Vintage Wednesday: Barkcloth

Recently I found a pair of curtains made of barkcloth. Barkcloth is a fabric that has a crinkled texture like the bark of a tree and takes it's name from a cloth popular at one time in Asia that was actually made from tree bark. You can find an interesting history of that here.

Barkcloth was a popular textile in the 40s, 50s and into the 60s. Vintage textiles often had tropical flowers or birds or abstract prints. Fabrics from the 50s often incorporated "atomic" designs. My favorites have bright bursts of color.

Barkcloth was often used for upholstering, curtains and accessories, but was also used in clothing. It can still be found in fabric stores today. The colors and patterns are still bold, but to me there's nothing like a vintage piece of barkcloth fabric.

DIY Monday: Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Paint

It's been a while since I first learned about this paint, and it took a little time to find. I wasn't successful finding it at my local craft stores, so I had to order it online. Since it's a little pricey, I have been waiting for the perfect project to try it out.

I changed the quilt on our bed about two months ago and since then I've been looking for the right art to put over our bed - as anyone will tell you I'm of the belief that "white space" is great in an ad, but not something I like in my home. So having a stash of old frames I found one that I think will work with the other things I'm pulling together and tried it out.

First I cleaned the glass thoroughly on both sides. Then, following the instructions I used a well-shaken can to put on the first, thin layer of paint. I shook a little more while I was waiting the directed minute between layers (to let the solvents evaporate) and then sprayed another thin layer. I repeated this 5 times and sure enough on the 5th layer I could see that the paint had pretty much turned opaque by that last layer.

Emerging a little light headed (the smell is very strong), I put the glass in a place where it could safely dry. About 12 hours later, the result is an antique mirror-like finish. I wouldn't say it looks like a new mirror, but there's definitely a reflection that looks a lot like some of the older mirrors I have that have been dulled by time.

I think in the future I may use this paint to spruce up some of the old metal frames I find at estate sales. It's not chrome shiny, but it'll add just the right finish to frames that others may be tempted to just toss. Overall, I think this was worth the time to track down and try!

Vintage Wednesday: Tobacco Flannels

I was recently lucky enough to find a tobacco flannel at an estate sale. The guy checking me out shook his head when I walked up with the flannel - not expecting that I'd know what it was. In a way, I didn't as I'd always called them cigar box flannels. After doing some research, however, I've found that the correct name is probably tobacco flannel or tobacco felt. It seems cigar box collectors have challenged the thought that they were included in cigar boxes, though they really are the right size!

These were included as incentives for buying tobacco in the late part of the 19th Century into the early part of the 20th Century in the U.S. I understand that popularity waned with WWI, which makes sense given trends at the time. They come in different shapes and sizes (this one is one of the larger ones I've seen). Flags were a popular theme, but I've also seen butterflies and even a beaver.

I imagine the reason I knew what this was is that I'd seen them used in quilts. Industrious women apparently saw the beauty in these long before I graced the planet. I've also seen some beautiful example of silk cigar ribbons made into quilts or table covers.

I'm not sure what I'll do with this little beauty yet, but I sure am glad I found it!