Question:
I think the first one is barkcloth, I have another pair of curtains that are labeled barkcloth- but look different.
The second one is a Natural fiber of some type. It is silky. reminds me of tie material? Is there such a thing?
I did the burn test, wound a bunch of strings held it to the flame, smelled like my fingers or nails were burning so I dropped it The black ash is gritty.
Answer:
Oh my, Denise, you must use tweezers to hold the fibers when doing a burn test or you will end up with blisters.
Which fabric did you use to do the burn test? Natural fibers should have a very smooth ash and not be gritty at all. Little hard beads indicate a synthetic fiber.
I wouldn't call the first fabric barkcloth. It looks more like a plain even weave fabric and barkcloth usually has an irregular weave.
I like the second fabric very much. Did you burn test it?
Joan
Answer:
Hi Joan,
The burn test was on the Cowboy fabric. It wasn't my fingers or nails burning it was the smell of the fiber, first time I got that smell from a burn test, I panicked . The cowboy fabric is 38" wide, so I am guessing vintage.
Elaines first link above for burn tests- said a "protein" fabric will leave a gritty black ash.
I didn't think the first fabric ( pic one and two are the same fabric) was barkcloth, but found a picture on eBay of the same weave called that. It's the 4th picture in this auction.
I am confusing myself here
Image one and Image two abover are the same fabric- the butterfly? is part of the floral design.
The Bronco rider / cowboy is the silky one.
Answer:
Do another burn test on the silky fabric using a very slender slice of fabric rather than single fibers. Hold with tweezers while burning. Notice notice how the fibers flame, does it ignite quickly and burn rapidly or does it tend to burn out leaving a small of the fabric intact? Can you crush the little beads or gritty residue?
I looked at the barkcloth drapes auction. I would never call that fabric barkcloth but I see vintage printed draperies being refered to as barkcloth more often than not. I would like to have seen a close up of the weave of the auction drapery fabric.
Joan
Answer:
I used the tweezers. It ignited slowly, and burned out. The smell is Burning Hair, or burning fingernail if you have ever done that It left a small piece of charred fabric intact in the tweezers. Yes, I can crush the gritty ash.
Below in pic 1 and 2 are the curtain panels the woman labeled as barkcloth, different from what I see on eBay.
One more question Pic 3 is 47-48" wide, can that be 70s? I am going by the colors and design.
Answer:
Denise, you did a good job with your burn test. I think it may be a vintage silk fabric but without seeing/feeling it, it's almost impossible to know for sure. It's a great looking design and should do well.
Pic #1 looks like a Colonial or Americana print drapery fabric. I don't think it is barkcloth. Pic #2 appears to be barkcloth if I am seeing the weave correctly. It has that irregular weave that I associate with barkcloth.
I think you are exactly right about Pic #3. Those are definitely 70s colors.
Joan
Answer:
I have a really good idea for a Service Oriented Business Textile IDs I would be a Very Good Customer LOL
Joan- 1 and 2 above are the same fabric- I got in closer and took a pic of the winter scene to try to get the weave.
Is there even a market for that design? It reminds me of Grandmas house many many years ago.
If only the Bronco fabric were Barkcloth, and the woven floral curtains were silk LMAO
Thanks for all your help Again! For some reason I keep running in to fabrics and patterns and quilt books lately.
Answer:
Denise, what a dunce I am. I see now that your second pic is a close up of the first. Take a look at my picture of authentic 1940s barkcloth. Can you see the uneven weave? Not all barkcloth looks exactly like this fabric but that uneven weave is one of the first things to look for.
Joan
Answer:
Denise, just like Joan has said, I don't think either of the two you suspect might be barkcloth are in fact barkcloth. Possibly the second one has a chance but it's hard to say. Please PM me your address and I will be very happy to send you a swatch of some vintage barkcloth and that should help with id'ing the stuff.
I'm a nincompoop when it comes to interpreting burn tests so if Joan thinks it's vintage silk I'll agree with her! That bronco design is really neat!
I also think the butterfly fabric could be 1970's - definitely 70's colors!
Answer:
Originally Posted by Denise Below in pic 1 and 2 are the curtain panels the woman labeled as barkcloth, different from what I see on eBay.
One more question Pic 3 is 47-48" wide, can that be 70s? I am going by the colors and design. When you list 1 / 2 be sure to mention the maple-sugaring scene. I'm wondering if that is a Bicentennial fabric. Lots of patriotic stuff typical of the 1976 fabrics, but unusual because of the maple sugar part. Also the PA Dutch motifs. VERRRRY interesting. Definitely curtain fabric, but definitely not the type of designs that have been the most popular in barkcloth for the past few years.