Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sweet Dreams


A few weeks ago a lovely lady came into my shop and asked if I'd like to buy a few items from her, that had once belonged to her late mother. Amongst them was a delightful c1930's handmade wooden doll's bed. As she put it down on my shop counter I reached for one of my medium sized rag dolls that I had sitting on the shelf above my head. I lay her on the bed and declared her a perfect fit, with which the lady became quite emotional. I promised I would make some bed linens for the little bed and would try to find it a good home where it would be enjoyed.

Yesterday I worked on making the bed clothes. I wanted them to have a make-do-and-mend quality about them and the fabrics to be of a similar era to the bed.
There's a little quilt which I made from patches of old pink paisley 'cosy quilt'.
I cut a section of blanket from a real vintage pure wool blanket (avoiding the moth holes that littered it!) I worked a simple wool running stitch across the top for decoration.
Underneath these two is a ticking mattress, which I filled with more pieces of wool blanket. I stitched through the layers with wool loops to hold them in place.
Finally I added a matching ticking pillow, softly stuffed with toy filler. Now to make a doll to fit, as I am out of stock of these at the moment...I may keep the bed for the Vintage Bazaar next month, as this will fit nicely with the theme of my stall. I think I may make a tiny Christmas stocking to hang from the end!
**
Another caller to my shop recently brought in some lovely tapestry pieces for me to buy.
I always think these work well in the home during the autumn and winter seasons, so I've started making some cushions from them.
This one is teamed with a floral Sanderson linen.

Lots more to achieve...
Have a lovely day!
Niki x

6 comments:

  1. What a lovely story, I love your makeover of the bed. I picked up a fairly boring modern dolly bed at the car boot recently and painted it last weekend. I've made a ticking mattress (used offcuts of quilt batting inside of which I have loads) and am in the process of making a quilt with dinky Suffolk puffs. I went into the living room the other morning to find my black cat curled up fast asleep on it. I didnt have the heart to move him... It will definitely be staying put!
    Hen x

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  2. That little bed looks ever so comfy I could just curl up and have 40 winks!! Some little/big girl is going to cherish it, Lucey x

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  3. Anonymous11:45 am

    Hi Niki,
    The little bed looks really beautiful and what a touching story,the pink paisley is really pretty and looks super with the dark wood.
    The tapestry is lovely and is beautiful made up as a cushion,don't forget to take a picture of the little stocking hanging from the bed please if you have the time xxx

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  4. Anonymous12:41 pm

    Hi Niki
    You never let us down, Niki, you always make such lovely things.

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  5. yes a little stocking would be so cute for the bed!

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  6. Beautiful bed, what a lovely makeover, yes, a Christmas stocking would be perfect.
    Carol xx

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