Cushions or should that be pillows

Last week lampshades, this week it's time to sew some cushions or should I be calling them pillows.  I know the Americans have always referred to those squashy things on the sofa as pillows but it was always cushions in the UK but recently I have noticed that more and more of my customers describe them as pillows. Certainly the word cushion can often be challenging to northern vowel sounds like mine and perhaps pillow sounds softer and more appropriate but then what do we call those things our heads rest on whilst in bed
Anyway to the point.... I bought some pieces of quilted toile in December and was looking forward to seeing them made up

There was one piece large enough for the front of a cushions and the other pieces have been combined with white linen

The second piece was part of a bed hanging I think and I've kept the scalloped edge to overlap the white linen although the cushion opens at the back as usual. It's a story I've come across before, Le Digit Coupe or the cut finger and shows a little boy having his injured finger bound up by an old lady
A cat features at his feet

And for dog lovers the third smaller cushion is La Bonne Nouvelle, although no text on this piece. "The good news" is being read whilst a pekenese sits at his feet

I picked up some nice pieces of French ticking; simple blue stripe with enough for a large pair of cushions. This size is almost the same as a pillow and looks good on beds.

Also a beige linen ticking, much rarer and if bigger very nice for lampshades. I've teamed the ticking with a cream vintage linen and finished the group with a large shade in this cream linen. Looks lovely lit as the cream fabric gives a warm glow

Finally a group of simple mangle cloth cushions. These linen pieces with striped edges were used to protect fragile pieces of fabric whilst being mangled and are very useful for making shades and cushions. Finished this group with a small shade with striped band

Am now working on new greetings cards as stock had become very low by the end of last year
My next open house will be at the beginning of March, slightly earlier than usual but do hope you can make it; get in touch if you need directions....be lovely to see everyone after the winter break

new lampshades

Finally, finally I've started to sew again just when the sewing machine thought it was safe to retreat under the cover. I spent last week procrastinating; blogging, emailing, tidying drawers for heavens sake, it was beginning to look as though the oven would get a clean! And all the while that pile of expensive fabric was staring reproachfully from a corner of the room..or so it seems.
And yet as is usually the way when you confront the tasks you've put off, or swallow your frogs as a friend calls it, its not so bad after all. Sitting sewing in a sunny room with radio 4 a constant companion is not a bad life I hear you say and of course you're right. So a quick blog to show you the results..having forced myself into a small photography session of course

First up a rather smart linen ticking stripe shade which I've photgraphed on a glass base although a tall wooden column would be good for this one

I was fortunate in picking up several small floral prints in December, all perfect for shades
This is my favourite, a cream background with pink and red floral. It would be a perfect cottage lamp on a base like this

A pretty pink fabric with the flowers in cream "lozenges"

I love this pale pink sprigged fabric and have more to make up..perfect on the glass column or wooden base..see image on left

A simple linen shade has a wide band for definition

Pair of small pink Vichy check shades would look good on small pair of lamps on console or either side of bed
I'm intending to put these shades with prices on the blogshop but do get in touch via the comment section if you're interested in buying
Those that don't find a home will be coming to the Wisborough Green brocante on Feb 8th..see details to the side of this post. Weather permitting it will be the first hellish design sale of the year

Back on the road again....

I'm not sure whether it makes any kind of economic sense, especially considering the price of fuel, but planning a holiday around standing at a vintage fair is a lot more fun than slogging up and down the M1.
I had a lovely time at Lucy's lovely Sussex Brocante in the very pretty West Sussex village of Wisborough Green. How I wish I could be there every month and many thanks to all the enthusiastic customers who funded my break. It was a long time since I had last visited Sussex and I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the Bloomsbury group's farmhouse, Charleston, and to Virginia Woolf's house in nearby Rodmell. I also enjoyed visiting Igigi, mentioned in the last post, which satisfied needs corporeal (great Welsh rarebit) and ethereal.
And so off again at the end of the week to lovely, lovely Cornwall and most especially the Roseland penisula with tiny Porthscatho almost at the end. Oh will the weather behave? It was so lovely in Sussex to stroll around in a sundress and sit on a beach but tremendous thunderstorms saw us hurtling back to reality on Tuesday evening here in Nottingham.

This though is the perfect weather to escape to my greenhouse, although the level in the water tank is becoming dangerously high; a greenhouse which nurtures my soul more than it ever did plants and truth be told is an extremely useful stock cupboard.

I'm storing some pots on the printer's shelves and stone bottles on the table

I've made these floral barkcloth cushions for the Homespun fair in Porthscatho; their soft greens and yellows are the colour of the roadside banks and possibly the greys are the colour of the skies but lets not be pessimistic, perfect for a country cottage bed.

The best seller at Wisborough Green was undoubtedly my lampshades, and thanks to their bulky nature this made a pleasant difference when repacking the car. Just time then between fairs to restock in the hope that Cornwall likes them. This Vichy check is usually popular, oh to find some bigger affordable pieces with which to make larger shades
I am no photographer but at least taking lots of digital shots helps; I thought I had understood that it is best to snap with the sun behind you but in my workroom the reverse seems to be the case. Generally I find items placed on the table below the south facing window are shown in their true colours.

Anyway it allows me to show how warm and golden the light is through this white linen shade thanks to its cream lining and yet how white it is when unlit, like the rain dashed windows on the edge of the shot

I like making these wide banded shades with something of the prom dress about them

This floral has been so popular for shades but this is the last, or possibly there's enough for a teeny one; a very pretty shade

Beautiful blue, I've placed this tiny shade on my favourite indigo tablecloth; again the last scrap of a favourite lampshade fabric

If you live in Cornwall or are lucky enough to be holidaying there, don't miss Jane and Gertie's lovely fair next Sunday or indeed a visit to their shop in Porthscatho..The Sea Garden
And if you go buying at Kempton racecourse.tomorrow..I'll be there on my stall  come rain or shine...slogging up and down the motorway in a day

Time to restock

Seems a while since my last post and I guess the reason is 2 weekends away from home selling at fairs.
The salvage fair was great fun despite an incredibly wet Saturday; the marquees proved watertight and customers visiting on that day were obviously the keen type and spent well. I had wondered what stock to take to fit the brief and the garden containers, rustic cushions and fabrics did sell but in addition I sold more pretty lampshades than average.
So this week time to restock and its nice to be home in the peace of the workroom albeit with builders downstairs banging a hole in the wall! The new Laura Marling will hopefully keep the choas at bay.

I like this very simple shade in beige linen, a good size for bedside or living room and lined in cream for brighter light.

Another simple but very effective fabric is this cream textured linen; I've chosen to give it a simple tie finish

This is the third and sadly final shade in this beautiful French faded cotton. The colours are perfect Farrow and Ball; the background matches Pigeon or shown here against Hardwick White...sad I know.....

This is classic French, lovely blue Vichy check, named for the area of France where it originates and sadly increasingly hard to find. It and its pink counterpart make lovely shades which give soft diffused light.

When I saw this piece of fabric at the V&H fair on Saturday it said lampshades; lovely soft draping fabric with perfect cottage roses print. This is quite a large shade but I'll make some smaller ones from the rest of the fabric
I've just opened an Etsy shop, hope you'll take a look, and hope to put some of these shades on it. I'm also intending to update the blogshop, just click on the link to the right

First fair of the year

It's been three months since my last fair; the longest lay off I can remember and some of the time at least used productively. Nevertheless I feel quite nervous preparing for next Sunday's textile society fair in Manchester. The early morning start, rush to set up amidst trade buyers who arrive early and most of all, will I sell anything?
I've always enjoyed this fair as there is a great mixture of vintage and ethnic textiles, both fashion and furnishing so it appeals to a wide range of customers, often very knowledgeable about the fabrics they are looking for.

I'll be taking more fabrics to sell than usual alongside my designs; quilts, manglecloths, sheets and some fab 1950s curtain fabric. I have however been sewing madly and have more than enough cushions and shades to fill the stall, hopefully enough for my spring open house which follows 2 weeks later (see details to left of post)

I first used this lace before Christmas when it sold so quickly I had had no time to take photos; I have made more now including this pair combining the lace with antique French linen, first world war sheets which had never been used to be precise

This group combines the lace with vintage linen, also mother of pearl buttons

I always buy warm red fabrics with roses, they're great for living rooms or on beds

The brick red and cream of this quilted toile cushion tone beautifully with the Hungarian monogram on cream linen

This beautiful blue print, roses again, has made a lovely pile of cushions

Pair of sweet candle stick shades

I like this simple floral shade, lovely for a cottage interior. Hope to make another before Sunday if you need a pair of shades

Finally some lovely scraps of quilted fabric, too small for real cushions they've made pretty lavender sachets
Do hope you'll come and see but ring or email for details if you'd like to buy any of the items and can't get to Manchester. I'm also pleased to say we have a date for the first Country Chic fair of the year. It will be on Sat/Sun April 20/21 at Whixley village hall, details to left or visit Polly's website

in haste

I'm busy getting the house ready for this week's Christmas Open house but just wanted to post a few pics in the hope I can tempt you to come along. It's been a busy couple of weeks with sales in Woburn, Harrogate and last night at my sister's in Sheffield so its been several days since I was at home properly. The cats are pleased to see me but it hasn't stopped raining since Monday so no chance to venture out into the garden to pick the ivy and holly I had hoped to place in vases and jugs. Instead I've bought several tiny Christmas trees which are just the right scale for my Christmas fairies.

I like an wooden sledge to display Christmas presents in the hall or under the tree; actually prefer the indoor variety to gliding over that white stuff. The watering can is a perfect Christmas red

I've made lots of different fairies this year so you can be sure of a unique gift; all dressed in vintage fabrics and packaged in a calico bag. Fairies are shown with Christmas stockings made from vintage quilted cotton.

I love this American tin star in  brick red

These green parfait jars make a good Christmas decoration, fill with a candle or with ivy as I had intended to do

As you can see the weather is gloomy outside but these linen shades cast a warm glow

Cushions and eiderdown in warm red and golden tones

I like this painting both for its simple style and turquoise and grey colours. The parfait jars filled with French threads are both decorative and a useful gift for a seamstress
Back to the garage to bring in more stock to display and cushions to fill the sofas; and then mincepies to make and mulled wine to brew.
Hope you can come along, if you need more details please leave a comment

Selvedge Winter Fair

Not sure if you're planning to brave the crowds and Christmas shop in London?..but why not combine it with a visit to the Selvedge Winter Fair on Saturday 10th November

Print off this voucher to allow entry for 2 for price of one.

The magazine dedicated to all matters textile has held fairs showcasing craft and design for the last few years but this will be the first fair held in the beautiful Chelsea Old Town Hall.

I love this venue, drawing a veil over the hideous unloading in a cramped street and up 2 flights of stairs, as the rooms are huge, wood panelled and lit by wonderful, large windows.

The following images were taken at the recent London Textile Society fair at the same venue.

I will be taking a similar selection of cushions, shades, fabrics and vintage finds

Sorry, this is blurred but don't seem to have another shot of this side of the stand

And when you've had enough inside the hall its a mere step to Heals or to the fabulous emporium, Anthropology; if I'm not on the stall thats where I'll be!

Come and say hello

Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Even by her own high standards Ali excelled last Saturday in creating such a busy successful day; the third Toddington August fair was brilliant.  The weather did nothing to help as we unloaded and packed up in heavy rain and those who brought their own marquees battled against torrential downpours to keep their stock intact.  But then that's the nature of the bank holiday and this year even the queen couldn't stop her parade being rained on.
I spent far too long setting up (and chatting to lovely Jo next door) and had too short a time to whizz round the other stalls before being kept busy all day.
Took these photos of the very tempting stalls in the main marquee

Jo had her usual lovely selection of mannequins, corsetry and pretty fabrics

Not entirely sure why but I completely forgot to photograph my own stall! I had even been buying in colour combinations with the stall in mind and had a pink and a blue section. Sadly no photos of the French cups which sold immediately or the flight of tool maker's drawers but below is a selection of items which will be on sale at my next open house in September

The kitchen is filled with the aniseed scent of this fennel picked at the roadside on Saturday; container is a classic white dairy jug

This is a great pharmacist's pestle and mortar, very heavy as the pestle is made of iron

Gorgeous non matching pair of child's French boots, ( did he have to wear other's cast offs?) which the dealer described rather poetically as Van Goghian

I like these piles of French books although can't imagine attempting to read them

I was very pleased to buy more of 2 of my favourite French fabrics; the lovely soft Vichy check and the small blue check which I have never discovered a name for.

Have made up some of the Vichy into shades..both pink and blue

Another favourite is this soft beige and red linen ticking which gives such a warm glow when lit.

Hope you'll come along to my autumn open house..often much better weather than in summer..email for details or for any info about the items for sale