Toile fabric is not just a specialty at My Designer Fabric it is a passion. I
am drawn to the serene nature of the pastoral scenes. Whenever I see new toile
fabrics I study every detail of every scene.
Toile fabrics originated in a small town near Versailles, France in 1760.
It was known as Toile de jouy, which means “Cloth of Joy”, because the
original patterns were a delight to all. Benjamin Franklin discovered toile
fabric on a trip to France. Consummate inventor that he was, Franklin
purchased several pieces in multiple colors so that he could learn to
recreate the process here in America.
Every pattern is a true work of art, and the tradition of naming each
pattern continues today. Many toile patterns were commissioned to
commemorate people, places or just everyday life. For instance, the
“Eisenhower Toile” depicted the life and hobbies of President Eisenhower.
The red and white color way was then used to fashion a dress for Mrs.
Eisenhower.
I imagine that every fabriholic has a sizable stash of favorite toile
patterns. Like doubloons harvested from a shipwreck I covet each and every
bolt, remnant and swatch of toile fabric that I have managed to find over 30
years of fabric collecting as if they were priceless artifacts.