• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Showroom
  • Shop Online
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics

Gracious living that's light on the earth

You are here: Home / Fabric / How Would Barbie Decorate (and sew) with Vintage Fabrics?

in Fabric

How Would Barbie Decorate (and sew) with Vintage Fabrics?

Born fully formed in 1959, Mattel’s iconic Barbie stands, at 64 years old, in the prime of her life. Now, unlike others of us from that era, she appears a perpetually perky 33 years old but that’s another story. Unfair!

Either way, Barbie’s seen a lot in those 64 years. She’s seen trends come and go. She’s been there from poodle skirts to the Summer of Love’s flower power. She’s gone back to the land with the more earthy hippies of the 1970s, and embraced the preppie revival of the 1980s. She’s been there and done that on Grunge, beach vans, and every career known to female-kind — including interior designer Barbie.

And right now, that’s the only Barbie I care about. Because with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie sweeping the cinemas and delighting generations of Barbie fans, I want to make sure you’ve got the goods to decorate in Barbie style. And if you’re a maker getting ready for the holiday season either for gifts or for pop ups and other trade events, you’ll want to be, as Valley Girl Barbie might say, “Barbie stocked for sure!”

When designing, making, or decorating while channelling Barbie, remember, “You’re braver than you think!” And that bravery is colored pink!

Up With Pink

The philosophical and design thread running through all Barbie decor seems deceptively simple — is it pink? But you know the soul of Barbie and you know that pink is actually not enough. The real question is, “Is it pink and does it have pizazz?” That’s P squared in Barbie lingo or (B to the P2).

Barbie is bold. Barbie is optimistic. And Barbie is fun. So when she decorates you can be sure her every choice is driven by the view that, “It is the best day ever. So was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever.” That means fun with unique, daring, pink!

So, let’s get making with a round up of perky pink pleasures in my vintage fabric world that will rock your pillows, kill those curtains, nail that lampshade, and whip up the best totes and bags this side of Barbie’s Dream House. (Oh, and some of these fabrics can be used for clothing or quilting, too. But keep in mind as vintage pieces we have limited sizes and when it’s gone it’s rare to find the same piece again. It happens, but it’s rare!)

And if you don’t like the ideas below, Barbie agrees that, “Either you’re brainwashed or you’re weird.”

Grandmillennial & Coastal Grandmother Barbie

Trust me, at 64 there’s definitely a grandmillennial legacy in the Barbie pantheon. Think Emily Gilmore in a pink bouclé Channel suit. And she wants 1960s hand printed pink chinoiserie!

This 21st century Colonial Williamsburg piece titled “Toile Oriental” in Barbie pink also fits the bill perfectly. It’s an 18th century reproduction from extant pieces reimagined in 21st century color. Only it’s out of print now…we have one piece left.

Grandmillennial Barbie will also love these pieces:

A 1996 piece titled “Coriander” that features pink and brown in a classic Indienne pattern. It’s as if Barbie was laying on a chaise all day reading Pride and Prejudice.

1996 Borderline Fabric titled "Coriander."
1996 Borderline Fabric titled “Coriander.”

Barbie goes subtle with this 1994 Stroheim and Romann raw silk piece titled “Pinery.” With its luminescence and a tiny touch of pink to the pineapples and oversized leaves this is a grandmillennial Barbie’s dream trip to Colonial Williamsburg with fabric brought home to decorate! Imagine the hint-of-bling drapes made from this!

Vintage 1994 Stroheim and Romann "Pinery" Raw Silk Upholstery Fabric
Vintage 1994 Stroheim and Romann “Pinery” Raw Silk Upholstery Fabric.

Coastal Grandmother Barbie will love the fresh clean lines of our micro flame stitch upholstery fabric in bright Barbie pink:

Vintage 2000s Bright Pink and White Micro Flame Stitch Fabric BTY

She’ll also love decorating her grandchild’s bedroom with this 1971 Greeff piece titled “Sun, Sky, and Butterflies.” With its buoyant pinks and happy outlook, it offers perfect guest room touches for Skipper and friends!

A photo of the Vintage 1971 fabric by Greeff Fabrics titled "Sun, Sky and Butterflies. " A Linen Fabric from A Summer Dream Collection.

Flower Power Barbie

As I’ve written before, the Flower Power era encompasses far more than just Austin Powers’s iconic fat daisies. Here are some flower power pieces that our vintage Barbies will be right at home with:

Girl Next Door Barbie

Going even more retro, there’s a bit of the Sandra Dee in Barbie. Wholesome, happy, easy going. This Barbie just loves a feminine floral with all the frills:

Mid-Century Barbie

When she zigs then she zags, Barbie’s not so predictable. That why she puts on her beret and heads to the Go Go club to listen to The Velvet Underground. There her digs are tricked out in pink ‘tude like these Mid-Century Modern pieces:

The Many Moods of Barbie

Barbie can get moody, wig out for some Tiki, and fall into a romantic Shabby Chic mood in her flower-strewn bed. She gets tailored in silk stripes, traditional in buffalo checks, and channels the 1950s with sunny pink-popping barkcloth curtains.

Whatever she does, designer Barbie does it with imagination, inimitable feminine style, and pink plus pizazz — (B to the P2).

We hope this little foray into Barbie’s vintage finds will help you to make a design statement at home, whip up gifts for your Barbie-loving friends, or get you ready for the pink-a-palooza of the coming holiday season and shoppers with one thing on their minds — PINK!

Because, “Barbie is all these women. And all these women are Barbie.”

— Lindsay Curren, Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Related

About Lindsay Curren

A Christian, mama, and writer, Lindsay Curren (aka Lady Virginia) is also a passionate lifelong collector of vintage fabrics. "There's something inexplicable about the pull textiles have on me. I simply can't resist sourcing them, using them, and now selling them. Other fabric addicts will understand!"

Previous Post: « My Favorite 19th and 20th Century Fabric Designers
Next Post: Hunt Country and Lodge Fabrics for your AirBnB »

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay connected to get all the latest

We'll never share or sell your contact information.

  • About
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Footer

more about lady virginia

A Christian, mama, and writer, Lindsay Curren (aka Lady Virginia) is also a passionate lifelong collector of vintage fabrics. "There's something inexplicable about the pull textiles have on me. I simply can't resist sourcing them, using them, and now selling them. Other fabric addicts will understand!"

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

looking for something?

Get Our Free E-Book

Get free ebook

Latest on Instagram

This expressive floral arabesque chintz with swags This expressive floral arabesque chintz with swags, a musical instrument motif, insects, and urns of roses offers a wonderful chance for completing a small grandmillennial project. 100% cotton chintz screenprint by Lee Jofa, 1981, titled “Revel.” Also fitting for cottage chic and shabby chic decor. 

SIZE: 51” wide x 54” long (plus a little extra with some damaged spots). $119 w/ free shipping in the US. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio).

.

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #grannychic #shabby his #arabesquestyle #arabesque #leejofa #cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic #fabricshopping #fabricshoppingonline #neoclassical
Make a fun pillow or tiny cabin or RV curtain for Make a fun pillow or tiny cabin or RV curtain for the bird lover in your life with this autumnal Canadian Geese fabric scrap. Set the theme for your hunting lodge or lake cottage. Or make a fun and expressive bag front, patch into the back of a jacket, and more! Great for making one-of-a-kind souvenirs for sale in Canadian Geese territory or for your Goose area AirBnB.

Features migrating Canadian Geese flying up from a marshy inlet and off towards their destination. A painterly quality to the surface texture of the fabric and lots of vivid warm color. 

SIZES:

A: 24” wide by 22.75” long. Left Selvage. $59
B: 24” wide by 22.75” long. Right Selvage. $59
Free shipping in the US.

Find it our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #canadiangeese #geese #goose #goosehunting #fabricshop #fabricshopping #fathersdaygifts #huntinglodgedecor #huntingdecor #cabincore #cabindecor #naturalist #gorpcore #gorpcorestyle
File this vintage late 1960s floral polished cotto File this vintage late 1960s floral polished cotton fabric under “what a find!” Delightfully cottage core, it’s perfect for a sun room or plant shop, a naturalists cabin or garden-themed AirBnb and more! Exquisite fiber and hand with colors that positively POP! 

Beautiful and expressive hydrangeas, peonies, roses, tulips, dianthus, buds and toothy dramatic foliage. Color layering adds visual interest and dimension. 

Use it for café curtains, quilting, pillows or totes, a bolster, or chair seats, or make a stunning fabric-covered headboard! As it’s ever-so-slightly sheer, for some projects you’ll want to plan for a lining and even in some cases an interfacing. 

SIZE: 49” wide x 1 yard increments with up to 6 continuous uncut yards available. Bold oversized print. Flowers around 5” x 5”. $89/yard with free shipping in the US. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #grannychic #coastalgrandmother #coastalgrandma #shabbychic #shabbychicdecor #cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram #quiltfabric #tulips #peonies #hydrangea #bloomcraft
Traditional and expressive, this granny chic piece Traditional and expressive, this granny chic piece offers charm and ease for your laid back yet stately room.  With up to 6.5 yards available you can cover dining room chairs, make a room screen or use as a fabric wallpaper application in a small space, make pillows, bedding, totes or a weekender bag, cover a small chair and more! 

Greeff 1967, “Cotswold” from the Greenbrook Collection. Made in England with Warner & Sons., Limited. Serigraph on fabric. #106830-33

Vertical stripes are created by double stacks of small flowers while in between are larger motifs of expressive foliage and roses with birds. Perfect for shabby chic, cottage core, and granny chic spaces. 

SIZE: 36” wide by continuous uncut 1-yard increments (sold by the yard) with up to 6.5 yards available. $89/yard with free shipping in the US. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #grannychic #cottagecore #shabbychic #birdfabric #pinkandgreendecor #putabirdonit
Such a sweet and nostalgic looking chintz, “Cand Such a sweet and nostalgic looking chintz, “Candace” by Brunschwig & Fils, was made in 1993 but looks like it’s channelling a 1920s postcard. Lovely roses and Camelia-like flowers or anemones, and assorted small buds, vines, and toothy expressive foliage are set against a crisp white background, making the colors POP! This lush floral is so Cottage Core, Shabby Chic, and Grandmillennial!

With two continuous uncut lengths available (each sold separately), a small pair of curtains could be made, pillow fronts, big lumbar pillows, a lampshade, or cover two dining seats, make a small screen, use as fabric wallpaper in a small space, make totes, and more!

Will take your grandmillennial project to “11.”

SIZES: Right now the pieces are continuous so if you buy both they will come as one continuous, uncut, 62” long piece. 

A: 53” wide x 1 yard. $129.
B: 53” wide x 26” long $94.

FREE shipping in the USA. Find them in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

.

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #grannychic #coastalgrandmother #brunschwigandfils #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram #shabbychic #cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic #chintzfabric #blueandwhite #blueandwhiteforever
These buoyant and cheery polished cotton upholster These buoyant and cheery polished cotton upholstery fabric pieces (each sold separately) is by Bailey & Griffin, circa 1970, and titled “Field Lilies.” A striking statement-making piece that would make wonderful pillow fronts, a charming small curtain, fun totes, and more!

SIZES: Right now pieces A & C are one continuous length so if you add both to your cart and buy both they will come as one continuous uncut 52” piece 

A: 54” wide x 16” long $39
B: 54” wide x 33” long $82
C: 54” wide x 1 yard long $89

Free shipping in the USA. Find them in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio).

.

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #floralfabric #floralfabrics #flowersofinstagram #granny his #cottagecore #shabbychic #handprintedfabric #handprintedtextiles #handprinted #lilies #liliesofinstagram #baileyandgriffin #chintzfabric
What a fun find! This sewing-themed fabric would m What a fun find! This sewing-themed fabric would make the perfect gift for the crafter, seamstress, slow sewer, or fiber artist in your life. Or use it yourself to make cute sewing-themed items like pin cushions, needle cases, and more!

Enough here for a baby’s dress or overalls.

COLOR: On a white background are grass green, honeycomb yellow, shades of gray, and classic red.

SIZES: Currently the two pieces are connected. If you add both to cart and buy they will come as one continuous uncut piece that’s 44” long.

A: 37” wide by 8” long scrap. $14.
B: 37” wide by one yard. $59. 

Find them in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabric addiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #1930s #1930sfabric #feedsack #sewinggifts #noveltyfabric #textilecollection #fiberarts #fabricshoppingonline #fabricshopping #fabricshop #sustainablefabrics #seamstress #seamstressgift
This is one of my all-time favorite fabrics and I This is one of my all-time favorite fabrics and I only ever had the black colorway in a gorgeous, thick linen fabric sample. I was so thrilled to again come upon and acquire another black colorway of “Spring Woods,” 1974, from Greeff’s The Woods and Meadows Collection of the 1970s. #58150 in the archive. 

The piece features strawberries, ferns, and delicate forest flowers cast in the shade of the forest. A perfect fabric for strawberry lovers, or to decorate a cabin or nature retreat. Very gorpcore!

SIZE: 57” wide by 1 yard increments (sold BY THE YARD) with up to two and a half continuous yards available as of the original listing. PURCHASING: Click “add to cart” and then visit your cart to add more yardage. If you add all three pieces (two pieces by the yard and one piece that’s a half-yard, it will come as one continuous 90” piece. 

A: By The Yard. (two available) $139 ea
B: Half Yard. (one available) $69

Free shipping in the US. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

.

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennial #grandmillennialdecor #grandmillennialstyle #strawberry #strawberriesofinstagram #strawberryfabric #farmersmarketstyle #gorpcore #woodlanddecor #woodlandfabric #botanicalfabric #woodlandstyle #woodland #woodlands #wildflowers
A 1970s era House N’ Home reprint of an earlier A 1970s era House N’ Home reprint of an earlier 1950s piece. 

These vintage English Setter and Pointer Dog dogs (with pups) fabric lengths (Each Sold Separately) offer great potential for the hunter and/dog lover in your life. Perfect fabric for making a gift for bird hunters and their cabins or lodges! Very painterly quality to the surface of this piece and early elements of flat design in some of the tree layering.

The piece features English Setters and Pointer Dogs in a lush landscape of trees, creeks, and banks, gathered after the hunt, playing together, and watching over pups. Classic 1950s design elements reprinted in this 1970s edition. 

Pieces are big enough for a small hunt cabin window curtain, great for pillow fronts, lamp shade, lumbar pillows, linings, tote bags, appliqué, slow sewing, fiber arts, and more! Heavier weight than most quilts so keep in mind if planning for a quilt. 

SIZES:

A: 48” wide x 1 yard. $89
B: 48” wide X half yard. $45
Free shipping in the US. 

Right now this is one continuous uncut piece so if you buy both you’ll get a continuous 1.5 yard piece. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #huntcountry #huntingdog #huntingdogs #huntingdogsofinstagram #huntinglodge #huntinglodgedecor #gorpcore #englishsetter #englishsettersofinstagram #englishsetters #pointer #pointerdog #dogfabric #mancavedecor #mancave
Charming and fun find, this mid 1960s novelty prin Charming and fun find, this mid 1960s novelty print depicts scenes inspired by (but not directly taken from) Kate Greenaway illustrations paired with rhymes from Robert Louis Stevenson’s “A Child’s Garden of Verses.” Kate Greenaway helped inspire “Verses” with her “Children’s Birthday Book,” and these illustrations clearly make a nod to her take on “Mother Goose Rhymes,” “Marigold Garden,” and her “Six a Song of Sixpence.” Other illustrators, like H. Willebeek Le Mair, and Jessie Wilcox Smith, who DID do versions of “Verses” get nods here, too. The mystery of this only adds to the uniqueness of the piece.

Features vignettes of “The Swing,” “Rain,” “Happy Thoughts,” and “I Have a Little Shadow,” along with the title “A Child’s Garden of Verses.”

With up to 12 continuous yards available it would make the perfect baby shower or nursery decor — table runners, baby bumper pads, little curtains, Mama’s diaper bag, a play mat, a message board, lamp shade, for adding to a quilt, pillow fronts for a child’s room, and more!

SIZE: 36” wide x 1 yard increments (sold by the yard) with up to 12 continuous uncut yards available. Highly stiff glazed chintz. Figures are 1.25” high. Vignettes range between 14” w x 10” high to 7” wide x 13” high. $79/yard with FREE shipping in the US. Find it in our Etsy shop Lady Virginia Vintage Fabrics (link in bio). 

.

#vintagefabric #vintagefabrics #vintagefabricforsale #fabric #fabricobsession #fabricobsessed #fabricaddict #fabricaddiction #ladyvirginiavintage #fabriclover #fabriclovers #vintagestyle #grandmillennialbaby #vintagebaby #vintagekids #babynursery #babyshower #robertlouisstevenson #kategreenaway #jessiewillcoxsmith #vintagechildren #vintagechild #vintagechildrensbooks #childrenspoetry
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 Lady Virginia Vintage · 11 E. Beverley Street · 3rd floor, Suite 21 · Staunton, VA 24401 · Contact Us Online