Monday, September 07, 2009

The Fabric of My Life

Hope you all had a lovely weekend...
I spent most of mine tidying the house, but I did escape for a short while on Sunday for a spot of vintage retail therapy in Bath...
First I spotted this gorgeous French fabric...

And then this bold floral on a soft cotton, French again...

And of course I couldn't leave this little scrap behind. Dating from the C19th, these ancient textiles are becoming so much harder to find...there's justification for you! ;-))
I find it very difficult to walk away, knowing that I may never see a design again.

And yes this piece; it really is only a tiny oblong, but such a stunning plush velvet, very 1930's French and needed to be at home with me - smile again!
Not quite sure what it will be used for yet, but it will be used...
A fabulous hand painted panel on black silk, of a Catherine Klein style but signed 'Gisele', deserves to be framed.

Incredible peachy-pink lace, that looks to be hand worked - and a whole card full of it...delicious!
Finally two unusual brooches and the old French rosary made my shopping trip complete.
So back home and to justify buying more fabric!
I tidied up the shelves in my workroom a little. In my defence, I don't think that there is a fabric here that I haven't used at one time or another, apart from a few that I keep just for looking at and ooing and ahhing over! I only ever buy fabrics that I love or that I know will prove useful...
What can I say? - I'm easily pleased!
Each one has been snipped and stitched over the years, and been made into a pretty boudoir accessory, cushion, bag or doll's outfit.

Maybe my new fabric pieces will fit in here somewhere...
Or tucked in here?
Hmmm, better get on with the sewing then...
*

Have a great week,
Niki x
(Thanks to Donna for the inspiration for the title of this post - it sums up me and my workroom a treat! :))

34 comments:

  1. Love the fabrics that you purchased. Your mannequin looks gorgeous - love the sash and the brooches are fab.

    Bonne semaine

    Leeann x

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  2. Oh golly, it's fabulous. Never any need to justify buying fabric to me!
    Hen x

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  3. WOW - that is a lot of fabric...! So neatly stored as well! xxx

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  4. Well I know that you may have a lot of fabric, but it couldn't be in a better home as you truly appreciate every centimetre of it. Have a good week too and good luck with the visitors on Wednesday (sounds intriguing!)
    Kimx

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  5. They are gorgeous pieces of fabric. What I can't get ove is your stash of fabrics!!! Omg I never knew people had fabric obsessions like my paper one LOL. They look beautiful on your shelves though.

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  6. Oh Niki, you are so tidy, you should see the mess that I have. I may have as much fabric but when its tidy I think I may find a whole lot more. Thank you for the inspiration as always, I will tidy my workroom I really will .... sooon lol

    thanks for sharing
    best wishes always Ginny

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  7. On my next trip to England, I would like to book a tour in your fabric room for a little sightseeing! ;)

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  8. So many beautiful fabrics! Wow!

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  9. I can see a tiny space on one of the shelves that would indicate that there's room for yet another shopping expedition soon!!!!

    Sue x

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  10. oh my I would be pouring over those fabrics all the time. Look how much you have, what bliss!!
    Alicia

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  11. You certainly have a fabric stash to be proud of Niki!

    Jayne

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  12. Ahhh... Fabric!!! My favorite subject!!!! And your collection is to die for!!!
    Isabel

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  13. Lovely to see you on Sunday. you bought some beautiful fabrics. What a fabric haven you've created Niki..I bet you could just sit in there for hours just looking.

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  14. Hello Niki
    I have some way to go yet before I build up such a stash of fabrics! Alan thought I had a lot, wait until I show him your post! They must be such a pleasure to take out and look at every so often. Deciding on which one you will choose for a new doll, cushion or other project.Your work room must be such a pleasure to work in.
    Lovely finds at the fair. I do look forward to getting back out there but duty calls in the decorating dept for now!
    Take care
    Isabelle x

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  15. Niki, you find th very best fabrics, I am just in awe!! So much beauty!
    xoxo, Tiffany

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  16. Well, that's a stash to aspire to - I can just imagine the fun of sorting and folding!

    Pomona x

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  17. Your workroom is amazing , you must get so much inspiration from being surrounded by such beautiful colour, patterns and textures. The rose fabric you found is gorgeous.
    Ann x

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  18. Fabulous work space, a collection of fabrics any crafty would adore. Cavania x

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  19. Niki, if I was a piece of fabric I would weep to go home with you! To sit in such a lovely space and make friends with all your lovely fabrics. I feel so sad for all the materials that you never purchased that day! xx

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  20. What a delightful post before bed time. I pray I dream of cottage roses and old world charm...Calgone, take me away...thats bubble bath material too!

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  21. Just gorgeous - my favourite combination - roses and ticking!

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  22. holy moly you should open a shop!

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  23. Fabulous fabulous! You know I love your studio room (and your stack of fabrics too ;))!!!!!!)
    I'd like you to see one of my latest creations- it is currently posted on my blog!
    Hugs, and sorry for the lack of emails, life's sooo hectic at the moment!
    Monicaxx.

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  24. How wonderful makes me want to start another collection! Warm wishes, Esther

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  25. How I love you have room to display all your fabrics, I envy you so much! Your mannekin reminds me of a picture of Lord Nelson with a sash and his medals and stars Elizabeth

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  26. Very much makes me want to sew, especially with all the pretty colors. Hope your studio never gets robbed, you have a fortune in fabric lol. Happy creating!

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  27. WOW! Bet you want to spend all your time in this room.

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  28. Your workroom, Niki, is just so wonderful. You have an amazing collection of vintage fabrics, indeed. What a collection to treasure.

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  29. I just had to go get my smelling salts! MY GOODNESS what finds and what an incredible stash. I am still weak, I had better go lay down... and dream of having such an array of fabrics.

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  30. Oh my goodness, your collection of vintage fabric is enough to make me swoon! And, your workspace is a dream.

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  31. One can never have too much of a good thing! At least we have healthy addictions I say.

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  32. Well you know what I think, you can NEVER have too much fabric! I agree with Sue, there is a tiny bit of space left, I think you need to come and visit me ;-)

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  33. I think it would have been the worst sort of negligence not to bring those fabrics home with you! Perfection! t.x

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  34. Hello!
    Oh, god i love those romantic fabric. I wold like to sew a patchwork with old fashon fabric.
    Br Linda

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx