Classic Calico

Yellow 1960's Retro Flower Power Cotton Quilt Quar Fabric by MarBethFabricsCrafts
Shop for Quarters Fabrics online at Zazzle.com

      Calico is one of my favorite types of fabric to collect. There are so many colorful designs to choose from to create a variety of wonderful items. The word Calico is derived from Calicut, named for the city where it was first created in the 11th century, Calicut or Kozhikode India. The fabric was 100% cotton woven with simple designs and a few colors. These designs were hand painted or made with wooden block printing methods. This fabric was used to create clothing in India. 

     In the late 15th century the Calicut cloth was exported to England.  This cloth became very popular as it  was made into clothing and household goods of bed coverings. They began referring to the fabric as Calicoes as it became the choice cloth of many women.  By 1700 the British were purchasing import fabric more often than the fabric made in their local mills. This caused Parliament  to pass a law that would not allow the import of Calicoes from India. After the India Calicoes were banned from England, the  woven cotton husk cloth  created in their own country was often called Calico.  Today Calico fabric in England and Australia refers to a solid white color cotton fabric. 

Calico Heavy  Width: 183cm (72")

 Plain weave heavy weight Cotton widely used in general dress making and craftwork.

        In the United States  Calico Fabric  is defined as cotton fabric with a small floral print.  As a sturdy inexpensive fabric, it was  popular for pioneer women to make clothing out of in the 1800's as the country expanded westward.

Pioneer Dress

    During this same time period women often used the Calico fabric to make other items for the home including quilts as seen in this Blazing Star quilt from 1825.

Antique Blazing Star Quilt

      Calico continued to be a popular fabric of choice into the 20th century for clothing and  home decor crafts.  This 1950's style dress is a beautiful example of a brighter larger print calico. 

Gloria Dress

       Calico also continued to be a favorite fabric in quilt making in the 20th century, look at the variety of calico fabrics that were used to create this 1928 Fan Quilt !

1928 Fan Quilt

       In the 1970's calico fabric became popular again in women's fashions with the creation of the Gunne Sax dresses by Jessica McClintock. These dresses included allot of ribbon and lace and were a modern version of the pioneer dress. They were popular for everyday and special occasions such as proms and weddings. 

Gunne Sax Dress 

     Today Calico fabric continues to be a very popular fabric of choice for quilters and other home decor crafts.  New calico fabrics are created every year by fabric designers. Retro style calico fabrics have also been a favorite in resent years. These are great to create historic costumes and vintage style quilts.

1930's Reproduction Fabrics Are Bright And Cheerful 

In This Brick Pattern 37.5" X 45" Quilt

        Technology today now allows you to create your own calico designed fabric here are two places to do this are :

Spoonflowerhttp://www.spoonflower.com/

and

 Zazzle http://www.zazzle.com/custom/fabric

1930's Reproduction Fabric Quilt

Gunne Sax Archive

Gunne_Sax History

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing Through World History 

Calico fabric England

 Calico fabric facts

Calico Fabric History

 Calicut History

Retro Flower Power Cotton Calico Fabric

Bandana Art

Abstract 336 a Pastel Kaleidoscope Bandana by Gingezel
Find other Kaleidoscope Bandana at zazzle.com

Pastel Kaleidoscope Bandana Artwork designed by Gingezel

          Bandana's have been a fashion accessory for over 200 years. The small pieces of square cloth were originally created in India during the 18th century, they were called bandhnu in Hindustani meaning tie dying cloth. The first bandana's were made of silk fabric,  in colors with white patterns where the dye did not adhere to the cloth. 

Bandhani (Indian tie dye) saree fabric

       These beautiful pieces of fabric were exported by the East India Company and became very popular in England. Initially designed to be head or neck scarf , they were redesigned in European countries  and made of  cotton fabrics. The bandana evolved into multiple uses and names as it also became know as a handkerchief and was also  used to dab perspiration and clean the nose. 

Banada Early 20th Century Turkey Red dye process cotton fabric

     The bandana  became a popular item for farmers in Europe  and  the American colonies as women often used them to secure their hair and protect it from the elements.  A new dying technique was discovered in 1789 by the French chemist Claude Louis Berthollet.  By using chlorine, white patterns could be easily created on the Turkey red cloth. Daniel Koechiln-Schouch then discovered that by adding tartaric acid the cloth it would lose the red color and be blue with the same patterned effect. 

      Cowboys in the American West found new uses for bandana's usually worn around their neck, it could be used over the face in a dust storm or to bind a wound. As Hollywood created Western Movies the bandana gained in popularity, they were made of cotton in a variety of colors.

John Wayne The Cowboys 1971

      The bandana found another use during WWII as women began wearing them to keep their hair from getting caught in the machinery in factories  where they worked building aircraft and other items.  This classic style became popular with the Rosie the Riveter posters. 

   

American Rosie Riveter Association

        Bandana's are no longer just a fashion accessory, they can easily be sewn together to make a variety of items including; pillows, tops, pants, skirts, tablecloths and party decorations.  Here is a free pattern for a cute bandana purse to make.  Follow this link for the pattern and directions. 

https://www.plaidonline.com/recycled-purse/2946/project.htm

     Pastel Bananda's  sewn together make  a great table runner for Spring,  the free instructions are available in this  article from Country Living. It also has directions for eight other craft projects to  make using bandana's they include; napkin rings, hanger covers, knotted belt, place setting bundle,  pouch bag, rosette pin, candle cover and picture frames. 

 Follow this link for these fun free bandana crafts 

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/brilliant-bandanna-0707#slide-1

Bandana Crafts

         Two-hundred years later the bandana continues to be a very popular piece of cloth.  Today they come in a variety of designs and colors and are worn by humans and animals.  If one cannot find the right color or design of a bandana you can easily create your own. Zazzle provides an easy template to create your own bandana follow the link here.

 http://www.zazzle.com/create_your_own_bandana-256404334201135430

History of the Western Bandana

Bandana History in Hats and Headwear around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia: A Cultural ... By Beverly Chico

Bandana Turkey Red dye technique

From Bengal to Bandhani to Bandanas: a story about Indian textiles

 Bandana word origion

Paisley Romance

 

Paisley Blue Hearts Western Brown Pillow by Cowgirl_words
Find another Zazzle Pillow

      I  think the reason I have always been drawn to paisley fabric is, that I loved how the paisley  creates two designs. There is the outer pattern of each paisley drop that can vary in size and direction creating a wonderful pattern, and there is the inner design in each drop that draws you further into the design.    

        The distinctive tear drop shaped paisley design can be found in various textiles for apparel and home decor. The drop shaped pattern is over 2000 years old, originating in Persia it was called Boteh meaning bush. The design was thought to represent a cypress tree or floral bloom.  The designs also sometimes represented flames, they could be found on carpets, furniture and carved in stone. 

       These unique designs  were woven into  shawls, made in Kashmir India and became very popular in western countries when they were exported by the East India Company in the 18th century. The pattern was meticulously woven into wool or silk fabrics, it was a slow process  and they struggled to keep up with the demands for these shawls.  By the 17th century other countries began to make  fabrics with these designs. The weavers that could produce fabric with this design the quickest were located in Paisley, Scotland. 

A Kashmiri bota shawl

          The fabric weavers located in Paisley created an attachment for the looms in 1812 that allowed for five colors of yarn to be woven at once.  They were able to create paisley fabric faster and with more detail than other weavers in Europe.  The new word for boteh design became paisley  as women ordered these new style of shawls from the weavers in Paisley, Scotland. 

Paisley Shawl created in Paisley Scotland 1890

   The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century changed the way textiles were made. Woven paisley shawls lost their popularity as fabric printing replaced weaving.  Fabric designs could be printed faster and cheaper than traditional weaving. Today most paisley designed fabrics are made by the printing method. 

       2000 years later the paisley pattern continues to be popular in home decor upholstery and drapery designs.  The paisley pattern is found in a variety of apparel items and accessories including; dresses, jackets, western shirts, ties and bandanas. 

Women's Paisley Print Knit Boat Neck Dress 

Paisley Dress Chadwicks Chadwick's of Boston

     Today with the advancement in digital printers and the technology of computers and the internet anyone can design and print their own paisley designs. Spoonflowerhttp://www.spoonflower.com/and Zazzle http://www.zazzle.com/custom/fabricare two places were you can create your own fabric for yourself or sell it to others.  Here is a paisley design I recently created on Zazzle. 

Close up Cowgirl Dancing Paisley Flowers Fabric

Cowgirl Dancing Paisley Flowers Blue Brown Fabric by Hobbyhawkfabric
Browse Cowgirl paisley Fabrics online at Zazzle.com

Paisley Pattern History

Paisley Museum photos

Paisley Fabric Facts

Botel Paisley history

Paisley Shawl Paisley Scotland 

It Must Be Love

It Must Be Love 1 x 2 inch Dominoes Collage Sheet Clip Art

Instant Download by norvette21 in United States

            The Classic Love Song It Must Be Love was created by Bob McDill in 1979 where, Country Music artist Don Williams was the first to record it. The song was quickly becoming a classic  as it reached the top of the billboard charts in the United States and Canada. Eleven years later  Alan Jackson released his recording  of this song and once again it was a hit in the United States and Canada.  

Alan Jackson - It Must Be Love (Live at Farm Aid 2000)

          Today  thirty-six years later It Must Be Love  continues to be a popular love song. It is often played or sung at wedding receptions and used in creating wedding memory videos.  Here is a great wedding video from 2014 Titled :

Kyle and Whitley Warden Wedding  Video 2014

First I get cold and hot, think I'm on fire but I'm not

Oh, what a pain I've got, it must be love

There's nothing I can do, all that I want is you

Look what I'm going through, it must be love

It must be love, it must be love

I fall like a sparrow and fly like a dove

You must be the dream I been dreaming of

Oh what a feeling, it must be love

It Must Be Love song facts

            It Must be Love Instant Download Art

Love is When You Say Nothing at All

When You Say Nothing at All  Art Collage  by 

Lil Dreamer Creative  

in Denver, Colorado

        The Classic Love Song When You Say Nothing at All  was created by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz in 1988. They thought it was  ok but never thought is would still  be a popular love song  twenty-seven years later.  Keith Whitley loved the song  when he heard it and became the first musical artist to record in 1988. His recording became number one on the country charts. Alison Krauss then recorded 

When You Say Nothing at All  in 1994  as  a tribute to Keith Whitley who had died in 1989. Her recording also went to  number one and remains popular today twenty-five years later as seen in this  video of Alison at the Grand Ole Opry in 2012.

Alison Krauss When You Say Nothing at All  Live at the Grand Ole Opry 2012

           When You Say Nothing at all remains a powerful and popular song today, where it is sung by choirs and musical artists in competions.  It  is a favorite song for weddings, sung in the ceremony or the reception.  This love song is often used to create wedding video memories.  It is a favorite of couples to sing too each other at weddings as seen in this video titled:

Groom Sings To The Bride On Their Wedding Day

Daniel Bulbeck sings to his bride Nicola on June 30th 2012 on their Wedding Day, Hampshire, United Kingdom

When You Say Nothing at All Songfacts

When You Say Nothing at All History

When You Say Nothing at All Art Work

Love Me Tender

Love me Tender, Love me Sweet, Never let me go-

 Elvis Presley Subway art print 

Designed by  Art by Sara in San Jose, California

              The Classic Love Song  Love Me Tender  first appeared to be  created by Vera Matson, however it was  really created by her husband Ken Darby.  In 1956 he was  the music director for the  movie  Love Me Tender in which Elvis Presley was the star.  Darby needed a theme song for the movie, so he decided to use the music of the civil war ballad  Aura Lee  that  had been created by George R Poulton in 1861.  Presley assisted  in writing the lyrics for this new  song  that was given the same title as the movie Love Me Tender. 

Frances Farmer sings  Aura Lee in this 1936 movie  Come and Get It

           The song Love Me Tender was very popular as it hit the top of the billboard charts and remained there for five weeks.  Since the original recording it has been  recorded by many well known artists through the years including; B.B. King, Nat King Cole, Julie Andrews , Johnny Cash,  Ricky Nelson, Barry Manilow, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson  and Andrea Bocelli.

Elvis Presley Love Me Tender in the 1956 movie Love Me Tender

            Whether  it is the lyrics or the tune, Love Me Tender  has continued to be a favorite love song during the past fifty-nine years, with a melody that is over a hundred and fifty years old.  The song is a favorite for new artists to sing in competitions, and is often sung by choirs world wide.  Couples enjoy singing this love song  to each other on their wedding days. Love Me Tender  is also a chosen song for  preserving  memories in wedding videos, as seen in this wonderful video of  a Russian bride from 2013. 

Love Me Tender (our wedding day)   Валентина Керцова

Love Me Tender Art

Love Me Tender Song Facts

The Story Behind Love Me Tender

Feel the Love

Can You Feel The Love Tonight Necklace by

Till The Last Petal Falls in Bay Shore, New York

            The Classic  Love Song Can You Feel the Love Tonight was created by Elton John and Tim Rice in 1994 for the Disney movie  Lion King.  The song was performed by Kristle Edwards, Joseph Williams, Sally Dwoksky, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella and Elton John in the movie. Winning the 1994 Academy Award for Best Original Song  it became a popular world wide.  In the past twenty years  there have been many new recordings of  Can You Feel the Love Tonight as it has continued to be a favorite love song.  This video of Elton John  shows how popular the song was in 2000.

Elton John  Can You Feel the Love Tonight 2000, live in Madison Square Garden.

                Can You Feel the Love Tonight was created as a love song between two lions, however in resent years it has become a favorite of human lovers.  It is a favorite for the wedding ceremony,  sung or played instrumentally and is often  chosen for special dances at the reception. The song takes on special meaning also when it is used as a theme in creating  lasting memories  in  wedding video trailers.   Here are two wonderful wedding video's that show the impact this song continues to have today world wide. 

Susan and Noel's Wedding  2014 Edinbergh United Kingdom

Hai & Phuong Wedding Highlight 2014

 Tea ceremony held at the couple's residences  

There's a calm surrender to the rush of day

When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away

An enchanted moment, and it sees me through

It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you

And can you feel the love tonight?

It is where we are

It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

That we got this far

And can you feel the love tonight?

How it's laid to rest

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

Believe the very best

Can You Feel the Love Tonight Song Facts

Can You Feel The Love Tonight Necklace

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Created by  Art Under Glass in Huson, Montana

           The Classic Love song   Crazy Little Thing Called Love  was created by Freddie Mercury in 1979.     The song was written as a tribute to Elvis Presley and was completed in ten minutes.  He  recorded the song in 1980 with the music group Queen, and it became an immediate hit world wide. The song was the groups first number one single. In the past thirty five years   Crazy Little Thing Called Love  has been recorded by a variety of musical artists including; Dwight Yoakam, Juice Newton, Michael Buble', Diana Ross,  and American Idol contestants. 

               Queen  created this music video of  Crazy Little Thing Called Love  in 1979.               

                   

            In recent years Crazy Little Thing Called Love has become a favorite song  to dance to at wedding receptions. It is also the theme song for Wedding Trailer videos.  Here are  a few of the  many  ways that this classic love song is part of special memories. 

Tell Me Yes - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Wedding Party May 2014

Our First Dance - Crazy Little Thing Called Love August 2008 Jeff and Teresa Eagan

Valentines Day Hearts Mouspad Mouse Pads by lillyarts
Check out more mouse pad.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love Songfacts

Crazy in Love Pendant

Hallelujah Love

Happily Ever After Coaster by ShrekStore
View other Shrek Cork Coasters at Zazzle.com

           The biblical word Hallelujah is a term meaning To Praise God, it is derived from  14th century Hebrew. The word is found twenty four times in the Hebrew Bible most of them in the Book of Psalms, and four times in the Christian Book of Revelations.   The word Hallelujah is often spoken by clergy and their congregations.  A variety of music has been written over the years  where the word is often sung giving it more meaning. 

        Thirty years ago  Leonard Cohen  created his musical version of  Hallelujah,  he spent  five years composing  the music and  had written eighty different verses before his first recording. The music is a  mix of gospel  and waltz with the original lyrics based on stories from the Bible. These Bible references included Sampson and Delilah from the Book of Judges and King David.  In his own words he explains the meaning of this now classic love song in a interview from 2012. 

"This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled," 

 "But there are moments when we can ... reconcile and embrace the whole mess, 

and that's what I mean by 'Hallelujah.'"

Leonard Cohen performs Hallelujah 2009 Live 

           The first  recording of  Hallelujah had little success, and it was not played much in the United States.  John Cale recorded the song in 1991, it was  then chosen for the movie Shrek in 2001.  Since his original recording in 1984 there have been over a hundred versions of the song performed or recorded.  Hallelujah has also become a popular song for weddings as seen in this 2014 video of  Chris and Leah O'Kane's wedding  where Father Ray Kelly wrote the lyrics and performed the song for the couple. 

Hallelujah turns 30

Everybody's Hallelujah

Hallelujah song facts

Hallelujah definition 

Colour of My Love

          The Classic Love Song  The Colour of My Love  was written by David Foster  and Arthur Janov  for David wedding to Linda  Thompson in 1991. The song was very popular from the very beginning as many well known artists asked to record it, in the end Celine Dion was chosen to record it.  She also gave her album the same name The Colour of My Love   that was released with the song of the same name in November of 1983.  On the same day of the album release Celine announced she was going to marry Rene Angelil.  She tells how she sang this for their wedding also in this video from 1994

Celine Dion - The Colour Of My Love (Live on David Foster Special 1994)

  The love song has remained  very popular during the past twenty years.  It is often a part of wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Colour of My Love  part of many Wedding video and trailers of that special day. This video titled: The Perfect Wedding Song Celine Dion The Colour of My Love was created in 2011 by Aaron Lyman for his wife Eileen. 

       

I'll paint my mood in shades of blue 

Paint my soul to be with you 

I'll sketch your lips in shaded tones 

Draw your mouth to my own 

I'll draw your arms around my waist 

Then all doubt I shall erase 

I'll paint the rain that softly lands on your wind-blown hair 

I'll trace a hand to wipe out your tears 

A look to calm your fears 

A silhouette of dark and light 

While we hold each other oh so tight 

I'll paint a sun to warm your heart 

Swearing that we'll never part 

That's the colour of my love 

I'll paint the truth 

Show how I feel 

Try to make you completely real 

I'll use a brush so light and fine 

To draw you close and make you mine

The Colour of My Love Lyrics

The Colour of My Love song facts

Color Meaning for Weddings

Love Becomes The Rose

  

Red roses heart by healing love print by healinglove
Browse Red Posters

          The Classic Love Song  The Rose  was created by Amanda McBroom in 1977.  The song came together quickly as she drove on the LA freeway and thought about what is love.  She put her thoughts into words  with a tune on the piano and within minutes  The Rose was born. Amanda was the first one to record the song and she also sang it at night clubs.  A year later the movie The Rose  was in production,  her song was considered for the title song however the producers thought it was too slow.  Bette Midler , the star of the movie heard the song and loved it, and the rest is history. 

Amanda McBroom performs "The Rose" at the Cafe Carlyle 2013

            The Rose  has been recorded by several musical artists from around the world since 1978 including; Conway Twitty, Westlife, The Dubliners, Mudhoney,Ayahi Takagaki, Joan Baez and LeAnn Rimes. Today it continues to be a number one choice to be played or sung at weddings.  This classic song is also performed  as a favorite for school and gospel choirs.  Here is  the Grafton High School - Women's Chorus of Ending Yorktown VA performing The Rose  on May 5, 2014.

.

The Rose Songfacts

The Story of the Rose Amanda McBroom

It's Your Love

Artwork by AsqueStudio  

in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

               The Classic Love song  It's Your Love  was created by Stephony  Smith in 1996.  She wrote the song as a reflection of her own new love experience  and then recorded the demo herself.   When  Tim McGraw heard the song he decided to record  with his wife  Faith Hill  for his new album that was released in 1997.  The song became a popular hit climbing to number one on the billboard charts in  five weeks and  stayed there for  six weeks.  The music video also won Video of the year in 1997. 

              Stephony Smith talks about this wonderful love song  in this interview with Bart Herbinson by the Tenneesean in 2013. She performs the song as she originally did for the demo recording in 1996.

 Tennessean interview Stephony Smith

        The award winning 1997 video of 

 It's Your Love  was created when Faith Hill was pregnant with their first child Gracie.

            Today It's Your Love  is performed for weddings and often for couples who are renewing their vows.  It is also choosen  for their wedding videos, this  one is titled Meg & Cody Wedding Highlight Film  

October 25, 2014

Fair Weather Farms | Monroe, GA

           

Meg & Cody | Wedding Highlight Film from Chil Studios on Vimeo.

  

Tennessean interview Stephony Smith

Its your love artwork 

Its your love song facts

The Power of Love

         The Classic Love Song,  The Power of  Love was created and originally recorded by Jennifer Rush in 1984.  She wrote the song along with Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge and Mary Susan Applegate it was first released as a single in Germany.   When it was then released in the United Kingdom in 1985 it became an instant hit  song. It was on top of the charts for several weeks and became the  best selling single for that year.  Jennifer Rush's recording continued to be very popular in  countries around the world through 1986.  As of 2013 this recording of the song has sold 1.4 million copies in the United Kingdom. 

Jennifer Rush The Power of Love 1985

             Over the years this powerful song has been recorded by many musical artists including: Laura Branigan, The Shadows, David Alexander, Mark Bautista, Michael Crawfor, Engelbert Humperdinck, Andrea Bocelli, and Mary Duff.  In 1993  Celine Dion's recording of The Power of  Love  was released in North America,  it went to the top of the charts quickly were it stayed for several weeks.  This was Celine's first  number one single in the United States. Once again this recording became popular world wide,  to date it has sold over 1.5 million copies in the United States. 

Celine Dion The Power of Love   Boston Live 2008

The whispers in the morning

Of lovers sleeping tight

Are rolling by like thunder now

As I look in your eyes

I hold on to your body

And feel each move you make

Your voice is warm and tender

A love that I could not forsake

'Cause I am your lady

And you are my man

Whenever you reach for me

I'll do all that I can

            Twenty Years later The Power of Love continues to be a very powerful and popular love song for weddings. It is often  included in the ceremonies, receptions and  is the music for wedding videos . 

 This  video created by Liudmila Usenko in August 2012 is  titled;

Wedding Video with The Power of Love recording by Celine Dion.  

The Power of Love Jennifer Rush

The Power of Love Song Facts