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Member since 5/16/08
Posts: 977
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Posted on: 8/24/08 7:27 PM ET
From an elderly lady's stash that dates as early as the 60s through the 80s, I got a piece of this fabric -- 1&5/8 yds and scraps left from a project. It looks like linen and is a navy that's headed toward indigo.

On the selvage is printed: Indian Head Cloth, Permanent Finish, Sanfordized.

What is Indian Head fabric?

Any ideas of what the permanent finish is?

Sanfordized is a trademarked term for a preshrinking process, no?

Is this fabric suitable for a skirt?

  
Member since 10/27/05
Posts: 5976
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Posted on: 8/24/08 7:56 PM ET
In reply to Sewandwrite
It's a vintage high quality muslin that looks similar to linen and was used in quilts.

Yes, sanforized is a trademarked term for "minimizing" shrinkage.

Amazon has a few books with "Indian Head Cloth" excerpts if you're interested. Click here.

I have no idea if the fabric could be used for a skirt. I want to say, why not, but I'm not sure. Also, a lot depends on how the fabric was stored. It's really old, and the stress of sitting down might cause the fabric to split.

  
Member since 7/11/05
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Posted on: 8/24/08 7:58 PM ET
In reply to Sewandwrite
Indian Head was an American Textile manufacturer.
The cloth is collected these days.
It probably is indigo dyed.
Since it has been Sanforized, your piece is cotton or a cotton blend and was manufactured some time after 1930.

A Google search will get you more info, Like the following:

Indian Head textiles
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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

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St. Augustine
  
Member since 5/16/08
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Posted on: 8/24/08 8:00 PM ET
Thanks, Ccris!

None of the fabric (or patterns) I got from the elderly lady were antique. The oldest stuff, based on receipts I found with them and copyrights on patterns, was 1969 and the newest was 1986.

May I be so bold to ask if there a market for Indian Head Cloth? Maybe it's best in the hands of someone who desires it. There's another chunk of navy cloth I got from her stash that can become a skirt.


  
Member since 5/16/08
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Posted on: 8/24/08 8:03 PM ET
In reply to tlmck3
tlmck3 --

I had googled: Indian head cloth

TEXTILES is much better search term. Thanks!
  
Member since 7/7/05
Posts: 292
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Posted on: 8/24/08 8:07 PM ET
In reply to Sewandwrite
I remember Indian Head cotton from my childhood--my mother loved it. I used Indian Head for the draperies I made for my husband's and my first apartment in 1967. It is a very nice cotton with a sort of linen-y look and feel (only no slubs as I remember). My mother did occasionally use Indian Head for clothing, much as we would use a mid-weight poplin or linen. I do believe it was used for home dec more often than for clothing. I would think it would work as a skirt (with a pattern you would more typically use with linen, etc.). I don't think I'd fear washing it, although navy cotton often does tend to fade domewhat. It's a nice, substantial fabric, and I wish it were still made. You have brought back some warm memories for me--thanks!!
  
Member since 10/27/05
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Posted on: 8/24/08 10:00 PM ET
In reply to Sewandwrite
1969 would make the fabric 39 years old. The old definition of vintage was 50 years and antique was 100 years. Currently, both of those terms are loosely used, so I guess it depends on who you talk to. 39 year old fabric is old in my opinion, but certainly usable if it's been stored properly.

As far as it being collectible, I don't know as I'm not a vintage fabric collector. Since it's not manufactured anymore, I would imagine it's a collectible fabric for some. Maybe someone who's been into quilting for a long time could give you an opinion.

If you love the fabric and think it will hold up to clothing, then keep it.................use it...............enjoy it. Have fun and good luck.

  
Member since 12/10/05
Posts: 1221
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Posted on: 9/2/08 4:53 AM ET
In reply to Sewandwrite
Quote: Sewandwrite
Is this fabric suitable for a skirt?



Check out this old advertisement for Indian Head fabric, which definitely shows it being used for a skirt:

http://www.dressaday.com/2008/07/pick-pocket-any-pocket.html

Actually now that I look again, that's probably a dress, but why not sew a skirt?

Vireya
-- Edited on 9/2/08 4:55 AM --
-- Edited on 9/2/08 4:55 AM --
  
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Posted on: 9/3/08 3:20 AM ET
I remember a dress my Mom made for me from Indian Head. It was about 1955 and it had a full skirt with inverted pleats and had to be ironed and I mean ironed. I loved the dress, but hated to iron it! I remember it being a "heavy" dress . It fitted through the bodice and the deep inverted pleats opened at the waistline.
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Member since 12/22/14
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Posted on: 12/22/14 11:43 AM ET
I grew up in Indianhead fabric dresses. I assure you Indianhead makes good, sturdy dresses for school and play and lasts so long that you have to pass the dresses down as you grow. The fabric makes a neat-looking garment, launders nicely and, being sanforized, does not shrink. The dresses do need ironing but that only adds to their neat presentation. The fabric comes (or came) in many attractive colors.

If you can still find Indianhead, you have found a gold mine for children's clothing.
  
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