Fascinating Vintage Fabric of the Week - Taki 183 - Graffiti Artist

 

This vintage 1970s fabric had me stumped. Are the letters and numbers from a high school year book, classroom room numbers, or maybe bible verses?  I had to do a bit of research to find out the meaning behind the names and numbers. 

The fabric is sold and no longer available, but please read about TAKI 183 - Graffiti Artist Pioneer.


Take a look at the center of the photo and you will find TAKI 183 in yellow. 

It turns out that TAKI 183 was the alias of the very first graffiti artist written about in the media in 1971 by The New York Times.  Taki was the nickname of a Greek teenager that lived in New York and 183 was the number of the street he lived.

Taki soon had copycats such as The King 145, Roberta 223, Mike 38 and many others.

You can read the full story about TAKI 183 by The New York Times dated July 21, 1971.

Check out the TAKI 183 website, you'll find photos of Taki's graffiti and biography (and The New York Times article above).

To see the history of graffiti check out the short timeline clips on "Timeline of Graffiti"  TAKI 183 is the fourth clip in.

This is one historic retro fabric that I am doubtful I'll come across again.  It's been said that the last whereabouts of Taki is he owns a foreign car shop.

Mice-a-Roni fabric - authentic, yay or nay?

I was so excited to recently have found some Wacky Packages fabric!

But...is the fabric authentic Wacky Packages? According to the website Lost Wackys, this Mice-a-Roni fabric is vintage 1970s but lists it as "Mice-A-Roni Imitation Wacky Material"

Say it isn't so!

Wacky Packages were trading cards created in 1967 that poked fun at American products and brands. Wikipedia has some great information about Wacky Packages.

As a kid my allowance money was eaten up by the sheer volume of Wacky Packages that I bought. Now I wish that I had those packages, I'd love to see them again.

I emailed the website administrator of Lost Wackys and asked for clarification about this fabric. I'm eagerly waiting for a response. I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE 1/1/12:

I think we can assume that this Mice a Roni fabric probably is a Wacky Packages knockoff, and dates to the 1970s.

A reader on Revival Fabrics facebook wall wrote that she also owns some of this Mice a Roni fabric and says, "Topps which did Wacky Packages did NOT do this. This is refered to by everyone as a knockoff. I don't know who manufactured and designed it. If it helps, I picked mine up along with some material called Quak Goats. It looks like Quaker Oats."

Interesting stuff. Now we know that both Mice a Roni and more than likely Quak Goats also, are both knockoffs of Wacky Packages.

Can You Name This Vintage Fabric? Win It! Hurry!

Join in a fun contest to win a vintage fabric valued at $59

Do you know what this type of fabric was named in the 1960s?

Name this vintage non-stretch, fluidly draping polyester red and white polka dot fabric by Friday, June 4 and you win it! All three yards of it.

Leave your answer here, or over at Revival Fabrics Facebook page. If you are the first person to answer correctly by Friday 11:59 p.m., you win the fabric with shipping included.

Here are some hints:

* the name is a food that is sweet and yummy
* the fabric has a subtle crepe appearance
* its a fabric from the 1960s - 1970s
* a garment weight fabric

Game on!

Full Bolt of Retro Fabric - Buy the Bolt get 1 yard free!

I sure get stoked when I find a full bolt of retro fabric and vintage fabric ! It's much more common to find fabric remnants in 3 - 5 yard pieces.

On Revival Fabrics right now is 11 uncut yards of retro fabric on the original Everfast cardboard bolt. I'm offering the 11th yard free if you buy 10 yards. In this economy, I want my designing and sewing friends to have all the help they can get. (The discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The fabric is also sold by the yard, if you don't need 11 yards)

This vintage fabric is quality, reflected in the original $4.00 per yard price sticker on the end of the bolt --- quite high for it's time in the 1960s - 1970s. And also cool to find original sticker prices.

Printed on the selvage of the fabric is Everfast Fabrics, Inc.

Everfast was known in it's time as a manufacturer of deeply dyed fabrics with colors not prone to fade in the sun or in the wash.

If you are an independent designer, and have a large order from one of your buyers, you certainly could make many handbags, purses, jackets, pillows, or tablecloths from this authentic retro fabric.

Cubism Art Movement - Vintage Fabric

If you like the early 20th century Cubism art movement, you'll like this avant-garde Cubism influenced vintage 1960s - 1970s fabric called "Roses Cubism" with blue and green roses at Revival Fabrics.

"Roses Cubism" vintage fabric, in comparison to the second photo, a 1915 Rij-Rousseau portrait, has a striking similarity to the abstract lines of the Cubism art movement. (photo used with permission from Wikimedia Commons).

As with many vintage fabrics, you won't find the original artists name on the selvage of Roses Cubism. But regardless, fine art design on fabric, it's always a gem to find.

Vintage Fabric ~ Friday Favorite

Today we can take off our detective caps.

Most vintage fabrics require a bit of detective work to figure out the era. Tightly woven vintage cotton often "says" 1940s. Metallic gold print keys you into the 1950s. And if you have a mind boggling pink and orange color combination with smiling mushrooms, you know that the fabric probably hails from the groovy 1960s.

Today my favorite find is a vintage 1970s fabric with the actual manufacturer's date printed on the selvage: "1972 Russell Mills, Inc." Mystery solved. In two seconds flat. It's from 1972. wuhuu!

to heck out this vintage retro fabric