Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I'm just a Material Gal

Yes indeedy.......I am bewitched by fabric! Oh alright....I confess......I am actually quite the fabric hoarder, but then I always have been. Throughout my home, stashed away in cupboards of various shapes and sizes sits my burgeoning 'dowry of cloth'! Patchwork fabric, sumptuous vintage Italian coverlets, French laces, satins, velvets, silks, fabric of all sorts of persuasions.....all patiently waiting to be whipped up into whatever creation my pin pricked and hardened fingers can stitch. I particularly love to collect vintage fabric. I am always a wee bit excited when out and about, that the next stroll around a flea market, or an 'op' shop, or some quirky little shop hiding in an out-of-the-way cul-de-sac, just might be an opportunity to unearth some glorious textile fancy from piles of discarded pieces. Yes indeedy.......my beady li'l textile eye is always on the lookout for that next treasure.


I must of course, include my bounteous stockpile of beautiful embroidered fancies; gorgeous embroidered tablecloths and doilies that I have collected over the years. I love the beautiful handiwork that has been lovingly stitched by ladies of a bygone era, a more genteel time, where they gathered in each other's homes enjoying a symbiotic relationship, sharing their daily lives and perhaps enjoying a cuppa from a delicate fine bone tea cup, whilst patiently stitching a new keepsake.
 
 
 
 
I love to reuse these embroideries in a more modern setting. Just recently I have fashioned some curtains using an assortment of doilies, tablecloths and other textiles from my stash. I am delighted with my dressed windows! They look so pretty and cheerful draped in all their embroidered glory!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 So really......who needs to take a trip to the local fabric store and purchase metre upon metre of fabric to whip up curtains to festoon, drape and dress one's windows?? Not this material girl.....no siree.....I will just dive into my bottomless 'dowry of cloth' pit!!
 
 

10 comments:

  1. My, your creating space is more then lovely!! I love reading your blog. This is such a treat. Getting to know you is a kick!

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    1. I must admit that I do love my creating space Vicki!! It's a place that makes me happy.....and of course there is the "to-die-for" view that punctuates my long stints of designing and stitching! Thank you for your lovely comments...

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  2. Your curtains are definitely delightful, as is your style of writing.

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  3. Your sewing room is amazing too (can't comment on that post for some reason). I'm still a dining room table sewer for now.....I can dream....

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    1. Keep dreaming Karen.....dreams do come true!!

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  4. Your blog is delightful! Thank you. Margie from FL

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  5. LOVE what you've done with your embroidery treasures!

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  6. What a great idea - to use vintage linens as curtains. I've always had a special place in my heart for embroidered and crocheted things. I have quite a few of my Grandma's linens. (She was a master crocheter.) I use lots of the doilies but I have pillowcases which I need to repurpose one of these days.

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