Freya Amongst the Fairy Folk

I bought this old fashioned shop display stand the last time I was down in Devon, from Ros at The Snug, Ashburton. I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for, but I liked the simplicity of it...

With a flash of inspiration this morning, I thought it would make an ideal stand for the fairy folk that will be coming with me to the Vintage Bazaar, Frome tomorrow.

I love how it looks like they are flying in mid air :)

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I've just managed to finish this little rag doll in time for the fair too. She's called Freya.

Her dress is made from a vintage 'eiderdown' cotton, which I've trimmed with broderie anglaise at the hem. A tiny ladybird charm sits at her neck.

She has antique French ticking bloomers.

Hope to see you at the bazaar tomorrow.

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend,

Niki x

As Soft as Eider Fluff!

I have always loved the soft chintzy cotton fabrics used to produce the covers to vintage eiderdowns - Years ago, before the 'craze' for these lovely old quilts really took off, I was able to buy many at fairly reasonable prices. If some were a little past their best, which couldn't be remedied by a cycle in the washing machine, I would carefully unpick the stitching along each channel, until I was left with two usable rectangles of pretty fabric.

Years later, I still have quite an array of these fabric panels left from that time. I've always used them sparingly, as the designs of many of my favourite floral ones were printed with spriggy motifs, which would lend themselves to be included in patchwork pieces and smaller works, making them look all the more precious and special.

Today I selected one of these fabrics for my latest handmade item...

As I was adding the finishing touch to it, of a c1930's wooden button, a visitor to my shop wanted a closer look at what I was doing. She thought for a moment and then asked, 'Where have I seen this sort of fabric before?' I explained that it originally had been the cover to an eiderdown. Her face lit up as she remembered her own childhood eidy and tried to recall the floral design that it featured. Its always lovely to share stories with the visitors to my shop and to jog a memory of something that they may not have thought of for many years.

How lovely that something as simple as the touch of a soft cotton fabric can trigger this.

As I have only finished making one item today (I have also been working on three fairy dolls to take to the Vintage Bazaar on Saturday), I shall leave you with some very old photos of a few of the items that I made when I ran my first shop in 2003.

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Niki x

Today's Handmade Bags...

I thought I'd revisit an 'old friend' and have a go at making a style of bag that I used to create when I had my first shop, some 8 or 9 years ago now...

A puff-patchwork design, which I have created from a lovely vintage eiderdown cotton fabric. It fastens with a wooden button.

I then made a matching gathered bag...

Another gathered bag, which I made from a vintage Sanderson chintz.

Fastens with a milk glass Deco button.

Niki x

Bags of Promise

A gorgeous antique French fabric was used to make this variation on my gathered hand bag. I stitched two deep pleats instead of gathers to alter the look.

I lined the inside with a eiderdown paisley fabric.

This small-scale bag, made from a vintage chintz, would be ideal for holding a few Easter eggs as a gift for someone special.

Fastens with a vintage button and fabric loop.

Another hand bag, this time made from an early 1950's fabric.

Detail.

And to finish, using the same rare fabric as the first bag I showed, is this little treasure, ideal for carrying keys and a coin purse.

Wishing all who visit my blog, a very Happy Easter!

Niki x

Colourful Cushions II

More cushions added to the collection at the shop...

Barkcloth and French linen.

A pair with vintage hand embroidery...

And another Barkcloth cushion in a cheerful floral design rounds them off...

Niki x

Teeny-Weeny

Today I've been making a few itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny hand bags - Just for fun!

Two were made using a pretty springlike vintage floral Barkcloth...One, a bucket bottom bag...

And the other a titchy version of the gathered handbag.

Shown with my shop's postcard for comparison.

Slightly more sophisticated is this hand bag made from a rare French antique fabric.

It fastens with a vintage wooden button and fabric loop.

Have a great weekend,

Niki x

Busy Week

This week I've been working on new items to take with me to the 2nd Annual Vintage Textile and Costume Day at Dairy House, Semley, Nr. Shaftesbury. More details can be found on my other blog here.

I have added a few new handmade items to the shop as well, though.

This gathered handbag is made from a rare French floral fabric (lined inside in same). It fastens with a fabric loop and vintage button.

I've also made this patchwork tote bag from the last remaining panel of hand embroidered anemones that I had. (I have made three cushions which are similar in style and can be seen on my previous post.)

Have a great weekend,

Niki x