COUNT THE RABBITS

   I listed three successful young artist designers who have made their name recently, and by chance all were featured in magazines last month.    Here is another who hit the A list this week at the recent Zoffany  exhibition during the London Design Week.  This was the collection by my friend Melissa White (she has full credit on their advert. in World of Interiors)  She has long worked on genuine Elizabethan copies for walls and fabrics and this is her very special new collection, based on her studies and views of original works all over the country.  I have shown some of her other work and her cushions on another BLOG.  She was a friend and protegee of the late great Tudor life expert and author Victor Chinnery (d. Dec.2011) and it was through him I got to meet her and have followed her rising star ever since.  This is a prime example of a niche market which she has made her own - but it was not just a chance idea to delve into Elizabethan design - she studied, visited examples all over the country and pursued her artistic talents to a very high standard with a good dash of flair and originality and I will be very thrilled when her designs are used to restore and revive architectural buildings and rooms with historic interest.    Zoffany are one of my favourite sources for wallpaper and fabrics so this looks like a wonderful combination.   I expect to see a great deal more of this warm and stunning red 'tapestry' effect design.

COPY BLOCKS

  Have a look at the example of red and white resist printing;  indigo and rose madder vegetable dyes in resist printing on a strong background, were often often quilted by hand and used for curtains, pelmets and bedhangings and covers.  Then if you look and compare it with the sample of my very useful indigo travel bag below,  it just shows that good patterns never die and go on forever.  The older patterns almost always have more fine detail!

Original hand blocked cotton prints, hand quilted,  late 18th-early 19th C.

Later print on heavy cotton, for a canvas carry bag

Modern print by Borderline, Lots Road, London.

   The early block prints were made by hand with wax resist techniques and also with carved and moulded wooden and metal engraved blocks which were pressed on the blank background at regular intervals.  The dyes and patterns often originated in the East, all of which were brought back from the East by the East India and other big trading companies who shipped them back to France, Holland and England to the main ports.  These goods were eagerly awaited by fashionable and wealthy people and caused big problems for the home trade and often there were heavy taxes and restrictions on imports, and that made them all the more precious and desirable.The picture above is a very useful soft carry-all in coarse cotton from Polly Lyster.  The patterns are very traditional and most go back to much earlier times.  Although many of them are quite repetitive,  they seem to have a lot of energy and style to them.  Click on left of print to see Polly Lyster, next to Dorothy Reglar.

MOODY BLUES?

A preview of this summer's look - blue, blue, blue, from the Queen to the sports arena, blues come on strong and smart.   Cobalt, indigo, ultra-marine, are all in the fashion news, and I'm looking out my French workwear to join in the splash;  -and you can't get away from them in accessories, furnishing and gardens - I've just planted out blue and white violas on my terrace pots and red geraniums will follow in time for the Jubilee.     Click on picture to see the Queen!

A hive of industry

This is an (old) example of Caroline Zoob's handiwork.  As an ex-bee-keeper I love her take on a summer morning when the bees are busy.  She is a busy-bee herself with original ideas and original decorations for all kinds of useful and charming household articles.  Her catalogue shows metal work, wooden carving and lots and lots of hand-stitched needlework on rustic linen, heavy cotton, all designed for regular use and good wear and washing qualities.   She takes her place in my gallery of successful artists whom I have known since they first started up and Caroline is an infrequent stallholder at T4T Fairs.  She was very busy at the American Museum and is back with us for Yarlington Fair.  If you want a special gift for a grandchild, a god child or something special for Christmas, now is the time for commissions and you can talk to her about this.
Some of her things take a while to make and the queue grows long in December.

A SECRET SIGN

When I bought this colourful round tablecloth at a French Fair many years ago, the seller took me on one side and told me that this was a souvenir of World War 11.  Similar embroideries were worked by patriotic  French housewives to express their  opposition to the German Occupation and they worked them in the national colours, red white and blue as a gesture of defiance.     I have never seen another similar so maybe this was just a story to sell a fairly modern bit of work - it is very 1940s. .

STAR GAZING



    One of the things that has given me a lot of interest and pleasure during the past few years has been to see how some of the names from past Talent for Textiles Fairs and contacts have risen to the forefront of their particular field.   All were beginners and most very young when they decided on a particular career connected with textiles and decoration, and all were extremely dedicated and hard working people - and no doubt that was the main feature of their eventual success.  They all had a unique skill, or particular interest and made use of every opportunity; and that, too, helped them hugely on their way to the top.   I am thinking of old trade friends like Jane Sacchi, decorator and top linen purveyor, Kate Forman, decorator and designer of fabrics with a very glamorous catalogue of her own goods, Polly Lyster, dyer and sewing expert supplying top names in London and elsewhere, Vanessa Arbuthnott with a range of beautiful fabrics, Caroline Zoob, well known for her distinctive and original needlework and gift catalogue, Melissa White's range of original Elizabethan design textiles and wallpapers (now at Zoffany);  she is taking part in the Great Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Faberge.   They have all deserved their success and contributed to the wonderful world of colour, pattern and original decoration and it has been such a pleasure  to watch them grow.  I keep in touch with them all, and give them the occasional mention as they have all been clients at our T4T Fairs.   I have to say that we also have a long list of very distinguished and famous private clients whose names we do not ever mention.   Always a boost to any business!   I have just got a new and really beautiful, immaculate folding screen done in Vanessa Arbuthnott's print and it will be on sale at Yarlington Fair July 6th.  There are many others who are starting out now on their own - employment in luxury markets is pretty difficult in these austerity times -  if they can find a niche market, and persevere, using every contact they make, having a decent trade card printed for people to hang on to, they will have made a good beginning and the end result will depend on the appeal of the goods they produce and a good measure of luck.

How was it then?

   Looking at the faded photos of the bedroom 'OVER THE TOP?' Blog, I recalled all the economies I made in furnishing this room.  We had spent all our money on buying a shabby old house near Bath and funds were low.   This was the SHABBY CHIC decorating, at its worst or best?
   Also, I have to say, second-hand things were available and very cheap and buying in France was easy and even cheaper and you could buy it all by the car load!

  The beige carpet was left by the previous owners, the curtains were a pair of hemp sheets bought in France for £4 (see Blog  PASTORAL SHEET MUSIC ), the pom-pom fringe was shabby and came off some vintage curtains I renovated for a client.   The bed cover and valances were salvaged from another pair of (damaged) sheets and again the braid came cheap in a mixed lot of passementerie.   The applique bouquet of flowers was from my grandmother's stool which was too fragile to be sat on but fine for decoration!   The stool got a new cover from my rag bag. The easy chair I found in Essex at a charity sale, before we moved, the work of an amateur upholstery student and cost £5,  just a bit lumpy;  the cushion came from France and I added a thick fringe.   The Indian crewelwork rug had some slightly worn patches so only cost me £20 and I sold it ten years later when such things became fashionable for £145!   The lady who bought it at the Bath Fair came to see me recently and said it was still in good use!  The rest of the furniture moved with me from Essex;  the bed was described as Sheraton because the four elegant inlaid mahogany posts were genuine antique, but the rest was much later made-up and I covered the replaced canopy with an old French embroidered  lacy net bed-cover (tambour lace) which stretched nicely to fit and I secured with a length of strong woven tape and lots of brass tacks along the top of the rails, easily removable and washable (textiles for bed cost 200 Francs i.e. £20).  I found a very cheap second-hand mattress which was very squashy but quite comfy!  The biggest expense was the wallpaper which was about £12 per roll - a lovely scrolling pattern of delicate flowers, known as 'a la riviere' in the trade.

survival of the fittest..........

THE LITTLE TforT  FAIR AT ILMINSTER IS ALWAYS BIG NEWS BECAUSE IT IS SO VERY POPULAR;  THE GOODS ARE PILED HIGH ON THE TABLES AND THE THRONG OF BUSY BUYERS IS A GREAT LIFT FOR ALL THE TRADERS.  MANY ARE REGULARS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHEERFUL AND INTIMATE FAIR WHERE EVERYONE FINDS A BARGAIN AND A FRIEND.  THE EXCELLENT CAFE WITH REALLY GOOD HOME-COOKED ENGLISH HOT DINNERS DOES A ROARING TRADE WITH A QUEUE FOR TABLES FOR LUNCH AND ALL DAY FOR COFFEE, CAKES  AND MUCH ELSE.  CAROLINE BUSHELL HAS ALWAYS RUN THIS FAIR AND HAS A WAITING LIST FOR IT.  I FOUND JENNY ALLEN WITH A GREAT SELECTION OF BUTTONS, NOTIONS AND HABERDASHERY WELL LAID OUT FOR THE NEEDLEWOMEN AND RESTORERS OF VINTAGE CLOTHES AND OLD TEXTILES.   I SAW A MOST BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF TAPESTRY IN AN ELABORATE DESIGN OF SCROLLS AND FLOWERS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF METAL THREADWORK IN IT AND THOUGHT IT QUITE AN IMPORTANT PIECE WORTHY OF A VERY GRAND SETTING AND MOST REASONABLE FOR SUCH HIGH QUALITY.  A FRIEND WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE  VERY COMPLETE BEADWORK STOOL-COVER SHE FOUND  AND IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.    What good news all round!   ESPECIALLY AS I HAD A VERY SAD eMAIL FROM BIG DEALER-DECORATORS IN CALIFORNIA AFTER I GOT BACK HOME WHICH SAID THAT TRADE WAS AWFUL, THEY WERE BEING LITERALLY RUINED BY CHEAP COMPETITION AND REPRODUCTION AND FOREIGN TRAVEL WAS NO LONGER A POSSIBILITY.  SETTLING THE DEBTS AND RETIREMENT ARE THE ONLY OPTIONS LEFT FOR THEM.
SO I FEEL WE ARE LUCKY, BY DINT OF CAREFUL BUYING AND HARD WORK, TO BE STILL TRADING AND OUR CUSTOMERS ARE STILL BUYING!  THANK YOU ALL!

OVER THE TOP?

A bedroom decorated in the 80s, pretty, feminine and very comfortable.  The Sheraton four-poster has a cream linen cover and valances;  an early 19c. applique flower bouquet is mounted  on the cover centre and a guilloche braid frames it.  The braid continues along the bottom of the valances.  The wallpaper is an 18c. design printed by Zoffany, now discontinued.    The curtains are more natural linen sheets with a crimson pom-pom edging.  Two oval silk on silk needlework pictures decorate the wall and a vintage Indian crewel-work felt rug lies by the fireplace.  The easy chair is plain, pale green, the silky cushion has a green and cream tapestry panel.   The period fireplace was fitted with a real flame gas fire which made the sitting area extra cosy.   The curtains here were the original pair of cream hemp sheets which started my old linen business off and I sold many hundreds similar to these.  I still have a couple of dozen pairs left and that will be the end!

POLLY LYSTER IN HER SEWING ROLE

Here she is finishing by hand one of her indigo dyed garments with some of her works lying ready for sale in front.  Her cushions are usually made from sturdy linen and hemp cloths from France and are expertly finished with piping, zips and good quality new feather fillings.  Her bolsters are a useful addition for comfort and colour on easy chairs and sofas and their ends in colourful stripes are most decorative. Polly is wearing one of her own design shift-shirts which are easy/casual work-wear.  She is designing a new range of clothing this year - ask her about it at the next fair.  She is organising a rather special Fair near Stroud on May 12th 13th, Sat. Sun. at Bisley Village Hall - there will be some quite exceptional pieces for sale (many from the East) to see and buy;  which  are similar to those demonstrated at the lectures given, part of the World Textile Event in Stroud that week.  Your chance to learn and identify textile treasures!

GET IT ON TAPE

This is a rather scruffy tape sample card, presumably from a French drapery shop with nice old fashioned script and figures;  No. 16 bottom right is 25F. le metre which is not difficult to translate!    I have a big reel of similar linen tape myself which is very useful for making all kinds of loops and bindings - strong and quite smart on tea towels and various ties on aprons  and other clothing.- and with the current fashion for all things stone and pebble coloured, I have used some to decorate cushions and bags.     I offer the little card to anyone who collects old haberdashery - free, but ask for postage which might be about £1.  It is quite useless but I can't throw it away and am now trying to reduce the chaos of my sewing room! Contact me dbaer@onetel.com.  P.S. I HAVE HAD THREE WOULD-BE TAKERS WITHIN 2 HOURS OF PUTTING THIS OFFER ON AND I ACCEPTED THE FIRST OFFER - SO IT SEEMS I HAVE SEVERAL READERS AND TWO WERE FROM FRANCE!  THANK YOU AND SORRY TO DISAPPOINT.

Regal Lion

How about this for a fine example of embroidery?  It comes for the Royal School of Needlework who have, of course, a unique collection of the finest works and are still carrying out commissions.   They are coming to our T4T Yarlington Fair in early July with talks and examples to show some of their history and current work, so I recommend you contact me soon for invitations and more details of the venue which is near Wincanton. We have planned a really lovely day out for you and would welcome larger parties in mini-buses - plenty of room and a glorious park and romantic gardens to enjoy as well, all in aid of the Royal School and Macmillan Cancer Relief.   Email  dbaer@onetel.com

BREAKING NEWS

   Christmas was a busy time anyway for most of us and I was particularly occupied in sorting out the T4T programme of fairs for the next year.  I am really happy to say that we have a special treat for all those on our mailing list for 2012:   an invitation to one of the loveliest country houses in  Somerset that I know, where there is a very special interest in needlework and textiles.   This is just to whet your apetite and exact dates and times are to follow as soon as I have confirmation from our hosts.  We will be having a Rag Bag sale at Yarlington so please start sorting and saving your surplus textiles, wools and sewing notions which will be sold for Macmillan Cancer Relief and The Royal School of  Needlework.  You will be getting more news in my Blogsite, by Email and also in the annual mail-out which is posted in March to everyone, whether on Email or not.

 TALENT FOR TEXTILES FAIRS all free entry except Yarlington
   April 4th,Wednesday,  Ilminster, Som.
   July 6th, Friday,Yarlington, Wincanton (Charity entrance charge,in advance £3.50 pp.) Invitation required
   June 13th, Wednesday, Poundbury, Dorchester
   Sept. 7th, Friday, Bradford on Avon, Church Hall (now Masonic), Invitation required
   October 17th, Wednesday, Ilminster, Som.

FULL OF EASTER PROMISE

  At a time when most of us are trying to re-cycle and be economical with our clothes and linens, it is refreshing to look at the wardrobes of the Royal family, The Queen in her pretty pastel outfits and of course the new Duchess in her jaunty young styles, always becoming and correct.  I imagine that these bonnets which were made for Queen Victoria in her youth had the same effect, and were probably much copied.   You have to admire the fine straw-work (where are the makers nowadays? ) and the beautiful wide silk ribbons are almost unobtainable now - or only at a huge price.  These come from the V. and A. Museum and are rather more attractive and interesting than the items of Royal Underwear which keep on turning up in auction sales and fetch surprising amounts.