"Reproduction" fabrics/prints
 

I do think an adjective or two is helpful when these are mentioned -

reproduced/copied from what/when?

I'm so dumb I called them repos for years and years.

Like the repo man was going to come take my reproductions

I say 30's reproductions or 1800 reproductions.

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.

Years ago I saw on Fons and Porter show where they had chosen very old fabrics to have reproduced. It was quite interesting.

KalamaQuilts: You are not so dumb. In the world of antiques the word has been abbreviated often to repo but meaning reproduction. One example being Carnival glass, originally about 1918 - 1926 and then "repos" came out in the '70's.

KalamaQuilts: I call them "repos" also. When I moved to my current city, went to quilt shop and asked if they had repos, they didn't know what I was talking about. I explained and was told,"no, they didn't carry reproduction fabric and didn't know what that was" This was a 25 yr business. The new owner carries "repos". Also, I have quite a collection. Everyone I know collects repos.

I agree that it would be nice if they marketed these prints with more information about the dates and sources. It would enhance the authenticity of a project if a person was trying to make, say, a quilt for a reenactment scene. I like history, and would simply enjoy knowing more about the vintage designs.

I have civil war repros and 30’s repros. There is also a Downton Abbey line which is more 1900-1920ish. I think there was a Little House on the Prarie line too, which was... what? 1870ish? I love them all and am glad we have them to make reproduction quilts.