Photo used with permission from Michael Miller, with thanks to Ruth Stone Berg, second cousin of Tammis Keefe, who supplied the beautiful photograph of Tammis Keefe.
Already, one of the most important mid century product news announcements of the year: Fabric designer Michael Miller is reissuing a whole host of vintage Tammis Keefe fabric designs, with the first wave coming into stores right now. Tammis Keefe was one of the most prolific textile designers during the heart of the baby boom years. Take a look at her vintage handkerchief and tea towel designs on ebay and etsy, and you will see right away what an amazing and spirited talent she was. I had a wonderful conversation last week with Christine Osmers from the Michael Miller team, and she explained that 15 designs should be arriving in stores right about now. They include:
Tammis Dogs — in gray…
…and in red.
Tammis Cats — in gray…
… and yes, in red.
“Hoot” comes in blue…
as well as red…
Unruly Reindeer…
Later Alligator…
Cage Free … and a number of coordinating prints — like dalmation spots to go with the dog prints.
In addition to these 15 prints, Michael Miller has just started promoting four additional prints to retail locations. You won’t be able to get these designs at stores for another few months. They will include:
Out to Lunch (a cotton/linen blend)…
Contented Cats (a cotton/linen blend)…
Snow dots …
And Tammis Keefe angels, in red, or green.
So now that I have calmly laid these designs out in front of you … OH MY GOSH, this is SO EXCITING. I have been a fan of Tammis Keefe for quite a while now. I first came upon her designs when I began a love affair with Tammis Keefe vintage tea towels and handkerchiefs on ebay*. As I mentioned above, she was an incredibly prolific and popular textiles designer from around 1948 to 1960. She also designed under the name Peg Thomas. While Vintage Vera — Vera Neumann — seems to be a big name today — it looks to me like Tammis Keefe was every bit her equal in terms of design skills. Different. But equal. Amazing women, both.
Very sadly, Tammis Keefe died at age 46, of cancer. Very graciously, Michael Miller is donating all royalty equivalents to cancer research. What a spirit this woman had. I would loved to have met her.
Note, these fabrics are all what’s called “cotton shirting” — 100% cotton, except for the two linen/cotton designs indicated. This material is pretty lightweight — targeted in particular at quilters, and it is 44″ wide. (I have not seen it personally, but I think I understand the “weight”, from my sewing experience.) For Retro Renovators, I think that appropriate usages could include: Cafe curtains and valences — line them, maybe. I think you could also piece together some fabulous shower curtains… make aprons… sew your own placemats and kitchen towels… even lightweight clothing. Oh, and quilts, of course. I think I might have to take that up.
You can find the fabric in specialty quilt shops (but not places like Jo-Anns). Christine also says that you can find it online. Update: Readers are reporting you can find this fabric on ebay* and on etsy. Pricing there looks to be about $8.50/yard. *Disclosure: I am an ebay affiliate – I get a teensy spiff from anything you buy there when you click through via my site.
Important links:
- Tammis Keefe fabric line reissued from Michael Miller. (They are a wholesaler.)
- Michael Miller blog posting – Tribute to Tammis Keefe.
ooooooooooooh. I want one of each.
They could be incorporated into throw pillows probably, too. Aprons would be cute.
Woo to the hoo! We’re in the final stages of a retro/mod re-do (un-do?) of the kitchen in our 1946 cape code and have been searching like mad for the right fabric for cafe curtains. I painted the cabinets aqua and our main accent color is red, so there are at least a couple possibilities among the new releases.
That’s what I meant to say: Woo to the hoo!
Could make some cute blouses and dresses, too. Too, too cute.
Michael Miller fabric is amazing to begin with, this release makes him my hero. I forsee some cafe curtains or pillow covers in my future!
His fabric can be found online at http://www.equilter.com as well.
Thanks, Stacy, for the vote of confidence on the fabrics in general. I am not a quilter so am not familiar with this market…
I posted that before my coffee. To expand, yes M. Miller fabrics are quality cottons. I’ve used them to quilt, make tablecloths, pillow shams, purses, etc. He has always created retro-50′s themed fabrics and it’s funny because I was looking the other night and found that he’s created some great 60′s themed designs like “modern home” and “modern family” complete with eames furniture etc.
The Tammis Keefe line has already hit equilter.com -> anyone can just type in Tammis Keefe on their search bar and 5 of the patterns are available.
OMG! Awesome! I have been wanting the cat and kitten print for forever. Way to go Michael Miller, and way to report Pam!
thank you, retro ruth!
Totally wonderful! Can’t wait to ge my hands on some.
These prints would make great duvet covers–washable, not too weighty. A great alternative to the princess and Transformer stuff available for kids, and a great way to bring a little stylish whimsy into an adult bedroom.
Oh–and tablecloths!
Great ideas!
yesssssssss! a flickr friend hipped me to this last week and i’m still picking my jaw up off the floor. SO EXCITING! must get my hands on that birdcage print NOW and cannot cannot WAIT for those contented cats to be released! i see new kitchen curtain making in my near future
thanks for sharing this great news!!!
I have to admit, those contented cats are purring at me… luv the harvest gold, too! Oh, and welcome, FreckleWonder, it’s about time you started commenting!
tee hee! thanks for the welcome– happy to join this party!
Those are gorgeous!
YOU are today’s Tammis Keefe, Jenn Ski!
The name “Peg Thomas” sounds so familiar. Did Tammis ever illustrate cookbooks?
These prints are beyond wonderful.
Great fabric designs!! I especially love the Cats and Dogs prints! Thanks Pam, for sharing!!!
My Mom had the green “dish towel” with x-mas tree….I inherited and use it every Christmas!!! I knew this woman’s art, but had no idea who she was! Now I do! Thanks!
It’s so nice to see Tammis Keefe get this renewed visibility. Those Christmas towels are GORGEOUS!
Funny – I was just looking at this collection on Michael Miller last night. The crocodiles would be perfect for a pink bathroom!
Oh! I have a contented cats tea towel somewhere. I never paid attention to an artist name but I’ll have to dig it out and look. I love the unruly reindeer!
You can use fabric like this as “wall paper” – affix with starch. It’s not as permanent as wall paper and good for renters or those of us who change our minds!
Please Explain attaching fabric to the wall with starch. This is just what I need. Thanks
Allen, this is not a DIY site… but if Laura wants to respond, that’s okay. Note: I always advise to consult with pro’s – and if this one involves any sanding that would include: getting your paint tested for lead and taking the proper environmental and safety steps….
This is an easy DIY for those of use who don’t use power tools. If you google “fabric as wall paper” lot’s of versions of this project pop up. There are some clear directions here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/how-to/how-to-make-removable-fabric-wallpaper-074483 Good luck!
CUTIE!
And so cool of Michael Miller to donate proceeds to cancer.
A quilt of several of them together would be SOOO CUTE!
yup, i gotta find me a quiltmaker!
Can you say SCRUBS?
Gavin will be very busy at the machine making millions of nurses very happy.
Scrubs! Brilliant! Make me some too and I’ll wear ‘em for pj’s okay? pretty please with sugar on top!
I figured you as a 60′s peignoir girl.
I live in western Massachusetts. I am a Smart Wool girl.
Men: I want you to get it OUT OF YOUR HEAD right now that I am any flavor of dream girl. I assure you, and I am not kidding here, I drive my Dear Husband insane with my crap on a daily basis, hourly or more often than that on the weekends.
As if I didn’t have enough fabric. Now I have to go buy more
‘enough’ – I’m not familiar with that concept…
Oooo…fun cotton prints – nothing better! If I don’t have a ‘project’ I can use them for they become pillowcases. Fun for sleepovers or when I go to bed grumpy.
WOW. Thanks Pam for sharing this news. Sewing is my #1 hobby (and etsy business) so I will definitely be buying some of these designs!
be sure to let me know when you have new tammis keefe designs for sale, karen!
So fun! I think I’m definitely going to have to get some of that birdcage fabric. And I must make some throw pillows out of Unruly Reindeer before next Christmas. =D
I found 4 of these designs ~ “Cage Free”, “Later Alligator”, & “Hoot” (blue) at http://www.emeraldcityfabrics.com and http://www.fabricworm.com. I ordered several yards of each. Haven’t found the Tammis Dogs or Cats designs yet ~ desperately want these in pink & grey!
Thanks for the reports from the frontlines of searching, you all!
there’s a good selection on etsy now too! search by supplies, then tammis keefe!
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=tammis+keefe&search_type=supplies
Love, love love those little owls!
*supersonic shriek* WOW, I LOVE these!!! Especially “Later Alligator” and all of the bird prints!
Shirting makes beautiful shirts and dresses, as someone else noted. I also doubt it’ll take long for someone to make a pet bed with these (pricey as they’re likely to be—at least for me, my apparel sewing skills are not so good I want to spend $10 a yard yet!). I also think these might make a fun lining for apparel items…bit of a surprise on the inside.
IIRC, Fabric.com sells Michael Miller fabrics (SUCH cute prints, all of them…), so more likely than not these will be showing up there, too; they have good sales on a regular basis, so it’s another place to watch!
In fact, I just looked…”Cage Free” and “Unruly Reindeer” are there right now. I’ll bet the rest are on their way!
yes: *supersonic shriek*
Love, love, love Tammis Keefe!
And this is why I love RR, from here I find all the things I can order to get in Australia. If not I can drool over it one the screen.
I found Michael Miller about a month ago on ebay. since then I’ve bought Mrs. Perfect and another I can’t remember the name of. Also found the dick and jane panels on line. It’s ALL out there now. eBay has some. I want Betty Bakes next.
https://www.fabricsfromtheheart.com/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=867
These are AWESOME!!! Thanks for the heads up!
Wow, I have a never-used “Contented Cats” dishcloth but had no idea is was someone famous! Thanks for schooling me… I’m never going to use it and treasure it now!
Pam, these fabrics are absolutely charming, and thanks so much for sharing information about the life of Tammis Keefe. Her spirit shines in her patterns and would bring a bit more joy to any room. I’m sure to find a place for pillows or maybe some valances in the kitchen in my little cottage. You’re my go-to source!
What wonderful news! I’ve been a Tammis Keefe collector for about 15 years. So glad to see her designs reintroduced — and with such a great response!