Hungarian vintage linen and hemp

We have just sourced a number of long vintage linen rolls with blue stripes. All hand woven in the 1920s-1940s on narrow home looms. The second roll down is probably Slovakian and has very unsual silver grey and some brown threads making for an interesting and unusual overall effect. We have 30+ metres of this one and have been lucky to source such an unusual fabric in such a long roll, this one is heavy and close woven and would be super for upholstery.

Some of this blue striped linen has an antique French look about it , being very similar to antique French linen which is now very difficult to find in decent quantities. This blue striped vintage linen is always popular in Sweden and looks good with painted white and grey furniture.

Matyo embroidery

This distinctive Matyo embroidery , characterised by densely embroidered colourful flower designs on a black background, originate from a small area, the centre of which is Mezökövesd, a town in Northern Hungary. Usually in bold colours, often with long fringes, most commonly used as cushions, small table cloths. These antique embroideries date from 1910-1940s. The top image is a cover for a baby grand- absolutely stunning!

British Red Cross Christmas Fair

We will be at the British Red Cross Fair
British Red Cross London Christmas Fair
on 16 & 17 November 2011
at Kensington Town Hall.
Tickets are now onsale at www.redcross.org.uk/fair

From rags to riches

We have had a stock of rag rugs for a while now and have finally got round laundering them and deciding what to do with them .... cushions seemed a good idea and those pictured above are the first in the range.
The weaving of recycled cloth to make floor coverings was once common place in many parts of the world. Old, worn clothes amd textiles were torn or cut into thin strips and kept to make rugs, wall coverings and even table mats. The woman who uses the loom above weaves rugs using cuts offs from local garment factories
In Hungary traditional floor coverings include rag rugs and rush matting, both woven on a loom.

Fine cell work

Fine Cell Work trains and pays prisoners in the UK to produce professional quality embroidery, tapestry and quilts. They do wonderful work in helping to rehabilitate prisoners, giving offenders a sense of purpose, building self esteem and self confidence and providing the incentive and financial means to stop re-offending .

The Textile Society's Antique Textile Fair

This coming Sunday at Chelsea Town Hall, this is the second London fair organised by the Textile Society. With a host of dealers dealing in beautiful and exotic antique textiles from near and far it promises to be a wonderful event. We will have a selections of Hungarian and Romanian linen including Hungarian grain sacks, Vintage linen cushions and embroidery.

Selvedge Fair

We are delighted to be exhibiting once again at the Selvedge Autumn Fair. Exhibitors are hand picked by the Selvedge team and it is a truly wonderful selection! This is a textile enthusiasts dream!