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Caroline Chartreuse Cotton Dress And Craft Fabric Cu

Vintage & Retro Print Fabric

Vintage and retro isn't one single look, more a loose family of prints united by feeling like they've stepped out of another decade. This collection draws together vintage florals with a heritage feel and bolder, 60s-inspired retro geometrics and novelty prints, across cotton and viscose. Sold by the metre or half metre depending on the fabric, with free samples available on most.

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"Vintage" and "retro" get used almost interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they tend to describe two slightly different things. Vintage generally leans towards florals with a softer, more heritage feel, roses, sprigs, muted colourways that suggest an older era without being of it. Retro tends to be bolder and more graphic: 60s-inspired geometrics, psychedelic swirls, and novelty holiday prints that lean into a specific decade rather than a general sense of the past.

Because this collection is organised by era and mood rather than a single motif, you'll spot some crossover with our Floral and Geometric collections. That's intentional. A vintage rose print genuinely belongs in both places, and grouping it here as well makes it easier to shop for a particular decade or feeling rather than starting from the motif alone.

Types of vintage and retro fabric

Vintage florals bring a heritage feel through muted colourways and traditional rose or sprig motifs, well suited to dresses with a classic silhouette.

Retro geometrics and 60s prints are bolder and more graphic, often in warm, saturated tones, and pair well with simple, structured shapes that let the print carry the look.

Novelty retro prints, tropical and holiday-inspired designs among them, bring a lighter, more playful take on the same era without leaning fully into either florals or geometrics.

Choosing a vintage or retro print

If you're making something with a specific decade in mind, matching the print style to the silhouette makes a real difference: a fuller-skirted dress suits a vintage floral, while a shift dress or simple separates let a bold 60s geometric do the talking. Looking for a specific motif rather than an era? Browse our Floral & Leaf or Geometric & Abstract collections instead.

What's the difference between "vintage" and "retro" in this collection?

Vintage generally refers to softer, heritage-style florals, while retro leans bolder and more graphic, often 60s-inspired geometrics or novelty prints. The line between the two isn't strict, and some prints could sit in either category.

Which decades do these prints draw from?

The collection spans a general vintage feel through to specific 1960s-inspired retro prints, rather than being tied to one exact decade. Check individual product descriptions if you're after a specific era.

Will I see the same fabric in the Floral or Geometric collections too?

Yes, and that's intentional. Some vintage florals and retro geometrics also appear in those collections, since this page is organised by era and mood rather than pure motif. It's a way of browsing by feel rather than a separate, non-overlapping range.

How do I care for these printed fabrics?

Wash at 30 or 40 degrees on a gentle cycle, inside out where possible, unless the care label states otherwise. Viscose fabrics generally need a cooler, gentler wash than cotton.

Can I order a sample before buying?

Yes. Most fabrics in this collection are available as a free sample so you can check the print scale, colour and handle before committing to a full cut. Use the "Order Sample" option on the product page.

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