Collecting: Vintage Tablecloths

As our wacky tacky signature t-shirt states, "We dig old stuff" - particularly old stuff that is attractive and has a history of use.  It only makes sense then that I have an affinity for vintage tablecloths.  I love the colors, the prints, and even the spots/stains that chronicle the life of each piece.

We are one of those weird families that views a bare table as an abomination - a missed opportunity if ever there was one; our dining room table is perpetually set for a dinner party that has yet to happen.  We grew up entertaining often but rarely sat down to a formal dinner around the dining table.  That tradition carried with me wherever I moved, including my first, tiny, studio apartment (on the second floor of an 1879 farmhouse).

Not too thrilling or too wacky tacky, but proof that
even when you live alone, it's still a party of four.

As the tablescape changes often, it is nice to have a stock of supplies to give the table a quick wacky tacky makeover.  The quickest way to a brand new table comes from my modest collection of vintage tablecloths.  I am always reticent to post my collections because I lack an expert's knowledge on any subject; I become all kinds of self-conscious knowing that there are people out there with real collections that could easily put mine to shame.  Anxiety aside, here are my tablecloths.

PATRIOTIC

Although they don't subscribe to traditional themes like flags, eagles, and fireworks, the generally-patriotic color scheme of these cloths makes them ideal for use during the Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's Day and pretty much any day in between.

MEXICAN

These border prints probably border on the politically incorrect but I love them.  Living so close to the gateway between our two countries, I'm surprised I haven't found more of these out in the wild.

Orange, brown, and green - a wacky tacky

color combo if ever there was one.

FLORAL

These two are printed on crisp, Irish linen.

Among the floral bouquets, the cloth on the right has a little nest full of robin's eggs.

Can you spot it?

TROPICAL/EXOTIC

These cloths get a lot of use during the summer months.  While it is hard to choose a favorite, this blue and orange, tropical tablecloth that I picked at a shop not too far from the Cabazon Dinosaurs, really makes me happy.  I think my next hypothetical business will be textile design and printing based on vintage examples.

The cactus print on the right has definitely seen better days but I really

 love the washed-out overprinting and brushstroke cactus flowers.

If you've been following us for a while, you
might recognize this one (another favorite).

We used it to set a tiki-style table for our
 Pineapple Upside Down Meatloaf. 

HOLIDAY

It seems Christmas cloths are the hardest to find because they are so collectible (read: expensive).  If you don't know by now, I only buy things on the CHEAP, so it seems my options are limited to the occasional swap meet score or hand-me-down.

The floral number might not be a "Christmas" print but the red and 

green (set off by chartreuse) certainly puts me in the holiday mood.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oh sure, the printed cloths are my favorite but I won't shy away from a hand-embroidered or cross-stitched example of tabletop finery.  It seems weird but I like seeing the blue lines of the iron-transfer pattern behind the stitching; it makes me think of the person threading the embroidery floss through her needle and the hours and hours of work she had ahead of her.  Oh, and how I would never have the patience or attention span to accomplish so time-consuming and labor-intensive.

So how do you dress your table?  Do you collect vintage tablecloths, place settings, or dinnerware?  Are you focused on a certain style?  I am not at all persnickety when it comes to focused collecting or caring too much about certain styles, values, etc.  I just buy what is inexpensive because to borrow a phrase from our pals at My Baby Jo, "A table's gotta have options."

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! Mary-mekko

My parents did a good job with our names (Mr. Tiny seems like a bit of an unconventional choice but when you see a beatific, little, infant male, "Mr. Tiny" starts making a whole lot of sense).  Mary in particular works with so many puns, plays-on-words, rhyming couplets, etc.  Not only that, but how many songs are written for and about "Mary" - answer, like a million.

"Mary's A Grand Old Name" - Tom Burke

"Mary, Mary" - The Monkees

"Mary, Mary" Run DMC

Along the way in my highly-sordid and meandering career path, I worked for a large retailer that had a unique relationship with the Finnish fabric manufacturer, Marimekko.  For those unfamiliar with the company, Marimekko was founded in 1949 as a maker of oilcloth.  The company switched gears rather quickly and really took off when the fabric designs (heavily influenced by a mid-century Scandinavian aesthetic) were printed on sturdy cotton and turned into a small line of dresses and skirts.

A sample of early Marimekko apparel from the book,
Marimekko, by Marianne Aav
(Source)

Designer, Maija Isola's  Unikko by Marimekko
This iconic floral is probably their most
 well-known (and imitated) design.

Marimekko's international popularity blossomed in the 1960's when their oversized, mod patterns

became part of the American domestic landscape with table linens, dishes, decorator fabric, clothing, and even toys.

I love this one!

 Other Marimekko prints

(Source)

I guess that all of this information is the most circuitous and roundabout method of telling you about "Mary-mekko," the Marimekko outfit I made for Mary.  Last weekend we took part in a top secret mission that "required" a new outfit for Mary.  All I can say is that there was a VERY loose theme - 50's, tiki, pool party.

Once upon a time, when I worked for the aforementioned
retailer, we used my favorite of all Marimekko prints,
1960's "Tulipunainen" by designer, Maija Isola.
  This fabric was printed in many colorways, and when
it became available for employee purchase,
I bought yards and yards and yards of each color. 

To be perfectly forthright, I have never used purple much in my designs; it is one color that just doesn't appeal to me as much as the rest of the spectrum.  Thusly, this particular length of material had languished at the bottom of my fabric hoardings for many years.  The tonal purples (none of them a rich, bright purple) and the awesome print, however, made this material a definite winner in my book.  Moreover, I knew (in the sick way that hoarders are always able rationalize their behavior) that this fabric would one day come in handy and make the perfect outfit.

   

Inspired by a top that was recently made by my friend
 Lauren at Wearing History, another pattern that I altered to
make her a top for VLV, and the very brief period
of time I was alloted to accomplish this project
(about 5 hours), this is the "Finnish-ed" product -
a ruffled, crop top and a gathered skirt.

I had to laugh at the outcome because I made it out of Scandinavian fabric designed in the 60's, for a 50's-themed Polynesian party, and the result was a little Mexican folky. Unlike the rest of the clothes I make for her, this one was actually pretty quick and simple (as they relate to my middling ability to sew) and she swore that she'd actually wear it again!

Unfortunately, we were in a rush on the day of the secret mission,
and I wasn't sure if cameras were allowed, so I didn't get pictures
of her outfit until long after dark at which time it had become
apparent that my jokes had lost all of their potency.
This is the face of low tolerance.

She carried a large, vintage rattan basket purse that I threw
a fabric medallion/flower adornment on right before we walked
out the door.

Not knowing whether she should say, "Hei,""Aloha," or "Buenos Dias,"
Mary added a hothouse full of orchids to her hair and loaded her arms down
with all of her bamboo bangles to up the tiki ante.  Would you believe
that her bamboo earrings were crafted that morning out of napkin rings?
  Well, believe it!

When the time comes, I'll be able to show & tell a little bit more about our secret mission.  Until then, Mahalo from wacky tacky!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

We Dig Old Stuff

So my brother is a talented artist, graphic designer, screen printer, musician and world-class wise a**!  His screen print shop Tugboat Studios is the place for all of your shirt, poster and design needs.  We have been brainstorming/collaborating on some design ideas and this is what he came up with (I hate ending sentences with a preposition but sometimes it sounds pretentious to write properly).  A blog post about his shop will be forthcoming but until then here is what may be wacky tacky's first t-shirt!

For a full explanation on the techniques used to draw/paint the dinosaur, you would have to talk to him.  It is probably not a good idea to contact him, however, because he'll probably be mad that I posted this "rough draft" - he has acute perfectionist tendencies.  I LOVE the way it has the vibe of an old, roadside souvenir shirt.  Needless to say, one of our biggest influences growing up and continuing into adulthood is Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.  We were lucky to have grandparents who lived in Banning, CA which is just a short ride from Cabazon (where the dinosaurs live) so we were able to see them quite often.

Pee-Wee at the Cabazon Dinosaurs

I couldn't find the clip I wanted, so here is the trailer!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny