Pin-up girls are celebrities, fashion models, sex symbols or actresses who’s beauty, charm and sexual appeal capture the attention of society’s pop culture in such a way as to cause mouths to drool and eyes to pop at the mere sight of their perfectly posed bodies across laminated posters and magazine spreads. Gaining popularity in the 1930’s, each era has seen a handful of these iconic beauty’s come and go…and in some cases, mystically come back again in the forms of clones so identical in look and attitude that it’s almost scary. Like the 1950’s voluptuous sex siren movie star Marilyn Monroe and the 90’s troubled millionaire widow Anna Nicole Smith, who’s respective journey’s to stardom and fame were both filled with rumors of scandal, drugs, passion and pain. Even the petite dark haired 1950’s pin-up Bettie Page who carried her legacy on camera well into the 1990’s met with her younger reflection found in the doll like face of fellow newcomer Bernie Dexter. There are countless other legendary pin-up gals like 1930’s flapper Josephine Baker, 1940’s songstress Lena Horne, and 1950's Betty Page. Then there are those unforgettable modern day women like 1960’s vixen Raquel Welch, “10” star Bo Derek , 1980’s Sports Illustrated model Kim Alexis, 1990’s burlesque performer Dita Von Teese and ‘Baywatch’ beauty Pamela Anderson who’s curves and sensuality have landed them a place in the hearts of men young and old. Last but not least, the icon Betty Grable. She was one of the most popular early pin-up girls of all time. With a girl-next-door innocence and devilish smile, she called for your attention. And she got it. During World War II, her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of homesick G.I.’s overseas. For them, she symbolized the American dream and became a heroin to their long and lonely nights.
Mass produced photos of these vintage and modern day ‘cheesecakes’ can often be found in magazines, postcards, calendars and on novelty items. For these pretty ladies were definitely ...” better than cheesecake.”
Pin-ups also include drawings, paintings, and other illustrations done in emulation of these photos. Artists such as the late Alberto Vargus and the great Earl Macpherson have not only created flirtateous images of beauties of the past, but left us with a legacy of work that is still hailed today as the precedent to which modern day pin up art work is set against. Even modern day photographer Bunny Yeager who has been in the business of capturing our desirable dandies on film for over a decade or more, rises to receive her accolades for work well done. Just check the archives displayed along the walls of old American military aircrafts, the foot lockers of testosterone filled high school boys and young GI’s overseas, or your current Sports Illustrated magazines and monthly calendar spreads, and you will have a clearer understanding of just why the golden era of classic pin-up art never really disappeared…it only faded. By the 1960’s the classic ‘painted’ pin up started drowning in the sea of the adult film and publication industry that promoted sex, sex and more sex. Paintings of attractive women became more realistic and explicit. Photos of fem fatals in cute yellow polka dotted bikinis were replaced by artificially enhanced g-string wearing women leaving little to the imagination. The concept of ‘sexy’ became more of a ‘flesh’ thing than an attitude, and slowly this wonderful American art form faded away.
But everything comes full circle. The classic pin-up girls and pin-up art are being rediscovered and introduced to new generations of people around the world. With the help of our fresh pin up faces and such notable fabric mills as Timeless Treasure and Alexander Henry, we are seeing a revamp of the glamour girl and classic re-prints on cottons that take us back to the days of “Happy Birthday Mr. President”, drive in movies and ‘flappers’. 
With a nostalgic selection of holiday, Harley and Hawaii Aloha pin-up girl fabric to choose from, this wonderful American art form is again receiving the attention and popularity reminiscent of its 1930-1950 heyday. Here at J&O we welcome you to come take your time and find your own sweet lady that’s ....better than cheesecake!
Check out our vintage pin-up girl fabric here!Check out our pin-up guy fabric here!Check out our full selection of novelty print fabric here!
Posts by J&O
Fabrics StoreLabels: Alexander Henry, cotton fabric, jandofabrics, novelty coton, novelty prints, pin-up girls, pin-up guys, pinup girls, pinup guys, Timeless Treasures, women fabric
You may recall having read the phrase "designer fabric" in the fabric descriptions at our online fabric store or in our blogs. Have you ever wondered exactly what we are referring to with that phrase?
For us designer fabric conveys two meanings. First of all, we usually qualify those fabrics which come from premier fabric companies as designer fabrics. Novelty print fabrics from such companies as Alexander Henry, Robert Kaufman, Timeless Treasures, Shamash and Sons, Michael Miller and others are truly designer fabrics of excellent quality.
Second, we also use the phrase "designer fabric" to describe fabrics that are attributed to specific designers. Some of the designers that are represented at our online fabric store are Dan Morris, Lloyds and Barton and Patrick Lose for Timeless Treasures, E.M. Hordyszynski for Michael Miller and Mary Engelbreit for Cranston. If there is a particular designer you are interested in, just type in their name in the search box and select "All words" in the search type box.
Here are a few of our fabrics from specific designers:
Mary Engelbreit (for Cranston Village)
Redwork Check
Lloyds and Barton (for Timeless Treasures)
Bon Voyage Animals
Bon Voyage Animals Flannel Panel
Candy Angles Flannel
Chamber Music Instruments
Fruitage of the Spirit
Songs of Orpheus: Rainbow
Stained Glass Mosaic
Dan Morris (Timeless Treasures)
Beach Collector
Camping Gear
Cuccina italiana
Hawaiian Shirts Fabric
Pasta Lover
Seaside Collection
Patrick Lose (Timeless Treasures)
Blue-Blooded Cats: Blue
Classic Martinis
Sewing Basket: Blue
Spools of Thread
M. E. Hordyszynski (Michael Miller)
Disco Dot Flannel: Pink
Disco Dots: Graphite
Lahina Lobster
Big Paws: Colorful on White
Paris Pups
Retro Diner
Joy Hall (Shamash and Sons)
Technicolor Roosters
Delicious Desserts Fabric: Pink
Dessert Display Fabric
HIT Entertainment (VIP/Cranston Village)
Thomas the Train Circles
Thomas the Train Squares Fabric
Hautman Brothers (VIP/Cranston Village)
Songbirds: Yellow
Brian Evans (Quilting Treasures/Cranston Village)
Wild Squares
Karen Montgomery (Timeless Treasures)
Par for the Course
Helen Weinman (Timeless Treasures)
Seashell Toile
Becky Christian (Robert Kaufman)
Bad to the Bone: Tan
K&C Company (Robert Kaufman)
Firefighter's Badge Fabric
These are just a few of the extensive collection of designer novelty fabrics we carry. To see more offerings from these and other designers, just visit our online fabric store and type in the name of the designer whose fabric you would like to see. If we do not have the designer of your choice, send us an e-mail and perhaps we'll be able to get their fabric in.
With J&O Fabrics you will find thousands of designer novelty fabrics at discount fabric prices.
* If you have enjoyed viewing the aforementioned fabrics and would like to see more of our selection of discount quilting fabrics click on the following link: Novelty Fabric.
# Do you have any pictures showing the great uses you’ve given our fabric? Then please e-mail them to us at jandofabrics@comcast.net. We’ll be happy to hear from you and might even use your pictures for future blogs or on our website. We reserve the right to utilize the pictures sent without prior notification and in the time and manner that J&O Fabrics deems appropriate.
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: Alexander Henry, Designer fabric, Michael Miller, quilting, Robert Kaufman, Timeless Treasures