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Pattern Profile: April, Blue Heather, Indian Summer, Meadow (1977)
Corelle Livingware took a vibrant turn in the spring of 1977 with the launch of the Expressions product line. These four new patterns featured multi-coloured designs on the centre of the plate accented with coloured bands on the rim. Bowls and saucers were decorated only with a coloured band, and platters have a central pattern but no band. The new closed-handle cups, creamers and sugar bowls were made of Centura.
 Meadow Dinner Plate.
Rather than Pyrex Compatibles, Corning Ware was chosen to co-ordinate with these initial Expressions patterns, and the 'Designer Casseroles' have a unique shape. Made in 1½ Qt and 2½ Qt sizes, they are almost oval and flared at the top. Their shape matches certain French White casseroles, but with tab handles and smooth sides. Six cup P-104 teapots also were offered in all four patterns. The Corning Ware items were available for about two years.
(Photo: Meadow 2½ Qt Corning Ware Designer Casserole.)
 April Dinner Plate.
April was discontinued July 1979, and Blue Heather was discontinued late 1981 or early 1982. Indian Summer and Meadow were available until early 1986 when the entire Expressions product line was dropped. The designer of Meadow is Patricia Luzier, and Indian Summer was designed by Cynthia Gerow.
There is a second type of Centura cup that exists in all four initial Expressions patterns. It holds 7 oz, and its straight-sided shape matches that of certain Centura Tableware patterns from the mid 1970s, but these examples carry the Corelle brand instead. They probably date from the test marketing phase that occurred prior to the official launch of Expressions.
(Photo: An unusual cup style, borrowed from Centura Tableware.)
 Blue Heather: Dinner Plate, Cup & Saucer.
Corelle Dinnerware:
Dinner Plate (10¼") Luncheon Plate (8½") Side Plate (6¾") Saucer (6¼") *
Centura Tableware Cup (7 oz) Expressions Centura Cup (8 oz) Expressions Centura Cream & Sugar
Dessert Bowl (10 oz, 5-3/8") * Soup/Cereal Bowl (18 oz, 6¼") * Flat Rim Soup Plate (8½") ‡
1 Qt Serving Bowl (8½") * 2 Qt Serving Bowl (10¼") * Oval Platter (12½")
* - coloured band: April = yellow; Blue Heather = blue; Meadow = lime green (also match Wildflower, Strawberry Sunday, Sunshine, Honeydew); Indian Summer = rust-brown (also match Harvest Home, Oriental Wood, Ginger)
‡ - verified for Blue Heather & Indian Summer, unknown for Meadow, unlikely for April.
 Indian Summer: Cup & Saucer, Dessert Bowl.
Store ‘N’ See Canisters: Clear Pyrex containers with Meadow and Indian Summer patterned lids were made in at least 4 sizes:
1 pint Canister 1 Qt Canister 1½ Qt Canister 2½ Qt Canister
(Photo: Indian Summer Corning Ware teapot, P-104, 6 cups.)
Others: Manufacturers other than Corning produced their own versions of Meadow, Blue Heather and Indian Summer. The majority of these are unofficial products and close comparison with the genuine Corelle pattern will reveal variations in the design.
Most notable among these companies, Gemco produced many popular tabletop accessories in their ‘Matchables’ product line with their own versions of Meadow ('Spring') and Indian Summer ('Autumn').
Cheinco Housewares produced metal kitchenware and tins for Meadow.
James Bradley & Assoc., with their Glassmates brand, sold opal pedestal mugs with designs based on Blue Heather, Indian Summer and Meadow.
A variety of glassware, even stemware, was made by unknown makers with Meadow and Indian Summer decoration.
Related Articles:
Expressions Cup (1977) Soup Plate Pattern List Plate Styles: Coupe Pyrex Store 'N' See Canisters Corelle In Britain Centura Tableware Gallery 1981 Catalogue Corning Ware Designer Casseroles Corning Ware Teapots Who designed the patterns? Most frequent word in pattern names? Comparing Spice O' Life Tea/Coffee & Indian Summer What is Centura?
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