Hello,
I have a project for an ‘Ocean Waves’ quilt and I want an ancient traditional look; I wonder when the fabrics with small printing ‘white on white’ had appeared. Is from XX° century or before? Or, should I work with just a white cotton ?

Does anybody know?

Thank you
Patricia

Sorry I don't know but it's an interesting question. May in Jersey

I'm pretty sure white on white fabrics are fairly recent. If you want a traditional look you should stick with a plain white.

what do you consider "ancient"?

what about an unbleached muslin in place of the white? If you really want white, use a white muslin. What time frame are you thinking of for "ancient"? If it doesn't need to be solid, you could try some shirtings fabrics.

LOL

In my mind, ancient/traditional and WOW don't mix :wink: I would go with a solid :D:D:D

If you are talking about pre-1900, or there about, use shirtings which are white /ecru/natural/ backgrounds with tiny colored prints in them. Any quilt store will know what you mean when asked for them.

Some of the tiny prints in the past decade were actual figures of people/boats/anchors and so forth that would really lend themselves to your quilt pattern.

If you are unfamilira with shirtings, check this site: http://www.hickoryhillquilts.com/shirtings.htm

Jan in VA

Thank you everybody!!

Patricia

are you talking 1800's ancient? or 30's ancient?

the 1800's fabrics were not (white-white) bleach was not used so much for making the basic muslins white.
if you visit and browse quilt museum pictures you will find there really was no white like fabrics used in 1800's quilts they are quite dark

30's quilts are quite white---and colorful and i've seen 30's quilts that do have white on white fabrics (mostly shirtings)