Window Box - 1930s Vintage Barkcloth Fabric and Cork Fabric Zip Top Crossbody Shoulder Bag

This medium sized bag was created from vintage barkcloth or vintage broadcloth fabric on the top and sustainable cork fabric on the bottom. It's a lovely purse for every day, and listed below are the measurements and features, and I appreciate you taking the time to note them:

~ 11” tall by 10 1/2” wide, with a bottom depth (side to side) of 3”.  (PLEASE measure your wallet before purchasing this purse, thanks!) ~ outside zip pocket measure 5 3/4" tall by 5 3/4" wide.  ~ fully lined in cotton canvas fabric ~ inside slip pocket on and a single welt pocket on other side (two inside pockets) ~ adjustable one-inch-wide nylon strap from 28” to 54”, good for shoulder or crossbody. ~ stress areas double-stitched for durability ~ interfaced for strength ~ handcrafted in Baltimore, MD

Care: I suggest Scotchgarding the purse, it is made of 100% cotton, so it can be hand washed in warm water with a mild soap and hung to dry. As with any product that contains vintage fabric, the care you take with this item will ensure a long life. 

Please note: I do not accept returns on items. Therefore, it is important that you pay attention to all measurements and ask any questions beforehand.  I'm also happy to provide you additional pictures. I apologize for this update, but I am a one-woman operation, not a big box store.  If you should purchase this bag, this means that you've read my shop policies and accept my no return policy.  Thank you for your understanding. 

Photos, description ©2025 Constance Scott, dba Mercedes Sherwood Designs.

What is barkcloth?

Barkcloth is an upholstery weight cotton fabric, generally made into curtains, that had its heyday from the 1930s through the 1950s. The prints are usually bold, bright and quite distinctive to their era in history.  Barkcloth from the 30's often contained beautiful tropicals, often combining floral and geometric patterns. Fabric from the 40's were rich in figural, regional imagery and fabric from the 50's enjoyed images of atoms, cell structures and other geometrics.  The term “barkcloth” was a generic household term of the period used to describe the nubby, bark-like texture of cotton curtains made from a twisted two-ply weave.