How Vera Neumann's Scarves Came To Be

In the early 1940s shortly after they married, Vera Neumann's husband George encouraged her to transfer her artwork to fabric with the idea of using the fabric for home decor.  Together they built their first silk screen that was so small it fit on the top of their dining room table.  This led to the launching of a small printing company which they named Printex.  Table napkins and placemats were small items that were easily produced on the small silk screen.  Since they transferred the designs from Vera's original paintings with her signature on them, that's how her signed textiles began.

The war effort dried up easy access to the linen and cotton fabric that they used and during one of Vera's searches, she found excess parachute silk in an Army surplus store.  This parachute silk became her new canvas and her silk scarf business was born.  Once again her signed artwork was used for the scarf designs and this was the beginning of the 'signature' scarf.

Her first scarf was sold to Lord & Taylor in 1947.  The first designs were simple and monochromatic.  Many of the scarves featured allover designs of a single object.  One of Vera's favorite motifs was botanicals; leaves, ferns, and other flora that captivated her imagination as a child.

Her earliest scarves were also smaller, almost handkerchief sized, than her later scarves as they were still using a small screen print.

Having a love for estate sales, I've managed to collect several of her earlier scarves.  The green scarf with the leaf design is one of her earliest, I believe, which may date from the late 40s to early 50s.  The scarf doesn't have the handrolled hem that her Japanese scarves do.  Instead the fabric has stitching almost like a satin stitch around the edges of the scarf.  The attached tag also says the scarf is designed and handscreened in USA.  

No matter what the subject matter, I love Vera scarves!  I'm happy that they're still easy to find...and collect.

  

Snoozing On Vintage Sheets

My favorite sections in a thrift store are lingerie, clothing, accessories, and linens.  There's nothing more exciting than finding a Vera scarf, tea towel, or sheet.  I like to work on 'categories' and have just washed my current collection of vintage linens.  I'll be working on getting them in my shop, but thought you might like to take a first peek!

Fieldcrest Perfection:  love the orange, yellow, and green florals in this 1970s twin sheet.  The yellow polka dot border adds a great touch.

Mohawk percale:  I'm a big fan of the classic pink, white, and green color combination of Lilly Pulitzer and love the watercolor prints of Vera Neumann.  Although this isn't a designer sheet, I love the daisy pattern in this color combo.  Wouldn't this be darling in a little girl's bedroom?

Whenever I find Vera linens, it's a good day!  This set of vintage Vera for Burlington pillowcases is all abloom with springtime crocuses (croci?)

Love, love, love the pink on blue color combination on this vintage Marimekko by Dan River sheet.  I found an entire double set, but alas, the elastic in the fitted sheet has seen its better days.  Why did I never learn to sew?

This Walt Disney sheet has certainly been well-loved, but has some life left in it!  It's covered in scenes of Dumbo at the circus, circus animals, and a friendly train.

Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and Charley Brown!  Need I say more?

I can't tell you how much fun I've had collecting these linens.  But if you love vintage as much as I do, I'm sure you know!

Vera With the Ladybug

It started with that tv show about hoarders. You know the one. It makes you take a long look at yourself and you snort and feel all superior and you declare......"No! I couldn't possibly be tha-a-a-a-t. I'm a collector. Big diff." Ummmm yeah. Sure.

One thing led to another; another led me to the garage. Cliff Notes version of the story: 6 boxes of books went to a favorite thrift store. Six shopping bags of clothing went to Salvation Army. I'm reeeeeally feeling superior now! It always helps to make room for the stuff that will inevitably be dragged home.

When I dropped the books off, I felt guilty about dropping and running, so I felt I should be polite and browse. Which I did. In the bottom basket at the end of the men's pants row are the scarves. And there was my latest Vera scarf. It's polyester, but the condition is terrific and the pattern's groovy. I love the color combination of pink and olive. The paisley pattern is classic and can never go out of style. It feels so rich and has a beautifil drape. I haven't taken the time to date it, but I wanted to share!