The Washerwoman

Monday 21 October 2013

Textiles Galore!


I cannot believe it is over 6 months since the last Rag and Rummage in the village of Trull!


 Happy memories of a packed hall, stands piled high with textiles and other goodies.....



On Saturday the 26th October we will be back there again, along with Ted and Bunny, Beyond France, Lucia CollectablesMuddy Dog, and others who, like me have been clearing out workrooms and cupboards to bring lots of lovely stock to this event.


 Doors open at 9am and the fair will finish at 2 pm. Admission for adults £1. Hope to see you there!


Address; Trull Memorial Hall, Church Road, Trull, Near Taunton. TA3 7JZ

Tuesday 15 October 2013

The Vintage Bazaar in Frome


This was Newark Antiques and Collectors Fair last Friday, a wet, cold and let's be honest, miserable scene!


I took very few photos this time, apart from on this extraordinary stand.....


Thousands of china dolls, all shapes and sizes.... laying on the soaking ground, all waiting for new homes...


I was very restrained,and just came home with one of these!



 Despite the murky weather, we had a good fair. Fortunately our next fair is inside, so we don't have to watch the weather forecast for the next few days. The Vintage Bazaar in Frome takes place next Saturday, the 19th October at The Cheese and Grain in Frome.


 We have been gathering Vintage Christmas goodies, as well as red and green ceramics and accessories perfect for the festive season.


 As always Clare and I have carefully gathered a fantastic selection of vintage stands with a mixture of stock which includes textiles, homewares, costume, handmade delights, jewellery and much more!


The Vintage Bazaar blog has more details, as well as a Facebook page here. Doors open at 9am, and the event will close at 3 pm. Admission is £1 for adults.


Sunday 29 September 2013

The Othery Vintage Textile and Rag Market





Yesterday dawned grey and wet....a rather gloomy start to our first Vintage Textile and Rag Market in Othery village hall in  Somerset.


The gloom began to lift as the hall filled with stallholders busy in the task of setting up their stands.....



It didn't take long for things to be arranged and in place...



Each stand brimming with goodies....





Despite the weather, there was a definite floral and cheery theme on many of the stands.....


 The day flew by in a blur of laughter and chat with a lovely crowd of enthusiastic customers. A big Thank you to Pam, aka Sowy Stitch for making us so welcome in her village and introducing us to all her stitching friends!


We are already planning a date to return in 2014, so watch this space for the confirmation of the next event. In the meantime, there is another West Country Textile event in Trull village hall on Saturday 26th October. Click the link here for further details.

Monday 23 September 2013



Following the busy Rag and Rummage in Trull in the Spring I met a lovely lady who has invited us to take the hall at Othery in order to run another textile event.


The date is almost upon us! Saturday the 28th of September. Doors open at 9am and the fair will finish at 2 pm. Admission is £1 for adults.


There will be a selection of stands selling everything from linens, remnants, Vintage dress fabric and patterns, lace, trimmings, buttons and much more. Refreshments available from Office Percs.

The stall holders will include.....
The Washerwoman


Stefanie Austin



Beyond France


Jo and Mandy

Russell and Susie Needham


La Camionette Bleue


Sowy Stitch


Handmaiden


Jenny Hirst Textiles
Enigma Fashions
Emma Brimble
Michelle Martin
Brenda Maynard
Ted and Bunny


There is also dedicated facebook page here to keep you up to date. Full postal address is Othery Village Hall, Fore Street, Othery, Somerset. TA7 0QS.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Treasure hunting!


Many customers ask where we find all our stock?  I often reply that it seems to find us! I am not being flippant as it does appear to happen that way. For example, the last time we were in France  a chance conversation led us to purchase a whole lot of lovely unworn old shop stock....


A shop had closed down and for some unknown reason the stock remained there untouched....


Still with the labels attached...


On another trip we heard about an auction in a chateau


All sorts of bits and bobs glinting at us through the gloom.....



These amazing traditional French hats have cleaned up rather well haven't they?


At times there is even a story attached. This pretty lace blouse belonged to the Opera singer Bianca Donadio at the end of the 19th century. The lady who sold it to us told us the story of this famous singer.


Now patiently waiting on a coathanger for The Vintage Bazaar in Hartley Wintney on September 21st.


How often does one buy a hat with the previous owner seen wearing it at her wartime wedding in 1941? I was delighted to be able to purchase both the hat and the photograph. The hat is not in pristine condition, but with a little bit of love it could be worn again.



More lovely recent finds....modelled by Flossie, my 1940s French shop mannequin, I bet she could tell some stories!