The history of Corelle dishware

And my favorite pattern, Spring Blossom

My dear friends and I have a china pattern. Well, not china, Corelle dishes—the millennial’s china. It’s called “Spring Blossom,” which features a darling sprinkling of groovy green daisies dancing around plates, cups, bowls, and and cookware. I was enamored of the pattern when I first saw it on a stray teacup and plate at my friends’ home, and I was delighted to get my hands on nearly a complete set when I was furnishing my new apartment last month.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: My love of Corelle is not one of my more exotic, fancy interests. I grew up eating off a set of fruit patterned Corelle dishes from Walmart. But, it’s durable and whimsical, which are two of my favorite qualities in anything or anyone.

Here’s how Spring Blossom looks on a teacup. I find this pattern so tender.

According to the website for Microwave Cooking for One (insert a laugh-sob here), this pattern was released in 1972 and discontinued around 1986. It coordinates with the Pyrex pattern “Spring Blossom Green,” which has an inverted color palette and larger, more dispersed florals. Pyrex, CorningWare, and Corelle pieces share a similar design aesthetic because they were all originally manufactured by the same parent company, Corning Glass Works, which manufactures tempered glass.

The glass developed for Corelle, branded “Vitrelle,” is made by thermally compressing three layers of glass, the thicker middle of which is protected by two thin layers of “skin glass.” This protective method keeps the dishes from shattering into large, sharp shards. If you manage to break a Corelle dish, it’ll disintegrate into small, granular pieces. This type of glass is heat-resistant, too, which made it a welcome addition to the Pyrex and CorningWare family when it was launched in 1970. Pyrex dates back to the very beginning of the 20th century, and CorningWare launched in 1958.

Some folks are real fiends for collecting certain patterns of Pyrex, but I don’t make enough casseroles to warrant that interest. Instead, I have my millennial china, which will likely survive us all. I found my Spring Blossom pieces at my favorite antique glassware shop, Vintage Pottery and Glass, in Richmond, VA. That store is the subject of another newsletter. I’ve got to get up the courage to as the owner, Mr. Don Bottoms, for an interview…

Did you grow up with Corelle dishes? Or do you collect a certain pattern of Pyrex? I’d love to see your favorite patterns—or even those that just feel familiar or nostalgic.

Until next week,

Elizabeth

This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.