Ancient French Boutis quilt

I found this amazing quilt in a local brocante. It had seen better days, was grubby and had a hole in the middle.

It was plain red one side and this wonderful Ikat style print on the other.

It had an area of wear in the middle so I added a large print of antique red and white printed cotton and some smaller pieces of red linen.

On closer inspection there seems to be another layer of cloth under the red, which indicates that it was recovered in the red cloth some years ago.

I love the fact that this wonderful piece has evolved over the years and now it is my turn. I have added a series of patches (antique printed cotton, natural and red linen) and used a wandering darn stitch in a bronze coloured antique French embroidery silk.

But how far do I go? how much should I leave as is in order to see the layers of years of wear and repair?

I have put the quilt for sale this weekend in my shop www.etsy.com/shop/atelier hope and given my customers the chance to buy it and influence the level of restoration.

If it does not sell this weekend I will compete it to the level I think is right for the piece.

Boho Runner

I have become obsessed by the fantastic antique hemp or chanvre fabrics that I am finding here in the Languedoc region of southern France. But, what to do with them? I wanted to create something that is simple in form and celebrates the beauty of the fabric itself.

This gorgeous cloth is handwoven and therefore has an uneven, slubby texture. The sheets were woven on on a narrow loom and then sewn together down the centre.

I love the subtle changes in shade and texture and wanted to mix off white with off white.

Not wanted to waste a scrap of this valuable cloth I keep bags of even the smallest pieces all over my studio.

I also collect antique French linen thread and embroidery silks which I like to use to create my 'darns' to add a certain authenticity. My trusty shears have been with me for over 30 years!

The pieces are now placed, pinned and ready to begin stitching. Boho Runner No. 2 will be completed this week.

Boho Runner No. 1 had an area of wear on the edge which I used as a feature.

A small section of a central sheet seam.

New Design Direction

After many years of designing handbags I have decided it is time to change. Living in France as I now do, I am surrounded by gorgeous antique linens. 

I found this piece of 1900 check linen in a brocante this week.

I am also finding amazing antique French clothes.

I am interested in a time when there was not a throw away culture. Fabrics were handwoven and therefore not only expensive, but also treasured. Clothes and household items were patched and darned to extend their life.

I think there is a real beauty in these old repairs and it has inspired me in some small way to recreate them.

Over the coming months I will create a range of items from antique French chanvre (hemp) and linen. I will dye, patch, darn and embellish.