Reproduction fabrics bring the prints and colors of the past into today’s quilts. Designers study antique textiles and recreate them for modern quilters.
What Is Reproduction Fabric?
Reproduction fabric (or “repro”) is new fabric designed to replicate the look of historical textiles. Manufacturers who specialize in it often base their designs on real fabrics from the era.
Civil War Reproduction Fabrics
The Civil War spanned 1861 to 1865, and fabric played an essential role in daily life, from clothing to the quilts that kept people warm. Fabrics of the time were simple but striking.
- Muted, earthy colors: browns, grays, blues and reds, derived from natural dyes such as indigo, madder and walnut.
- Small-scale prints: tiny florals, vines, stars, dots, stripes and plaids.
Read more in Fall in Love With Civil War Reproduction Fabric.
These modern reproduction and traditional-print collections offer creams, earthy browns, blues and warm accents for an old-fashioned quilt. They are style inspiration rather than certified replicas of a specific Civil War-era textile. Click a photo or its caption to shop the pictured fabric.
1930s Reproduction Fabrics
The 1930s were known for pastels. Manufacturers discovered they could thin their dye to make it last longer, and the public loved the lighter colors. Today’s 1930s reproductions recreate those tones, with some deeper reds, greens and blues thrown in. The prints are charming, from puppy dogs and flowers to polka dots and kites. If you love the colors but not all the prints, solids in the same shades make great sashing, borders and binding. Read If You Love Retro, You’ll Love 1930’s Reproduction Fabrics.
Pastel florals, tiny flowers and playful bunnies bring the 1930s-inspired look to new fabric. Click a photo or its caption to shop the pictured fabric.
Feed Sack Fabric
In the 1930s, much of the fabric used for quilts and clothing came from feed sacks rather than from a bolt. The colors and prints on those sacks were part of why 1930s fabrics are so beloved. See our feed sack quilt feature, and look for 1930s reproduction prints if you want the feed sack look in new fabric.
For finished-quilt inspiration, enjoy this floral patchwork close-up and Kyle LoCascio’s family quilt. Kyle’s quilt includes vintage feed-sack fabrics along with some later scraps. Click a photo or its caption to read its story or fabric guide.
Quilt Patterns for Reproduction Fabrics
Simple patterns let the prints shine. Log Cabin, Nine Patch, scrappy blocks and sampler quilts are all lovely with repro prints. Jelly rolls, charm packs and fat quarter bundles are an easy way to get a collection of coordinating prints.
Quick Comparison
| Civil War | 1930s | |
|---|---|---|
| Palette | Muted browns, grays, blues, reds | Pastels plus some deeper reds, greens, blues |
| Prints | Small florals, stripes, plaids, geometrics | Novelty prints, florals, dots |
| Mood | Earthy and traditional | Cheerful and retro |
Shop reproduction fabrics at Missouri Star. Do you have a favorite era? Tell us in the comments!
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