You can see how effective even a short length of red Toile de Jouy pelmet looks, and the cool nubbly texture of hand-woven linen or hemp, softly folded, makes a delightful combination. A good piece of toile like this might cost between £80-£150, depending on condition, and a couple of large sheets about £60 each, (for a large window) with minimal sewing work. The sheets filter the light and stand up to full sun very well, but an off-white blind could be added so that the drapes could be nicely arranged and stay put. Using sheets, you can add narrow bands of striped ticking down the leading edge, and along the bottom seam, making a neat mitre turn at the front corner, with tie -backs in the same material, or you can add a good fringe or braid trim about 4 inches away from the leading edge and this makes a nice silhouette when the curtains are drawn back, as the front edge tends to curl over. I always have enough Toile to do up several 4 poster beds and can suggest many ways of 'stretching' the available fabric!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Long live linen!
You can see how effective even a short length of red Toile de Jouy pelmet looks, and the cool nubbly texture of hand-woven linen or hemp, softly folded, makes a delightful combination. A good piece of toile like this might cost between £80-£150, depending on condition, and a couple of large sheets about £60 each, (for a large window) with minimal sewing work. The sheets filter the light and stand up to full sun very well, but an off-white blind could be added so that the drapes could be nicely arranged and stay put. Using sheets, you can add narrow bands of striped ticking down the leading edge, and along the bottom seam, making a neat mitre turn at the front corner, with tie -backs in the same material, or you can add a good fringe or braid trim about 4 inches away from the leading edge and this makes a nice silhouette when the curtains are drawn back, as the front edge tends to curl over. I always have enough Toile to do up several 4 poster beds and can suggest many ways of 'stretching' the available fabric!
About Me
The first picture shows me putting finishes touches to some lace-edged fine linen in my workroom. I chose this as I wanted this blog website to be a personal one for those who share my passion for old French fabrics, who wish to buy and collect good examples, and who would also like to extend their knowledge of this rich and wonderful branch of domestic life. I intend to show photos of typical examples of the best I have seen in thirty years of searching and buying, and to pass on some of the knowledge and lore I have gained from the older French dealers I have known.I hope it will be possible for you to visit me to see the huge stocks I have in the old wine vaults of my classic Georgian house. You can visit me any time by telephone appointment and I will be happy to show you how I have used many of the lesser known domestic linens for my furnishings and to help you plan for your own. The following 'posts' will describe some of the highlights of my trade as well as news of forthcoming events and good addresses for further sourcing. I like to share all this with my customers, both private and trade, so do keep downloading!
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