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Oilcloth is making a big comeback. And it has great appeal because many of us remember oilcloth tablecloths being underneath our bowl of macaroni and cheese lunch. Mothers and Grandmothers have used oilcloth tablecloths for years because it was available in beautiful prints, but mostly, they used oilcloth because you could scrub the heck out of it and you did not have to launder it after every meal with a spill!

Originally, oilcloth was developed to make a waterproof fabric for fishermen and sailors and later evolved into being used as a “floorcloth” which was eventually called “linoleum”.

Today, we have expanded its practical uses. It is used for wall, table and shelf covering, placemats, diaper bags, baby bibs, raincoats and a variety of other items. Oh, yeah, it is still waterproof, but it is now available in a much larger variety of colors and prints.

Oilcloth of yesteryear was resin-coated fabric which sometimes cracked after lots of use…Today’s version—many styles still have that “vintage/retro flavor”-- is made of fabric that is backed with mesh and coated with plastic. Oilcloth is quick and easy to work with and holds a stitch for sewing projects.

Every time I attend Quilt Market (which is twice a year…spring market is coming in mid-May), I notice that more and more vendors are creating more and more oilcloth designs, patterns, ideas, and samples. The possibilities are endless.

Take a look at some of the items oilcloth can be used for in this photo (above)  from a Southern California company, called Oilcloth International, which makes oilcloth.

Martha Stewart has also featured some projects for oilcloth on her show. Check those out.

And tomorrow, I will post some oilcloth sewing tips from www.sewmamasew.com.

(Photo courtesy of Oilcloth International)