Dear Reproduction Fabrics Friends,
Spring has arrived, and with it comes that wonderful sense of renewal—fresh colors, new beginnings, and of course, inspiration for our quilting projects. As Easter approaches, we find ourselves surrounded by the soft hues and cheerful prints that make this season so special.
It has been a very busy March here at Reproduction Fabrics—we’ve welcomed eight new fabric lines into the shop! There is nothing quite like opening boxes of new fabrics as winter fades and the light begins to change and the days start to get longer again. This time of year always brings my thoughts back to one of my favorite eras: the 1930s and 1940s.
The story of Depression-era fabrics is truly fascinating. In the early 20th century (1910–1920), solids and yarn-dyed fabrics were common, often in mid-tone pastels. Prints existed, but many of the dyes used by American printers were fugitive and prone to fading. That all changed after World War I, when Germany—required to share its dye formulas as part of war reparations—opened the door for American textile manufacturers to create colorfast fabrics in a beautiful new palette.
Suddenly, quilters had access to prints in lavender, butter yellow, soft pinks, pale blues, peach, and gentle greens. These lighter, more cheerful tones quickly became beloved.
If you flip through a 1924 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog, you’ll still see mostly darker, small-scale prints with the occasional double pink or shirting. But by 1926, there’s a dramatic shift—pastel prints take center stage, joined by lighter backgrounds and a growing sense of playfulness in fabric design. Another fascinating shift came in 1937, when the Percy Kent Company introduced the first feed sacks—transforming everyday necessity into a creative resource for quilters across America.
We’re especially excited to share that we now have two new 1930s-inspired collections in the shop from Judie Rothermel:
- Aunt Grace Goes Bold
- Aunt Grace Rock Your Baby
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These lines beautifully capture the spirit of the era—soft yet lively, nostalgic yet fresh. We have bundles available, along with a selection of free patterns to help you get started on your next project.
Spring is the perfect time to revisit these joyful fabrics—whether you’re planning a new quilt, adding to your stash, or simply enjoying the history stitched into every print.
We invite you to take a look at what’s new and let a bit of 1930s charm brighten your sewing room this season.
Other New Lines in the Shop!
Thanks as always for your support of our shop and our love of textile history and reproductions. We appreciate all of you and wish you a joyful Easter and a season filled with creativity,
Warmly,
Margo and the Reproduction Fabrics Team
