Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s: And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s and 40s [Paperback]

John Gramstad (Author), Gideon Bosker (Author, Photographer), Bruce Beaton (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s, and 40s | Publication Date: April 1, 1992

In this nostalgia-packed celebration of fabric design during its riotous mid-century years, over 170 striking full-color photographs accompanied by a lively text and detailed captions document the bold new patterns and unprecedented color combinations that had taken over American home decor. After the war, designs based on science and fantasy proliferated, and no home was complete without boomerang-patterned drapes at the windows or a cowboy-print couch in the den. Organized by pattern type into ten chapters, Fabulous Fabrics also covers the floral prints and Hollywood inspired satins of the 30s and the vivid tropical and nautical designs of the 40s. Today, these fabrics are hot collector's items appreciated for their kitschy optimism and their bright evocation of a more innocent era. A must have resource for designers, interior decorators, artists, architects, and pop-culture buffs, Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s is the ultimate tribute to the exuberant spirit of the century's most innovative textiles.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fabulous Fabrics of the '50s )and Other Terrific Textiles of the '20s, '30s and '40s)," by Gideon Bosker, Michele Mancini and John Gramstad, gives us yet another of this publisher's definitive glimpses of the pop-culture past. Warning: Grandma's-house-flashbacks ahead. With its great images of birch-bark weaves, wafflecloth, barkcloth, pima cotton and much, much more, you will want to run your fingers over the pages but, alas, samples aren't included.

The authors are vintage textile collectors and purveyors, and they trace the evolution of the fabrics as patterns exploded accroding to the thmese and trends of the era. --Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Fabulous Fabrics of the '50s )and Other Terrific Textiles of the '20s, '30s and '40s)," by Gideon Bosker, Michele Mancini and John Gramstad, gives us yet another of this publisher's definitive glimpses of the pop-culture past. Warning: Grandma's-house-flashbacks ahead. With its great images of birch-bark weaves, wafflecloth, barkcloth, pima cotton and much, much more, you will want to run your fingers over the pages but, alas, samples aren't included.

The authors are vintage textile collectors and purveyors, and they trace the evolution of the fabrics as patterns exploded accroding to the thmese and trends of the era. --Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle Post-Intelligencer2 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Gideon Bosker is an Oregon based author, photographer, and connoisseur of popular culture whose many books include Freak Show, and Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s.

John Gramstad is a textile collector who lives in Portland, Oregon. He sells his fabrics all over the world.

Bruce Beaton is a freelance photographer who lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1st edition (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877018111
• ISBN-13: 978-0877018117
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,005,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s, April 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s: And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s and 40s (Paperback)

If you are as passionate as myself for the American curtain and upholstry fabrics of the mid 20th century, you will want to have this book. The photographs of these bold and colorfull textiles are so well desplayed throughout the book it is almost a book of fabric art as well as an excellent reference. The text covers where the designs originated as well as the who, what, when and where that influenced the changes of the textures and designs from the 1920s through the 1950s.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's True - FABULOUS FABRIC ~ FABULOUS BOOK!, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s: And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s and 40s (Paperback)

This is my first online book purchase. I am so impressed with this book. The photos leave nothing to the imagination. Clear and concise from page 1 all the way through to page 117. This book is a must have for every textile collector, buyer, seller.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite all that it boasts in the title ..., June 23, 2006

By 

M. Arendsee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s: And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20s, 30s and 40s (Paperback)

It was a wonderful book full of great images ... I would say that the title should be revised to read "florals of the 40's (and other terrific florals of the 20's and 30's)" as that is what a majority of the book is. Based on the cover and title I would have expected that more than a 1/3rd of the book should have been dedicated to the 50's.