Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Michael Miller Fabrics (of the beloved Tammis Keefe line) has just launched a bunch of new designs — and their retro patterns could not be sweeter. These fabrics are pretty lightweight — typically meant for quilting — so you can’t upholster with them. But, they would make for lovely aprons, cafe curtains, curtains or valances for a kid’s bedroom, and also for things like bedskirts. In fact, the selection of novelty prints for children is wonderful. Check out the entire line — 100+ designs / colorways in all — here.
You can actually do some upholstery with this type of fabric – Michael Miller fabrics are a very good quality cotton, and really closer to a medium weight. I re-upholstered the seat of my vanity bench with a Michael Miller print about 4 years ago, and it still looks fresh. You just have to be careful about what you’re reupholstering.
Janicesays
I LOVE these! It makes me wish my kids were younger so I could make curtains for them 🙂 I don’t think my 13 year old would appreciate circus animal curtains! The circus animal print with the blue stripes is almost exactly like wallpaper that hung in my bedroom when I was a baby – except mine had pink stripes and I don’t remember it having trees.
Wendy M.says
I am a huge fan of Michael Miller fabric! I’m really fortunate that a small local store regularly carries many of their retro prints. In reference to the weight of the fabric…if you use a decent lining fabric, it can work in place of a heavier-weight fabric. Not upholstery, as you pointed out, but I made full length curtains for my slider and I love them. The quality of the fabric is much, much better than the run-of-the-mill cotton you find in many of the chain stores.
Guy H.says
Wonderful! I love the older style fabrics. I have found other retro designs at places like Wal Mart. I needed to get some retro curtains for my office (which has Bicentennial wallpaper) and I opted for some some army themed curtains with a “busy” pattern.
It’s amazing how beautiful patterns like these fabric’s you showcased have gone out of fashion! Here is hoping they come back!
Love these!! I sent the link to my mother-in-law, who is a quilter and can make me some super cute things, tee hee.
lyndasays
The fabric world has produced many very cute retro prints in the last couple of years. I have made tea towels, napkins, potholders, baby bibs, blankets, and burp cloths from the very creative and fun fabrics.
I have only been able to find the fabrics online. The local fabric stores do not seem to carry the fun fabrics. If you do a search for retro fabrics, you will find some stores that specialize in the retro prints.
Brian GadgetSponge says
Always love the designs from MM. Unique but always familiar somehow.
Lisa says
I really like Micheal Miller fabrics. Good quality and great designs.
Pauline Simpson says
I purchased that Apron pattern book just in time!
Tami says
Mmmmm . . . looks like I need to dig out DH’s Hawaiian shirt pattern!
Andrea says
You can actually do some upholstery with this type of fabric – Michael Miller fabrics are a very good quality cotton, and really closer to a medium weight. I re-upholstered the seat of my vanity bench with a Michael Miller print about 4 years ago, and it still looks fresh. You just have to be careful about what you’re reupholstering.
Janice says
I LOVE these! It makes me wish my kids were younger so I could make curtains for them 🙂 I don’t think my 13 year old would appreciate circus animal curtains! The circus animal print with the blue stripes is almost exactly like wallpaper that hung in my bedroom when I was a baby – except mine had pink stripes and I don’t remember it having trees.
Wendy M. says
I am a huge fan of Michael Miller fabric! I’m really fortunate that a small local store regularly carries many of their retro prints. In reference to the weight of the fabric…if you use a decent lining fabric, it can work in place of a heavier-weight fabric. Not upholstery, as you pointed out, but I made full length curtains for my slider and I love them. The quality of the fabric is much, much better than the run-of-the-mill cotton you find in many of the chain stores.
Guy H. says
Wonderful! I love the older style fabrics. I have found other retro designs at places like Wal Mart. I needed to get some retro curtains for my office (which has Bicentennial wallpaper) and I opted for some some army themed curtains with a “busy” pattern.
It’s amazing how beautiful patterns like these fabric’s you showcased have gone out of fashion! Here is hoping they come back!
Jenny says
Love these!! I sent the link to my mother-in-law, who is a quilter and can make me some super cute things, tee hee.
lynda says
The fabric world has produced many very cute retro prints in the last couple of years. I have made tea towels, napkins, potholders, baby bibs, blankets, and burp cloths from the very creative and fun fabrics.
I have only been able to find the fabrics online. The local fabric stores do not seem to carry the fun fabrics. If you do a search for retro fabrics, you will find some stores that specialize in the retro prints.