hilda’s masterpiece

It’s strange how things come into your life.

Only yesterday I was goggling in wonder at Jane Brocket’s beautiful quilts and marvelling at the work in them and their stunning fabric combinations.

And then today, this…

I find myself the owner of a hand-stitched quilt top as beautiful, to me, as any in Jane Brocket’s book.

It was made by Hilda, who was my partner’s grandmother on his mum’s side and was given to me by my partner’s sister.

She thought that I would appreciate it most of anyone in the family.

I can’t tell you how touched I was by this, that I should be thought worthy of the ownership of this beautiful piece of family history.

The patchwork has not been quilted, just lined with a plain cream-coloured sheet. It is entirely hand stitched from an amazing selection of mainly 1960s fabrics, some recognisable from other items once owned by Hilda.

The colours just sing.

My photographs on this dull wet day, taken in an attic room with small windows, just can’t do it justice.

It needs a little mending, here and there. It could even be quilted, with wadding and a new backing added. I’m undecided on that score.

I will take some better pictures when we get home.

So I am now the very fortunate owner of a masterpiece.

I do hope that Hilda, if she were watching, would approve.

faded, french & fab

Isn’t this pretty?

Its a faded French tablecloth.

I bought it for the fabric, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to cut into it…

Its too pretty to get stained on our kitchen table, which can be a messy place.

For now it makes a good summer bed cover.

And later – a gentle wash and it will be fit for a different project.

woven wonder

This arrived yesterday.

Another eBay bargain!

One of the principal quirks of buying vintage fabric from eBay is that you are often not exactly sure what you are going to get.

Colours fade or brighten, stains and marks emerge and measurements may shift in between ogling something lovely on screen and holding it in your eager hands.

With this lovely, the surprise was a nice one.

It is pristine. Brand new and unused.

And instead of the smooth cotton I was expecting, this superbly seventies throw has a lovely weave and a nubbly, almost woolly texture.

Just perfect for a few cushions.

They would look brilliant on a white sofa, or strewn across crisp white cotton bedding.

If you would like any, do let me know!

dilemma…

I bought this little frock for my Australian niece a long time ago.

Somehow it never got sent to her – and she got too big for it.

I gave it to a friend for her daughter.

But she won’t wear it – and it has just come back to me.

I love the mid-century Scandi fabric.

It would make a lovely cushion. There is enough fabric.

I don’t have anyone else with a daughter the right age to pass it on to.

But the question is: is it too lovely as a dress? Is it too nice to cut up?

What would you do?

feeling groovy

I have been asked for some bright cushions.

So I looked through my fabric and cushion stash and brought a few together, to see how they look.

Pretty groovy!

And I made a new one…

…from another fabulous vintage fabric find.

I love how bright and cheerful it looks.

Fab for a little girl’s room, and groovy enough to overcome any suggestion of sugariness.

Alas, the sofa can’t keep its display. Most of the cushions are for sale.

Time to make more.

But at least I have something suitable to groove to whilst I sew…

 

 

fresh & folksy

A new cushion is born!

I am very fond of this fabric, a lovely crisp furnishing cotton, previously unused and of 1960s vintage (I think).

This particular cushion is bound for Lu-Lou’s shop, but there is more of the same fresh fabric in my stash.

So if you have folksy fantasies you can fulfil them if you fancy!