keepers

It is a rule of mine always and only to buy vintage fabrics that I like.

It just wouldn’t feel right to buy “just for the sake of it”.

Without that little skip-of-a-heartbeat when the package is first opened, it would be a bit pointless.

Soul-less.

And I always take care to make everything to a high standard, so that every item I make is one that I would be happy to own myself.

But often the colour doesn’t quite fit in my own home. Or I am making to someone else’s requirements. So although I love them all, it is usually no problem for me to part with my wares.

But sometimes, it doesn’t quite work like that.

For example: I have stopped buying vintage duvet covers just for the fabric.

There is loads of fabric in a duvet cover, so they are usually good value.

But somehow I always just have to see how it would look on my bed.

And then, after struggling to get it onto the quilt (does anyone else hate doing that as much as I do?) and admiring how it looks, I can’t quite bring myself to take it off again and cut it up.

But quite apart from the duvet covers, there are the real keepers…

There have been only two so far.

This was the first:

You may have spotted it yesterday, underneath Flora. Or even yonks ago, on my sofa. It was the first bolster cushion I ever made.

It was a rare 1960s tablecloth, still in its original packaging when I bought it. Such a leap of faith to cut into that fabric!

My stitching is imperfect, with its rucks and tucks – yet I still love it so.

The second keeper happened along just this week.

The fabric was bought a while back and the heartbeat-skip was a big one.

Whilst making stock for my stall this week it came to my attention again. I had the right size rectangular cushion pad. Another heartbeat-skip.

When I finished it I just knew.

It is exactly what I want for my bedroom.

A keeper. Definitely.

But…

There is just enough fabric left for a second cushion.

The question is: will that one be a keeper as well?