first stop
• Get it stamped at each shop
• Collect all 6 stamps to be entered to win one of six $50 gift cards
• Each shop has a special giveaway with purchase

Special Events happening this week at Reproduction Fabrics for the Shop Hop:

Special in Store deals and giveaways each day!
Nov. 14th - 12:30 - Indigo History - Margo will discuss the importance of Indigo for the American colonies and its worldwide influence on fabric dyeing.
Nov. 14th - 1:30 - Patricia Cox Applique Quilt Patterns. Patricia Cox’s beautiful designs are continuing on under a new name—Pencil to Needle. Jody Gavin and Jean Vick will be discussing Pat’s designs and giving tips and tricks to create your own masterpiece.
Nov. 15th - 10:30 - Applique Demo - Have you been curious about applique quilting? Miki Peine will be doing an applique demo and discussing some tips and tricks to get you started.
Nov. 15th - Designing a Civil War Fabric Line - Margo Krager will be showing her Civil War era fabric sample book and talking about the process she used to create her Civil War fabric line Margo’s a Soldiers Quilt.
On Demand - Hand Piecing demos - Introduction of the Postcard Projects by Jen Kingwell. Lot of templates and designs to choose from.

Grab a friend, plan your route, and come see what’s new! We can’t wait to stamp your passport at Reproduction Fabrics this Friday and Saturday.

Thank you for being part of this community of quilters, historians, and storytellers. Every fabric has a story—and together, we’re stitching them into history.