Atomic Kitchen

Atomic Kitchen

I found this McCall’s pattern in a pattern book from the 1940s. I drew a black outline of the fabric for the background and used the colored cloth to place the pattern piece on. Rick Rack was popular at the time for aprons and hems were finished with seam tape. The pattern only cost twenty-five cents at the time and many women sewed to save money.

The fabric is called “Atomic Kitchen” designed by the contemporary fabric designer, Michael Miller. The inspiration comes from Mid Century Modern Design dating roughly from 1946 to 1965. The art of textile design changed radically after World War II and Mid Century Modern was born. People wanted clean patterns, bright colors, and designs reflecting the positive developments of the period. The use of dramatic saturated colors, bold motifs, and black lines inspired from artists like Alexander Calder and Joan Miró brought the world of contemporary art into everyone’s home. Technological developments such as television broadcasting and space travel added to the inspiration for Mid-Century Designs. Sometimes you hear the term Atomic Design used to describe this style. Remember back to the 1950s when we saw satellite legs on furniture, rounded oblongs that reflected the new television screens, geometric shapes, satellite images and cowboy design from TV shows.

Oil on canvas board

14" X 11"

$770.00, plus shipping

Leighann Foster, foster3@gvtc.com

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