Embroidered window panels

These three embrodiered panels come from the Kalotaszeg region in Transylvania and were made as a window surround. They are hand embroidered on lovely hand loomed linen and in near perfect condition.

Embroidered cloth from Transylvania

This is an antique embroidered piece from Transylvania, dated 1934. Embroidered in black cross stitch, this piece was probably made as a commenerative piece. There is lace on three sides suggesting that this piece was made for a high decorative bed.. I should have more information about the origin of this piece soon

Flower stones

Hand -made from the finest crochet thread, these lace stone flowers from Ribisli are beautifully made by expert Hungarian needlewomen.

Selvedge Spring Fair. March 22 and 23

In March the Selvedge Fair returns to Chelsea Old Town Hall for a celebration of Spring.  The event has been extended to two days with an evening reception so visitors will have plenty of time to browse a truly tempting range of textiles in a friendly atmosphere.

There will be more than 100 stands, a wonderful array of original, handcrafted textile items.

The Fair will take place at  Chelsea Town Hall on the Kings Road in Central London.

We will be there with a wonderful selection of vintage linen and artisan made products

Antique Cross Stitch Embroidered Cushion Covers from Transylvania

We have just had delivery of a number of these exquisitely embroidered pillow cases. These  are around 80-120 years old, They would have been dowry pieces used to decorate the  bed in the "Best Room" for special occasions. The embroidered part is at the base of the sack shaped cover on both sides. When fillled the pillows would have been piled up on the bed with the embroidered part facing into the room

Writing stitch from Transylvania

Hand embroidered on hand woven vintage linen. These cushions originate from the Kalotaszeg region of Transylvania, Romania. These villages, inhabited in the main by ethnic Hungarians have a strong  folk culture.  These cushions are embroidered using "irasos"  which is translated as "writing", stitch. Traditionally, in each village there was a "writing woman"  who was an expert at drawing  these traditional patterns onto cloth to be embroidered. Girls learnt to embroider at an early age. Evenings would be spent embroidering by gas or candlelight. Embroidered pieces would be used to decorate the best room in the home or were destined for the dowry chest.

 Traditionally these pieces would be embroidered in either red or blue and  more rarely black or green. We work with woman in  Transylvania who beautifully hand embroider these cushions on home loomed vintage linen to make these heirloom pieces. Its truly beautiful work.

Upcoming fairs

We  will be at two lovely summer fairs next Saturday ( 7 July) . Susie will be at Village Vintage in Cuckfield, Sussex with an extensive range of stock including some very pretty vintage bolero jackets and skirts as well as grain sack cushions, embroidered cushions and more.

Sarah of The Vintage Caravan will  have a selection of our vintage cushions, grain sacks and vintage tea towels at The Godolphin Summer Fair in Helston, Cornwall.

More details on our Facebook page