Introducing Treenware & Berries!!

I'm so pleased to announce my next fabric line with Marcus Fabrics called.......

Treenware & Berries

Before I start showing you the new fabrics in this collection, perhaps a little history is needed on what the term "treenware" is all about.

The photo above shows a sample of some of the early American treenware I've collected.  Basically, treenware is (an umbrella term for) any household item that was made, carved, or whittled from wood...in essence from a "tree".  Think...household items made from a tree.

Early American treenware is plentiful and easily found in antique shops.  Some items very affordable, and some much more expensive.  Most common are cutting boards, both plain and fancy, spoons, ladles, paddles, butter presses, bowls, plates, dough bowls, rolling pins, highly sought after noodle boards, graters, and innumerable kitchen utensils.  

Treenware items were put to hard work.  They weren't meant to sit on a shelf looking pretty.   They were put to good use everyday.  While most are very plain and utilitarian in design, sometimes their maker put a little extra creative spin in the design.  These butter molds, for instance, do have a specific purpose.  The size of the mold pressed a specific weight of butter, while the pressed design marked the brand, if you will, of the butter maker.  Each one hand carved.... a work of art.  What luck it was to find a mini butter press with my initial!  

Here are a few of my antique graters, all treen, and some with original paint.  Each one hand made.  As you can see, the red one doesn't have much in the way of design (you know me with the color red, AND original paint!!  Swoon!), but the black one, albeit quite worn, shows so much character and design, and was obviously worn and loved.  

The most highly prized (highly priced!) and collectible are treen items in original paint.  I love most all of the original paint colors you commonly see which are whitewash or cream, blue, red, green, black and mustard.  My wallet doesn't often allow adding to the 'original paint' collection!  You know how that is!

So now that you know what treenware is....why use that name for the fabric collection?  Well....I love using terms from the nineteenth century, and this collection has lovely, warm browns, a few reds, and luscious creams.  Basically brown and red.....Treenware and Berries!

Here's a little sneek peak at a few of the fabrics in the Treenware & Berries collection.

I'll show you the entire line in my next post!  Have a good weekend!!