Using vintage linen and grain sacks for upholstery projects

I am frequently asked about using these lovely vintage fabrics for upholstery. Their strong close close weave and distinctive look makes them fantastic for making original pieces of furniture

These fabrics were loomed on narrow home looms, widths vary but are rarely greater than 60cm a panel. Cart covers, sheets, mattress covers have all been made by sewing panels together, they are often beautifully hand sewn with hemp thread.

Cart covers are ideal for larger pieces and easier than fabrics from roll because the lengths are already hand sewn together.

These two pieces by Dan Marty design, the sofa is covered using what looks like a cart cover




The patchwork effect is also popular and often uses a mixture of grain sacks, of different colours with varying stripes and the odd monogram thrown in. This one is from Antiquted




and this one here from Hossack and Gray, this sofa is upholstered in a ix of striped and hand dyed vintage fabrics




and here is one, also from Hossack and Gray upholstered with indigo dyed vintage linen

Chunky Romanian Hemp

Chunky, thickly spun hand woven hemp from Romania.

The striped comes from Moldavia, an area in East Romania. It was woven to make bags- typically worn by the csango, a minority group living on this area who speak an ancient form of Hungarian and have a very strong tradition of folk culture including music , dance and textiles.

Moldavia is one of the most beautiful areas of Romania, dramatic mountainous landscape and small villages, lots of traditional wood houses, many with ornately carved wooden tiles.

The plain hemp is a very unusual, decorative weave, it may also have been woven for bags but more likely for use in the home.

Vintage Linen Hearts

Blinds from vintage linen

Look at this brilliantly simple blind made by a length of vintage linen by Constanca. More pictures on her lovely blog here:

http://saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com/

Sampler style embroidered cushion

This cushion was embroidered using fine cross stitch, by a master embroiderer in Hungary. We were asked to make it to feature in an exhibition in Buckingham palace Victoria and Albert: Art and Love

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/7228202/Queen-Victorias-passion-for-nudity-goes-on-display-in-new-art-exhibition.html

Bespoke initials on vintage linen cushions

Its taken a while but parna now offers bespoke embroidered initials on vintage linen grain sack cushions.

Some of the original sacks have initials, originally monograms were embroidered to indicate to the mill owner the owner of the sack. Our monogrammed sacks and cushions have always been very popular.

Facebook | parna antique and vintage linen

Facebook parna antique and vintage linen