Niki Fretwell: April 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sitting Pretty

Much as I love a beautifully upholstered old chair, my worry is always that the fabric will become soiled over time.

This little chair is one of my favourites and gets well used by the family as the perfect place to rest awhile with a cuppa, it being right in front of the sunniest window.

Today I decided it was high-time I made a new cover for the seat (which underneath is upholstered in the drabbest fabric the 1970's were able to provide!)...

And what better choice, than to showcase a fabulous vintage Sanderson linen that came to me via a swap? (More of this story on my current Facebook post.)

The chair previously had a frilled cover, which I made many years ago and have now become tired of. I used this as a pattern to cut out the new cover, minus the fussy frill.

It is lined on the underside to make it double layered and so more durable,
and simply ties in place under each leg with velvet ribbons...

Making it easy to remove for laundering.
A clean and crisp finish for easy living.
***

Enjoy the rest of your week,
Niki x

Whilst down in Exeter with two of my daughters on Monday, I bought this pretty c1930's barbola firescreen for our master bedroom - It came from the Vintage Trading Company, which I've mentioned on my blog before.

The unusual red and blue colouring of the anemone flowers (so often barbola work was finished in pastel tones I find), is perfect for our bedroom's fireplace...
Those who have visited here in the past, may know of my penchant for these colours.
:)

To continue the firescreen theme...this one, which I've finished with a vintage Sanderson fabric under the glass, will be heading to my shop tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of your day,
Niki x

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Velvety Soft

More cushion making this week...Over the years I've acquired lots of vintage velvet, which I've enjoyed making use of this week.

A lovely faded blush pink velvet was combined with this stunning vintage hand worked tapestry panel and a dramatic eiderdown cotton.

I kept it simple, with the faded velvet showcased on the back.

Whilst using up some of my hoard I took the most faded section of the same pink velvet to make this little hand bag.

I love how the colour has become graduated, rather like ombre ribbon and is quite light at the top - It was probably once a curtain, which has become sun bleached along the leading edge.

I lined it with a vintage eiderdown chintz, with another cotton fabric lining the handles.

A tatty silk antique bow decorates the front.

Then it was back to cushion making again...

Similar in style to the first, I used another vintage hand worked tapestry, combined with a 30's eiderdown cotton and a beautifully mellow sandy coloured velvet.