I believe they are styled after the sorts of prints that were used in various eras (one reproduction website gives the dates of 1775-1950). I'm familiar with three basic categories: French reproduction fabrics (French General, Three Sisters), Civil War fabrics (rich and/or subdued colors, small highly textured prints) and depression era fabrics (childlike and cheerful). Denyse Schmidt's fabrics are small busy prints like the Civil War fabrics, but in brighter colors; for me they recall the 50s.