Yup: Corelle. The company knows a rockin’ retro opportunity when it sees one, and recently introduced a new pattern — True Blue — based on its popular 1972 design Old Town Blue. To come up with the new design — carefully researched among several other options — Corelle reversed the original Old Town Pattern (positive became negative), tweaked the scale, and chose a fresh new color. We love the entire project! Yay for 1972! Props to reader Laura, who tipped us to this reissue.
The story of Corelle Old Time Blue
We reached out to Corelle’s PR department and connected with Lindsay Rigg, who supplied the vintage advertisements of Old Town Blue as well as the following info:
We are really excited about this pattern and how we were able to take a classic Corelle pattern, Old Town Blue, revitalize it, contemporize it and bring it back to the market in a big way. I reached out to my design team in Corning, New York, to gain their perspective on how they approached the project and brought True Blue to life. Below is their response:
We started the initial development of True Blue in the summer of 2012. At this point we were exploring a potential vintage inspired collection across multiple patterns. Retro/vintage was a very strong trend we were seeing at the time. We also noted the popularity of vintage Corelle online.
We focused on five Corelle patterns from the 1970s — Butterfly Gold, Macrame, Old Town Blue, Spring Blossom Green and Woodland Brown. The goal was to create something that kept some aspects of the original pattern but also gave the pattern a fresh new spin.
The question became, what is it about the old patterns that is most attractive or recognizable, and what would translate best in today’s market. Is it the colors or the motifs? And how far can you stretch the old pattern before it becomes unrecognizable?
Four designs made it to the finals in Product Development
We experimented with a lot of different variations. Some were very close to the original pattern, some really pushed the envelope.
Ultimately we ended up with the layout that is now True Blue—this keeps the artwork the same as the original Old Town Blue on the bread and butter plate, but has new layouts with larger, reversed out elements on the dinner and lunch plates. At the time there were still two color options—a cobalt blue that was very close to the original Old Town Blue color, and a new aqua.
We also had a version of this layout for Spring Blossom Green and Butterfly Gold, both staying close to the original colors of those patterns ….
Next, it was up to the consumers to tell us which version they preferred. We put all four options in consumer research in early 2013. True Blue scored well and was thus chosen for launch.
Any more vintage-inspired reissues coming?
We asked whether any of the other patterns developed — the Spring Blossom Green and Butterfly Gold — might be coming to market next. Corelle told us:
At this time we are not moving forward with any additional vintage inspired patterns. A larger collection was created but our consumer research really showed that True Blue was the clear winner.
Corelle Corner — the personal blog of a Corelle collector and enthusiast — has a lot of great information about Old Town Blue and all of Corelle’s historic patterns — it’s an impressive site! Corelle Corner says that Old Town Blue was designed by artist Cynthia Gerow in 1972. Its inspiration was the very old Meissen blue onion pattern.
Where to buy Corelle True Blue — and Old Town Blue is still made, too
- Shop Corelle True Blue at World Kitchen or it’s on Amazon (affiliate link)
- Old Town Blue also is still available — Get it on Amazon (affiliate link)
- And note, because of Old Town Blue’s popularity — and its durability — it’s easy to find original vintage Old Town Blue pieces on eBay.
Carolyn says
I acquired my set through a store giveaway – buy a dollar amount in groceries and get a free piece. Foolishly I donated that and got the ivy pattern to go with my new kitchen. My regret is that the dinner plates’ rim was fairly low and I could use it as a cutting board (yeah, a little rough on the knives but…) So now I kind of keep and eye out at rummage sales and thrifts to replace them.
Monica says
My husband got a set of the Old Town blue when he first moved out and we later passed it on to his father. We added pieces found at garage sales and ended up with a large set. My daughter took some of it for her New York apartment; they don’t use up much space. While she was visiting during the holidays we went to the Corelle outlet store, which had a huge open stock on many patterns. She bought some of the deep Old Town bowls for making the steel-cut oatmeal in the microwave (it bubbles up high). I was at the outlet mall last week and saw that the Corelle store has closed. I hope there are still some outlet stores out there; it was a great source.
Also, years ago when driving to the East coast, we stopped at Corning, NY and visited the museum. At the store there, I bought 2 4-piece place settings of Corelle Holly Days, and a serving set all on clearance. I use them every year at Christmas and I’ve added a few pieces from eBay, thrift stores and garage sales. Is the museum/store still there? I’d like to go back some day.
Cindy says
Butterfly gold please
Kate says
I collect vintage Pyrex, Corning Ware, and Corelle. I have a basement full of Pyrex. I use a lot of it for most of my cooking. I have a full set of the Golden Butterfly and the Spring Blossom. I even have the Gemco sugar and creamer dishes. I love that there are coffee cups, coffee mugs, and tea cups. The new sets only have that stoneware mug. I donated all of those when I started buying the Winter Frost White sets.
I love all of the other assorted pieces available for the current sets. Soup bowls. Cereal bowls. Shallow bowls. Fruit bowls. Giant rimmed pasta bowls. I picked up an oval platter at the thrift store last week that I’ve been eyeing for a number of years. It all looks and works great with my vintage Corning Ware.
Use Barkeepers Friend if you get stains or odd scratches or that baked on gunk. I have “rescued” a lot of pieces that other people thought were too far gone.
I’d be interested in seeing the new Golden Butterly pattern. I bet it would look great with the set I already have.
dkzody says
We use our Butterfly Gold every day. We got it when we got married 40 years ago. Four of the 8 bowls have shattered, and I would love to find replacements, but that is like finding gold.
Mary Elizabeth says
DK, they have several bowls in different sizes right now on etsy.com as well as eBay. Have had great luck with these sites.
tammyCA says
My MIL has the green spring blossom, still in use. I had the ’80s Normandy for 20 odd years, then donated them and bought new red cherries on white ones & recently got some new Green/turquoise south beach..I love Corelle..esp. with kids they are great. I only notice sometimes little rust stains on them. I’d love to see new designs with a more retro feel..tiny pink outlined flamingos, tiny delicate flowers on a lot of white space that would match my adored vintage fire king cups..lots of ideas come to mind.
Also a vintage Pyrex lover..I do use them (lovingly, carefully and only hand wash to preserve the finish..dh is not allowed to go near them cuz he puts EVERYTHING in the dishwasher..argh!)
Janet in ME says
Oh, Tammy, I am with you! Tiny pink flamingos or little delicate pastel flowers sound divine! Or something with turquoise!
Mary Elizabeth says
Yes, Tammy, they do get rust stains on them from the prongs in the dishwasher from which the coating has worn away. You can buy rubber sleeves to fit on the prongs in a hardware or buy new drawers in an appliance parts store.
Otherwise, the Corelle dishes do survive the dishwasher very nicely.
Mary Elizabeth says
…Although DH and I both use the “light/china” setting to save energy.
Carol says
What a throwback. My Mom used golden butterfly for over 30 years. Every meal I ate as a kid I looked at those butterflies. She still has them, but now uses the solid white. I’m thrilled to find this new pattern. I have developed rheumatoid arthritis and now NEED corelle dishes. The only thing that has stopped me is that I’m finding made in China labels on pyrex. Very leery now of eating from anything not made in the good ole USA. I think I will “maybe” search for the old stuff, however, this new pattern is very enticing. I’m so used to the golden butterfly, it’s kind of like looking at the same face in the mirror for a lifetime. Mom served 6 people on those dishes for 30+ years and only one plate broke. Amazing product.
Mary Elizabeth says
Carol, I have had good luck getting old made-in-USA Pyrex and Corning at estate sales and consignment shops, even Goodwill. Have had only one casserole dish (actually Glasbake, not Pyrex) crack in the oven.
As for Metlox dishes, Janet, I am an English major, not a chemist or doctor, and would not presume to advise people what dishes to eat off of. Just keep in mind that “Metlox” stands for “metal oxide.” The pieces I have are used just for display.
pam kueber says
Readers: Consult with properly licensed professionals on such issues.
Mary Elizabeth says
It never hurts to repeat that caution, Pam! In this case, readers can contact their state’s department of public health and ask how to get their dishes and other items in their homes tested for unhealthy components, such as lead in the glaze. Some DPHs do offer that service or can point you to someone who does. [edited]
Carol says
Thank you Mary Elizabeth
Caleal says
Ohhhh I wish we could see the other designs! I love this one.
Caryn says
Ahhhh… would love to see the new designs they came up with for Butterfly Gold and Spring Blossom Green! Found a big set of Butterfly Gold at an estate sale a few years ago and I use them daily. I have a few pieces of Spring Blossom Green also, try to grab the strays I run into at thrifts every once in a while.
Love this story and all these comments sharing all the memories of Corelle/Pyrex!
Pat says
Two big attractions of the Corelle dishes for this aging RR fan are the light weight and microwave use. Not to mention how pretty and cheerful they are!