click on pictures for larger view

BOUNTIFUL BRODERIES

Pamela Glasell

What could be more charming than a vintage tablecloth filled with children, animals or gardens. Broderie Creations was a somewhat mysterious tablecloth manufacturer, that brought these charming, whimsical designs to kitchen tables everywhere. Once you see a Broderie, you can identify others almost immediately by looking at their charming designs and fun patterns.

1930's Farmer and Wife pattern. Came in several color combinations, the Broderie print

was produced in the 1930's, the Pennicraft one in the late 1940's/50's. $150-$175. This pattern is the easiest to find and was probably continuously produced from the early 1930's to the 1950's.

 

The history and origins of the company are still a mystery. Most tablecloth manufacturers that were doing business before and after the 1920's registered their trademarks with the US Patent Office, so they can be researched and identified today. Broderie Creations didn't seem to register anywhere, although their designs and tablecloths can be found in most vintage tablecloth collector's collections. My best guess is that since the name "Broderie" is usually referred to as a type of fine lace - it may be been registered previously. Whatever the reason, Broderie Creations still known as one of the most highly sought after tablecloth designs to collect.

1930's "Gardening" series. Charming designs that are highly sought after by collectors.

The middle pattern is a towel . Tablecloths $175-$250, Towel $35-$40

Late 1930's pattern depicting daily housework! one of my favorites series. You'll sometimes find JS&S label along with another label one was the manufacturer, one was the seller or importer - another mystery to investigate! Tablecloths $175-$275,

Late 1930's "Singing Chef's" Tablecloth and matching towels set. These towels coordinated with many of the tablecloth patterns. Towels - $35-$50, Tablecloth $200-$250

Most of their whimsical children and garden designs were produced in the early 1930's. The US was in the midst of the "Great Depression" and people longed for for fun, whimsy and charm to cheer their dreary household. You can tell these are 1930's patterns when you look at the green used. It's a teal, jade-ite green, not a true grass green. That color was not colorfast until much later. You'll also see evidence of "overprinting," When several colors were laid over each other to create another colors. Most of the time, you'll find blue and yellow overprinted to make a green.

  

 

Broderie created many "Black Americana" patterns. You'll sometimes find

the same pattern done again with a "Black Americana" theme.

I didn't show it here, but the teapot pattern above can also be found

without black faces. Sometime they will have the black face, sometimes

if you are lucky enough to find a really early 1930's pattern -

they'll have almost purple/blue face. $225-$300

They also produced floral themes, a cut work type design and multitudes of rooster patterns and home type themes. These were produced in the 1950's.

A few fun other broderies patterns. $50-$125.

The Cut work pattern has matching napkins! The fruit basket one also can be found in the

Puppies and Kittens pattern which is on my "Have to Have at whatever cost" list.

(Don't tell my husband about that list please..LOL...)

They also had fun with "Regional" themes. You'll find many dancing Dutch and a few Mexican themes that coordinated with the popular kitchen designs of the 1950's.

Dancing Dutch 1950's Tablecloths $50-$75, Mexican theme $75-$150

 

My favorite of all time series is one I call "Children around the world" You can find children in costumes, surrounded by ribbons and fruits. So sweet! So far I've found a Mexican theme, Dutch, Russian and United States. I'm convinced there are more patterns in this series!

 

  

From left to right - Mexican, Dutch, Russian and United States "Children of the World" Tablecloths $175-$250. The matching towels are extremely difficult to find.

Here are a group of vintage towels that I am still researching. I believe these to be Broderies as well!

 

These are examples of some the tags I've found, and they can help you date your Broderie if you are lucky enough to find one with a intact label! From left to right - Early 1930's, mid 1930's, 1930's/40's, Mid 1940's and last, 1950's.

 

  

 

Special big thanks to Kathy G. who generously sent pictures of her collection to be featured! Happy Tablecloth treasure hunting!

.