Pussy Willow Taffeta

 I was preparing a different post for today but got sidetracked by an article I found from 1915:

I knew that taffeta was used in quilts in the 1920s and early 1930s but those tended to be wholecloth quilts like this one from the 1930s:

Most of us have seen crazy quilts with some kind of taffeta used but an overall quilt in that must have been interesting.  I actually wondered if the technique they were describing would give the piece an impressionistic quality.

So what was Pussy Willow Taffeta I wondered?

Taffeta was popular in the early 20th century and used often for dresses.  This dress featured "pussy willow taffeta":

"Pussy willow taffeta" was apparently a trade name used by two different manufacturers.  It became quite popular and didn't have anything to do with a pussy willow motif:

Dry Good Economist, 1915, pussy willow tafetta is mentioned frequently on this collage.

The fabric was even used for undergarments:

1914 ad from silk manufacturing catalog

So maybe this fabric was branded "pussy willow" because of the soft nature of the fabric? 

One thing I'm pretty certain of is that any quilt made of fabric used for undergarments or reused dresses probably would not have withstood the test of time.  

Have you seen any type of quilt like what was described?

Tomorrow is Flower Friday and I've already received lovely images to brighten this dark winter.  If you have an image to share, email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com

Have a safe and happy day!