Plaids, Checks and Tartans have long be associated with Autumn and Winter, especially in homewares but this year the fashion world went slightly mad for them. Although some designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs have long been associated with the traditional checks, it has become such a big trend that even designers like Versace and Michael Kors created looks featuring a varied selection of the pattern.
LETS START WITH THE 90'S...
As the Spice Girls have got back together it feels like we have gone back to 1998 in areas other than fashion and checks are part of that. Marc Jacobs has long been associated with checked flannel shirts due to his now iconic Perry Ellis collection in 1993 which actually got him fired. The collection was inspired by the Seattle Grunge music scene and the flannel check shirt was a key part of the whole collection. Although he used silk, the look could easily be done with one of our cosy brushed cotton checks.
We have named our Viscose checks after characters from another culturally significant event of the 90’s, Clueless which saw plaids being used in ways that had never been seen before. Especially Cher’s yellow check skirt suit, which is why we just had to have this fabric.
TRADITIONALLY,
If bright yellow isn't quite your thing we have many more traditional colour ways which are perfect as the weather starts getting a lot cooler and days become shorter. Our new brushed cotton checks come from the original Viyella library; giving a lovely heritage look to them. Viyella has long been associated with these patterns since its inception back in 1893. A fun fact about the Viyella which might come in handy for a pub quiz, it was the first branded cloth in the whole world.
HISTORICALLY
We are also super excited about the wool tartans which have just arrived at FG Headquarters, not only do they feel super soft, but the colours are amazing. One of the great things about wool tartan, is that it can be used for many different things across most genres of sewing. For dress making it could make incredible jazzy trousers. But can also be used for curtains or cosy blankets if you wanted to create a classic cottage look especially if teamed with our stag prints.
So really there is a check, plaid or tartan fabric for all occasions!
