French monograms for Christmas

Last week my parcel from France arrived packed with lovely antique monograms all ready to be made into cushions. Originally part of wedding preparations for the bride to be these monograms would be sewn onto tablecloths, towels, napkins and sheets.

 They are of course double but I usually separate the 2 letters to make more saleable items it being difficult to find customers with the right combination of initials.

I have completed a pile of small cushions in most of the alphabet..sadly no M which is usually popular...using vintage linen to complete the patchwork surround. Filled with a plump feather pad they make a lovely gift for Christmas or indeed wedding or christening gifts.

The big Selvedge fair in London is almost here (see previous post for voucher for reduced entry cost) and I'm really busy with last minute preparations. Somehow a London fair always makes this provincial lass nervous and being in the company of such textile heroines as Jane Saatchi and Tamara Fogle makes this fair even more daunting. So if you're coming please come and say hello and make me feel at home

The stall is tiny so its a challenge to fill it without distracting from an attractive display. I will be taking cushions and lampshades as always but also Christmas gift ideas such as these candles in Christmas bags

Lavender sachets with Christmas labels make lovely stocking fillers

I've made a selection of Christmas stockings from quilted scraps

And of course this year's Christmas fairies currently hanging out on my workroom mantel..spot the antlers also bound for Christmas sales

See side bar for details of other fairs to come