The Washerwoman

Sunday, 27 March 2011

The New Textile and Decorative Marquee at Newark


The organisers of  The Newark Antique Fairs have been incredibly helpful over the past few weeks. They have given 4 of us our very own marquee! We had all been finding it difficult to sell textiles and vintage clothing at such a huge fair as there is just so much to see over a large area and customers do not always find us.


We knew the formula worked well at Ardingly, where 4 of us are grouped together in one place. Like-minded customers now know where to find us (near the refreshment stand at Ardingly)


At The Newark Fair we are in marquee  9A, which is near the shippers area and The Lady Eastwood. The 4 of us at Newark are Michele (above 3 images from her beautiful stand at Shepton Mallet last week)


Maud from Beyond France with her fantastic range of linen, rugs, bags and much more................


My stand will have an eclectic mix of Vintage costume, vintage knitwear, textiles, trimmings, buttons and French Treasures.


Alan brings from France more wonderful goodies. Anybody who has seen his stand at the Bath Fair will know that his stock is extensive. Vintage shoes jostle for space with fabric covered boxes, piles of wonderful fabric and trimmings.


The next Fair in Newark is on Thursday the 7th of April to Friday the 8th. Click on the website link here for details of opening times. It is one of the largest fairs in the country, so not to be missed!

Saturday, 12 March 2011

Pretty Patchwork Pieces, Dolls and Chairs!


 This patchwork has a beautiful soft palette of colours. It isn't quite finished so that whoever buys it from me at the coming Antique fairs will have a little bit of work to do...



 There are some quite delicious cottons in the design. I would say that it dates from the 1930's and 1940's .



 It came with a later set of patchwork pieces, I am guessing from the 1970s?


Some are already sewn into usable shaped pieces, but this bag is brimming with a whole big project!


I will be bringing all these items and more to The Shepton Mallet 3 day Antiques Fair at the Bath and West showground in Somerset this coming weekend. Click on the link to reach the IACF website for full details of opening times. Please note that complimentary tickets can only be used on the Saturday and Sunday.


As well as my usual costume, textiles and decorative bits and bobs, I am also taking a selection of small pieces of furniture. All being well (and weather permitting) we should be able to display items outside at the front of the tent....


Tuesday, 8 March 2011

Lace........................



I was recently fortunate in having the opportunity to purchase this collection of beautiful lace. It would appear to have been several Edwardian dresses at one time.....


But for some reason they have been totally dismantled  - and now come in "kit form" for some talented person to put back together.....


My Vintage mannequin is doing her best to give you an idea.......


I will be bringing this collection of lace to the Talent for Textiles Fair in Ilminster on Saturday. The event is held in the Meeting House at the top of the High Street. Always a lovely occasion, the small hall will be brimming with textiles and treasures, and there will be stalls outside too.


The doors open at 9.30, so might see you there?

Sunday, 6 March 2011

The First Vintage Jumble Sale


You saw it here!


Pictures taken on the day of the first Vintage Jumble Sale in Rangeworthy, near Bristol.
The brainchild of Jayne and Michele (aka The Vintage and Handmade gals!)


The tables were groaning with treasures...


 Prices were soooooo reasonable...


 It was just like stepping back in time to the heady days of my teens when there were plenty of these events on a Saturday......




 Not only was there a fantastic atmosphere,, it was a great opportunity to chat to old friends and make friends with quite a few new ones. Watch this space for the date of the next event as I am sure there has to be another one... once the residents of Rangeworthy have recovered from the "Vintage invasion".


Friday, 4 March 2011

Busy days.....


It has certainly been a hectic few weeks at Washerwoman HQ. Spring is in the air and I have been washing and ironing like a crazy woman. Here a few of the gorgeous items that will be coming with me on my travels over the next few weeks....



 Oyster coloured 50's Duster coat, size 14.... teamed here with a mint condition size 16-18 50's pink dress (still with original shop label!)
......CC41 Utility dresses and pinnies.....


 Flossie is modelling a selection of beautiful 40's knitwear. All with their original scrummy buttons.




 A new collection of 40's inspired hats are a new find.



Moygashel 40's print dress with spring flowers... and a printed velvet wrap-over jacket by "Valerie" of London.



I have also managed to get a few items for the chaps too! Evening shirts, studs and scarves. Hope to see you somewhere at one of the many fairs taking place this month. See the sidebar for details of where I will be. Although Some of the dates do clash with other events, so I am not able to attend every single one! if anyone would like a comp ticket for Shepton Mallet Antique Fair - please leave a message via the blog. Thank You.