Grandma's Drapes Are Groovy

a retro inspired cloth from Tonic Living

Barkcloth, the ORIGINAL, finds its "roots" (I'm so corny) in Asia, Africa, Indonesia and the Pacific. Trees such as the Fig and Ficus were commonly stripped of their bark, which was then beaten almost to a pulp, creating a fibrous fabric that can be used for many things, including clothing. 

Ugandan Merchandise

Photo: kathleenrosescollection

Barkcloth, the kind your Grandma had, is a much different animal.  It's a nubbly material made of cotton and usually depicting scenes, "atomic" geometric shapes and boomerangs, or florals of the tropical sort.  It's the kind that made the backs of your legs itch a little.

Photo: lulusvintage

This fabric was very popular from the 1940s to the 1960s.  Here's a magazine ad from that period. Check out the drapes and upholstery.

Photo: retrorenovation

Folly and Glee create the hippest of lampshades from the cloth...

And then there's Etsy.  Plug "Barkcloth" into that search and you'll never want to leave.

Photo: squirrelonaledgetop

A drapery panel of vintage barkcloth can go for hundreds, and as you can see, even cuttings or remnants of the great stuff are valuable.  So next time you see tubs upon tubs of fabrics at a yard sale, take a moment.  You might be glad you did.