A couple of weeks ago at knitting club my lovely friend rummaged in her knitting bag and produced this leaflet for me. It was such a great find on her part and kind of her to give it to me. It is a concertina folded leaflet showing a range of Grafton fashion fabrics, made up in the styles of the day.
Grafton Somakan - a 'soft, gleaming acetate rayon that looks and feels like fine silk crepe'. |
Grafton Range 3 - 'gay separates for leisure wear, with the emphasis on leisure! Cotton skirt print.' |
Grafton Range 16 - 'casual sophistication is the theme of this distinctive stripe design in rich, glowing colours. screen printed poplin. |
Grafton Range 19 - 'for elegant town wear, a geometric one colour design styled in a high necked dress with three quarter sleeves and a detachable over skirt. |
Grafton Barcarolle - 'novelty basket weave 'Minimiron' cotton in many plain colours, guaranteed fast'. |
Grafton Range 2 - 'beguiling young dress with the cool look of summer enchantment. Range 2 cotton in a print of delicate shaded flower heads against a darker trellis of leaves on white ground'. |
F.W.Grafton & Co Ltd were based at 65 Oxford Street in Manchester and was first started as a calico printing business at different premises in 1856. They then expanded into other fabric types. I have struggled to find out much about the company but I have found examples of their furnishing fabrics here and here.