Dutch Heritage Fabrics

by Petra Prins and Nel Kooiman

When
in the 17th and 18th century the VOC (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) sailed
along the Cape to India they found beautiful hand painted and hand printed
cotton fabric. These fabrics were of a superior quality with colourful plant
and flower patterns.  

On
the way back, amongst other merchandise, they brought these beautiful fabrics,
called chintz, home and it was not long before these chintz became very
popular.  

They
were not just used for interior purposes, but as well for clothing; Women’s
skirts and blouses and men’s robes. Wonderful pieces can be found in different
Museums, not just in the Netherlands but also in England and France. 

To
this day, you can still find the fabrics in the Dutch traditional clothing,
worn in Marken, Hindeloopen and Spakenburg. 

These
timeless prints still appeal to our imagination. It is therefore in conjunction
with Petra Prins and Nel Kooiman, Dutch Heritage is reproducing a number of
these beautiful prints directly from their private collections. 

The
fabrics are most suitable for patchwork and quilting and dressmaking.