Bits and Pieces - Vintage Bark Cloth

I've gone through lots of boxes in recent weeks, and I truly thought I'd been through all these boxes before. Apparently, I'd only given them a cursory glances. With more focused exploring, I have come across a genuine vintage find that I somehow had overlooked.

I have been dreamy-eyed over bark cloth ever since first seeing it made into a zipper bag back in 2018. (here's the post) After understanding what it is and realizing how much a part of my parents' and grandparents' homes it was when I was a child made me very interested in finding some. These fabrics symbolize the warmth of hearth and home for me. Curtains, upholstery, pillows - all the simple comforts.

Bark cloth! It is hot-hot-hot in the collectors' world. Do an Ebay search of bark cloth and see the asking prices on various cuts of this stuff. I see it occasionally in antique malls and the prices are astronomical.

So buried in a box with random other quilting stuff was this gray bit of bark cloth - 2.5 yards and 36" wide. It looks pristine. Never used. I might even recognize it. Maybe this is leftover from a pillow on Grandma's sofa? Or curtains in the family room? Or upholstery on a small chair? Memories from so far back are fuzzy, but I do think I 'know' this fabric. 

You can bet, as I go through any old photos, I will be checking out all the couch cushions! I betcha' I will find this fabric. *wink*

So, this is not the most flamboyant of bark cloths ever produced; it's gray and tame and solidly Midwest farmer's wife style.

And I haven't a clue what I'll do with it. Honest! I could use it, but how? I could sell it, but do I really want to? For now it is back in the box, tucked away in the closet with a few other gems found in Grandma's boxes of sewing goodies.  

Stay tuned for more Bits and Pieces yet to be revealed. I plan to have several more. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne