The Plaids...

Vernonware Patterns of Plaids by Vernon Kilns of California

  Knowing the name of the Plaid you are selling  helps bidders find exactly what they want, can you  "name that Plaid" ?

Vernon Kilns produced at least six popular  plaid patterns in the late 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.  Here is a short description of each.

Homespun....This is my personal favorite, the colors are warm and well, homey.  The band around the top of the bowls and  plates and serving pieces is rust, or what some refer to as brown.  The colors in the plaid are a warm yellow, deep green, and the rusty brown.  These are blended together in places to form the warm over-all effect.  Some pieces have more blending, some less.

Homespun Cup and Saucer...Rust/Yellow/Green



Tam O'Shanter...Confused  often with Homespun due to the colors are so alike to the non-collector, the stand-out  difference is  the band on top of the serving pieces and dishes is the bright Irish Green, which is why the name Tam O'Shanter was given this lovely collection.  It does bring to mind the charm of Ireland.  The blend of plaids is orange rust, with a brownish tint, pleasing chartreuse  and the deep green that is also the color of the bands or rims on this pattern.

Tam O'Shanter Cup and Saucer...Rust/Chartreuse/Green 

Tweed....Produced such a short time! The soft grays and yellows of Tweed make it so elegant.  Subdued tones blended together give this pattern a classic look, and gray goes so well with anything.  The rim on the Tweed pieces is always gray, and the blends of pale yellows add a soft touch to your table.  To me, the Tweed pattern is most delicate colors of all the plaids.  This set looks stunning against lemon yellow linen, or even more formal with white or gray.  Very chic, classic, and so inviting.
  Tweed Creamer and Plate...Gray/Yellow




Gingham...This was my Mothers favorite pattern, I came to know and love Vernon Kilns because she had displayed these beautiful dishes in her cottage kitchen.  Gingham is a refreshing spring looking pattern, with a bright yellow blended with a light green and a bit darker green.  These colors stand out on the creme background the way daffodils stand up in a field in the Springtime.  Gingham always makes me think of Easter Sunday, baskets, and new growth pushing up toward the sun, the colors are all about young and fresh, even though this pattern is well over sixty years old!  The rim is painted with a pleasing, happy green. 
Gingham Syrup Jug...Yellow/Greens



Calico...Fun and so versatile, Calico can adapt to any time of year!  When I first saw the red, white and blue plaid, I immediately thought of Fourth of July holidays and summer picnics, but after setting the table one cold February, the dishes went so well with Valentine hearts and flowers, I began to see this 'patriotic' pottery in a whole new light.  Add a green table runner and some holly and they make a cheery Christmas setting as well..just limitless possibilities with all the Plaids!  Calico is a blend of reds and blues on a the light creme background, the rim around the pieces is blue.  This pattern is as fun to collect as any, and a challenge..a lot of folks like to hang on to such pretty collectibles, but if you keep looking, a pretty Plaid just might show up when you least expect it!
Calico Cup and Saucer and Plate...Red/Blues on Creme background



Organdie....The deep chocolate browns and yellows woven together in this pattern make it a bold addition to the Vernon Kilns family of pottery.  .  Organdie makes a statement.  Stunning table setting and looks good in any season.  This Plaid has the warm  yellows like some of the others, but the brown Vernon Kilns used in this one is  a richer, darker tone...in photographs it sometimes looks like black against the complimenting yellow plaid blends, but there is no mistaking Organdie, always completed with that delicious deep brown band.  Organdie was produced from 1937 through 1958 and  has the distinct honor of being the first in the Plaid series sold by Vernon Kilns, and was created by the artist Gale Turnbull.  The other Plaids were inspired by this stunning pattern.
Organdie Pitcher...Dark Brown/Yellows



There are so many patterns from Vernon Kilns, and this guide is only a small beginning to the vast array of beautiful glazed designs from the 1930's, 40's and 50's...these Plaids are the ones I see most often on Ebay and the ones I have a little experience in buying and selling.

 I hope you find just the ones you are looking for!  Happy hunting!