In 1983 JCPenney announced a $1 billion program to give its stores facelifts and rearrange merchandise. Apparel, home furnishings, and leisure lines would be emphasized, and auto service, hard line appliances, paint, hardware, lawn and garden merchandise, and fabrics were phased out. Its big mass merchant competitors, Montgomery Ward and Sears, continued in these lines.
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/compa...y-History.html
Penney's fun facts. Apparently they had fabric until 1983.
Since gingham can be a blend I would assume the burn test would let you know if it is cotton or a fiber blend. Good luck.