Press(ing) Matters

I am often asked for fabric loans by magazines and I am always happy to accomodate these requests when I can.

Recently, I was asked by BBC Homes and Antiques to supply rare and named pieces of 1950's fabrics for a photo shoot so I delved into my most precious collections to find my Marian Mahler, Lucienne Day, Barbara Brown and any David Whitehead fabrics I could.  These pieces are very special to me so with some trepidation (and a lot of reassurance from H&A) I sent them off.  I had no need to worry, they were sent back in perfect condition and very quickly and the resulting photo shoot is in this month's edition.  It's mouthwateringly delicious. Lovely to see other collector's pieces too.

Also out this month is an article I did for Sew Hip, together with more pictures of yummy fabrics.

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Bits and Bobs

The first Vintage and Handmade Textile Fair has now been and gone and was very well attended.  There were some beautiful stalls with both fabrics and handmade items of a textile nature.  Two rooms filled with some extraordinarily talented, and quite lovely, people!  I didn't take a single picture sadly but  there are a few others who did and there is also a flickr group so do check out the photos.

My stall was right next to Woo's so I got to spend lots of time with her and to see her beautiful handmade goodies.  Lucky for you she had a few items left so do pop on over to her Folksy store before they all go!



I got quite a few lovely bits from the fair myself including   this gorgeous knitting bag from Katie

This child's sized airer from Lizzie

This huge wooden bobbin thing, which I will use for my twine.

This pretty polka dot cushion, made from her own fabric, from Sarah Hardaker.

and fabrics of course!

Since being back I have been adding more pretty fabrics to the website, so here are this week's patchwork samplers!

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Fabrics Ahoy!

With the preparations for my Open House followed swiftly by half term my website has been a little neglected. Apart from adding the ribbons I have not added anything new for  a while.  This week I shall be adding lots of beautiful fabrics to fill those virtual shelves up once more. 

Just look at these delicious prints!

(click on image to enlarge)

Already added are the long awaited Liberty bias bindings which come on a wooden spool, fresh from Clothkits which have been selling out fast!  Yet more deliciousness!

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Vintage and Handmade

The Vintage and Handmade Fair was held today and was another great event.  The brainchild of Jayne and Michele, this was the 4th fair and it has become very popular with queues of eager shoppers waiting to get in.  Sadly this time I forgot my camera but 10 minutes before the crowds poured in I remembered my phone and took a few photos of my stall and the stalls just next to me.

There was the lovely Lizzie  who had her usual mix of delicious fabrics, vintage treasures and gorgeous clothes.

Next to her was Amanda Shabby Chick who was far from her home town, Totnes, with her lovely Mum.

Opposite Amanda was Daniella from Acorn and Will with her beautiful, colourful, vintage treasures and handmade goodies.

Unfortunately these are the only photos I took, and they are not very good quality,  because then it got busy and stayed busy until late in the afternoon.  Luckily there are many other bloggers who took photos so no doubt there will be some great shots posted in the next few days.

I always love to buy at these fairs but this time I was quite controlled (for me) but I will share the treasures I got.

This lovely plastic bag came home with me via the lovely Amanda.

I bought some beautiful Heals fabrics which were brought to me by a sweet customer of mine.

I also purchased this pretty eiderdown from her.

I couldn't resist this  tea towel from Claire.  I love her  elf and toadstool illustrations and she is my favourite designer being the creator of my logo!

I treated myself to this beautiful brooch made by the very talented and lovely Viv.

These delicious candy coloured cups with their contrasting floral saucers and plates were on Lucy's stall and I knew they would be perfect for my Open House teas.

One of the things I love about doing the fairs is getting to meet people that I have had contact with either on the phone or online as they buy from my website or read my blog. It is so nice to put a face to a name.  I had many people buy from me and at the end of the transaction shyly say how much they love my blog. This made me so happy  as there are times when I wonder if anyone will find it interesting!  A sweet couple over from Italy on holiday managed to tell me, in faltering English, that they always read my blog.  So for all of you lovely readers, who never leave a comment but enjoy my blog anyway, a big hello, and thank you for being here!

There were so many beautifully dressed women at the fair both customers and stallholders. On more than one occasion I had to have a stroke of someone's dress due to the gorgeous fabric and there were more Cath Kidston bags than you could shake a stick at!

A funny thing happened.  Jayne, Lizzie and I turned up in vintage dresses and coloured plimsoles.  We hadn't discussed this beforehand but it seemed to be the uniform of the day!  This is a great photo, borrowed from Jayne, taken by her husband.

 

There are some wonderful new and exciting books around and I always want to buy them.  Luckily I had a birthday recently so was treated to this gorgeous book

 

I am really looking forward to the exhibition later this year and when I go I will be wearing my Horrockses dress.

Another book that I really loved, but couldn't justify buying, was this one .

 

So imagine how pleased I was to find out that I was mentioned in the back as a supplier of fabric for anyone doing up a vintage caravan, (thanks to Sairer for the tip off).  Suddenly I could justify buying it and very glad I did too, it's a beautiful book and I want a vintage caravan now! Pin It

Dairy House

What a wonderful day we had at the Dairy House Textile Fair yesterday.  The weather, although chilly sometimes, was dry and a huge difference from the weekend before when we had freezing gales and rain.

It was so well attended with a steady stream of  eager treasure seekers all day. I took some photos early in the morning, before anyone turned up, and then it got busy and I forgot to take more, so sorry that I haven't managed to snap everyone's stalls but there are a few more photos on Niki's, Lizzie's, Sue's and Isabelle's blogs.

These were just the stalls outside. Inside the Dairy House were 3 floors of beautiful antiques and textiles (see Sue's post). A real delight for the vintage fan.

I love attending the fairs as it is such a lovely way to meet people and make new contacts with like minded individuals.  I met some wonderful new friends, came face to face with some lovely bloggers who I have shared comments with over the years, a lovely old school friend and one special lady made a 6 hour round trip just to see me.  It was a total surprise (Sue was in on the secret) and I was overcome to see her little face at my stall.

As well as selling, I bought well.  A big pile of fabrics came home with me, including a huge amount of 1940's cottons, some still with the cc41 utility label attached.

There also seemed to be a tree theme to some of the fabrics

I found some colourful fabrics including some varuna wool.

Some 1950's chintz and rayon dress fabrics

Some 1950's birds and abstracts

and last, but not least, these children's fabrics had to come home with me!

All in all a very lovely day.

Now it's all steam ahead for the next Vintage and Handmade fair at Chipping Sodbury on 1st May.  It's only a few weeks away. Hope to see you there! Pin It