Friday, February 24, 2012

Original Vintage & Handmade Textile & Fashion Fair


Tomorrow is the Original Vintage & Handmade Textile & Fashion Fair, at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. I shall have my little stall there, in the main hall. I've been working hard on some new handmade pieces to tempt, with lots of pocket money items as well as a few special one-off heirloom treasures. I've also been brave and am parting with some of my vintage fabrics, buttons and trims, which I've been sorting out from my workroom this week.
I'm always keen to give my stall a different look at each of the fairs I attend. This time I've gone for an antique feel with a French flavour.

I've been madly covering the collection of vintage film boxes that I bought last month, with a harmonious selection of C19th French fabrics and a variety of pretty trims.
I've then filled each little box with vintage buttons.
A few of the boxes have been covered in sections of old maps too and again are full of buttons.

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These brown craft paper boxes were given to me at Christmas with my gifts inside from a friend. I thought they'd also be ideal for covering in fabric.

I've used some more of my precious antique French fabrics and selected various antique trims to complete them.

They make great gift boxes, or are ideal as storage too.
I've made a few sewing related items, such as pin cushions and needle-cases.
And precious antique French fabrics scraps went into making this selection of lavender-filled scrappy patchwork hearts.
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A collection of four unique handmade fairy dolls will be taking flight from my workroom to the fair...
There's Queen Caramel...
Dame Deco...
Cherry Pie...
And Rouge Powder Fairy.
This gorgeous wooden bed was an exciting find at one of my local buying haunts...It's quite large for a toy...I found a genuine old ticking feather pillow to be the perfect size for a mattress.
I made a feather-filled, doll-size pillow from antique French ticking...
And a quilt that I handmade many years ago, during this time in my life...(maybe it now counts as being vintage?!) was also the ideal size.
Its been tucked away and never used, so I'm prepared to let it go with the bed, as I think it complements it perfectly with its mellow country colours toning nicely with the rich wood.
The bed is the PERFECT size for my large rag dolls to take a nap on - I have several of them hot off the sewing machine...
This is Isadora, who I have given as genuine an antique look as I could create. Her skirt is made from a very old hand-worked tapestry that I bought on my last buying trip of 2011.
I've used French ticking, eiderdown cotton and a fabulous Irish hand woven wool for the rest of her outfit.
Her sister Elspeth has a similar look...
With the same Irish wool as her jacket...
And a beautiful tapestry skirt and tea-stained underclothes.
As a slight departure to my usual girls, I've also made this grand looking lady. Her name is Dulcie and she is dressed in fine antique silks, hand embroidered linen jacket and a velvet cloche hat.
Rare metal thread braids add extra detail to her skirt.
Keen to promote angels all year round...not just for Christmas, I've made Gabriella too.
She is dressed in a crisp white antique baby gown, which I adjusted to fit and embroidered with the words Guardian Angel.
A few vintage trinkets decorate her wings.
That's a taster of what will be coming with me to the fair...Hope to see you there if you can make it...Otherwise, have a lovely weekend, whatever you get up to!

Off to work now...
Niki x

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:40 am

    oooooh Niki everything is gorgeous! you are so very creative and your stall will be so tempting to all who attend.
    Hope you have a wonderful day,
    XxX

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  2. never mind the dolls, I feel like taking a nap on that wonderfully dressed bed!
    xx

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  3. Your stall will look amazing. I want to come and buy it all. Alas I am a bit far away for a day visit! I absolutely adore those little button boxes and that pretty little clasp purse I spotted there. Such wonderful treasures. Good luck I am sure you will sell out in no time. x

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  4. You have some gorgeous makes :) good luck at the weekend.

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  5. Your dolls are so very lovely, Niki! I'm still so pleased I own a couple of them - still on display on my favorite cupboard shelf! :) Best of luck at the fair!

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  6. I love everything you have done!
    Wishing you many sales tomorrow!

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  7. Everything is just beautiful...good luck:)

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  8. Looking forward to seeing all your creations tomorrow...the doll's bed is just wonderful!

    Jayne

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  9. Oh How i wish I could attend the event where you will be selling your little covered boxes.
    the doll bed is precious

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  10. Wow Nikki, I don't know how you can bare to part with those beautiful fabrics but I am sure you will have many appreciative customers. The bed is sublime and I WISH I could be there as the doors open to snap it up but, all the best for a successful and happy day.x

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  11. Hi Niki.
    I wish you much success for today in Chipping Sodbury :):)
    I want to be there ... sigh!
    Hughs and Kisses, Maria.
    (with translator)

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  12. Wish I could be there but have a wonderful time and hope you have a
    successful day.Will look forward to hearing all about it. Anne x

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  13. Your creations are wonderful Niki. You never fail to amaze me with all you new ideas and your stall looked just beautiful!

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  14. Anonymous8:02 am

    Inspirational as always Niki.

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