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When you see a fabric with a captivating woven design you are probably looking at a jacquard. And you can give a silent thanks to Joseph Marie Jacquard, the visionary behind the magic.

Jacquard’s loom, invented in the early 19th century, revolutionized the weaving of intricate fabrics. The first automated loom, this innovative machine used punched cards to program complex patterns, replacing the laborious hand-weaving process on drawboy looms. The jacquard loom’s ability to manipulate individual warp threads enabled the creation of large, complex, and curving patterns, expanding the possibilities of textile design.

More recent jacquard looms use computers instead of punched cards, a testament to Jacquard’s invention’s impact on computer programming history. Their versatility is unmatched, finding use in a wide range of fibers to make brocade, damask and tapestry, in all weights and for all kinds of fashion uses from coats and dresses to handbags, neckties and even shoes.

Don’t have enough jacquard in your life? At the VFG, weave got you covered with vintage fashion that owes a “merci” to Monsieur Jacquard!

Please visit our vintage fashion forums for more vintage clothing in jacquard fabrics.