My Nanna was a dressmaker by trade, and as a little girl I earnt my first "wages" helping her with prepping garments for alterations and tidying her workroom. Thinking back, I don't know how she managed to work in her room - it was small and it had poor natural light and was strewn with reams of fabric, garments piled in bags waiting to be collected (which sometimes never were collected!), a cutting table, sewing machine and ironing board.
Amongst the mayhem was her old tailors dummy who we fondly named Headless Edna. I think she dates back to the 1950's, she is generally in good condition with a few little minor holes.
When my Nanna recently moved, she took Edna with her, and looked after her until my parents collected her. Edna spent a couple of months down on the sunny south coast of England, dressed up in clothes and a hat, before making her final trip up to her new home in Scotland.
I had forgotten how much some things evoke memories of childhood, playing in my Nans room with buttons, customers coming and going, endless days of watching my Nan at work.....
I had originally planned to sit her in my new studio once built, but I think she will be far happier standing proud in my living room, no accesories, just lovely faded fabric, holes and all. Thanks Nan xx
With the vintage fabric I was given the other day, I have made a cushion for our bedroom. I used some battered denim off a pair of Davids jeans and stitched our initials onto the love-birds wings, with gold thread. Reach for the sick bags, should you wish to do so.......
I love it when someone gives you something old, something with a bit of a story, something battered, something in need of a little TLC......
My mother in law came to visit yesterday, with fabric in hand. This fabric is 1977 Laura Ashley 100% cotton and has a green floral print. An off cut from a pair of curtains she made years ago.
Generally it is in good condition, although a little marked in some places through age. I think it will lend itself nicely to being made into something small, maybe scraps of it added to a quilt, maybe some will work its way into bunting. I think it will look perfect teamed with battered denim and maybe a splash of gold stitching....
