The Spring pop-up Textiles, Fabrics and Costume Sale Saturday 10th February 2018

The Washerwoman presents.....

The Spring pop-up Textiles, Fabrics and Costume Sale
Saturday 10th February 2018. 9 am to 2 pm
at Lydeard St Lawrence Village Hall, near Taunton. TA4 3SE

A grand rummage with Antique and Vintage textiles and fabrics including dress fabrics, florals, linens, French toile, upholstery fabrics, haberdashery, trimmings, scrap-bags and buttons, together with a collection of Vintage costume including 1930s and Wartime dresses.

Linen and Cotton bolts of fabric ideal for making cushions

Antique floral textiles including French toile

Gorgeous old block printed Indigo.....

 Free admission and ample parking

Happy 3rd Blog-day!

 After a manic day at the Shepton Flea market, I returned home to the fact that unbelievably today is my blogs 3rd Birthday!

 So here, hurriedly cobbled together are a few washing-line related images to mark the occasion!

 A HUGE Thank You to all my lovely followers and customers who visit my stand at the various fairs up and down the country.

The final picture is very tongue in cheek, but it made me smile! (Don't try it Mr Mangle!)

Costume for Sport and other Activities......

I have recently aquired a small quantity of fashion booklets and magazines. I have had a lot of fun looking through them all. My favourite chapters have been those dedicated to costume worn for various sports.

Anyone for tennis? The first 3 photos are taken from The Gallery of English Costume, published in 1963. The model is wearing a tennis dress from 1883, the 2nd photo showing the detail of her belt and raquet cover.

 Next is a tennis dress from 1896-1900, followed by this knitted ensemble from The Needlewoman magazine of June 1934.

Still a little way to go before we can see something that one might actually be able to run around a court in!

 This tennis dress dates from 1938 and is made from cream twilled wool, and it is possible that one could win a game or two as long as it wasn't a very hot day.

This is one of my faves, a Croquet dress from 1860-65, can you imagine trying to play even something as gentile as croquet in this?

Cycling dress 1897-1902... rather groovy for the time...

 Another fab design from The Needlewoman - 1924. A knitted dress for Boating, not a pretty vision if you got it wet!

I could rattle on for hours sharing these, but have left my fave until last. "Gardening may be done in several ways. You may, clad in linen overall, labourisly pick up weeds, strenuously mow the lawn or ruthlessly dig up daisy roots.." it goes on to say that The knitted flower coatee is ideal for gentle gardening.. "let your efforts in the garden not be too strenuous". An impossibility in this outfit! I will be bringing these booklets along with a selection of Vintage clothing, Textiles, trimmings and Linens to The 60th Talent for Textiles Event in Bath on Thursday the 1st of September at The American Museum. BA2 7BD. The Fair opens at 10 and ends at 5pm. Do contact me or Elizabeth Baer if you would like an invitation to this unique event. The ticket also allows entry into the museum and exhibition of Marilyn Monroe dresses. After that I will be busy selling at both Antique and Vintage fairs, see sidebar for details.

Two amazing Fairs in two days....

 Sometimes it is hard to decide how to post about fairs. Do you write a before or after account?

My problem this week has been that I have attended two very different fairs for the first time. It is not a lot of help to you (the potential customer/happy shopper) to hear about a marvellous event that you have just missed!

...... So, the purpose of this post is to make sure everyone knows about these two events & get them in the diary for 2012 now!

 The Decorative Living Fair at Eridge Park (near Tunbridge Wells) is an annual event which takes place in May. The perfect month for this beautiful fair.

 The above photos are of my stand, I should have taken more of other people's, but as I didn't know a lot of them I didn't have enough time to ask permission and introduce myself. (something I feel strongly about if one is going to use other people's images on the blog).

 Su  and Jill from The Blue Linen Cupboard had a stunning stall of French treasures....

 This is Jacquie's stand (aka Kitty). I returned to several times to buy myself little treats. Sadly couldn't persuade Mr W that we needed the glorious green kitchen cupboard!

 It was the detail and finishing touches that made this stand special.

 Outside the scene was breathtaking...Beyond the marquee's and outdoor stands was this view!

The outdoor stalls were full of gorgeous garden furniture, plants, Linens, flower pots and of course a cafe where one could purchase refreshments to enjoy in the outdoor seated area.

At the end of a fantastic day at Eridge, it was time to bundle all my stock into the van and head West to here.....

Another stunning location for a Textile fair.

 A selection of the stands from the Avalon Textile and Decorative Fair. It really was the most amazing location for an event. The 14th century Abbey Barn looked incredible, it was hard not to look up at the roofspace (instead of concentrating on setting up the stand!)

 The strings of lighting were perfect to illluminate the space. The stalls were of the highest quality, from buttons and trimming to sumptuous beaded evening wear.

 ..from cupboards, mirrors and yachts!

 I do not know if there is to be another event at this location, so all I can say is watch this space and I will let you know!

The Washerwoman's winter collection!

The return of the good weather has meant that I have been able to dig into my storage crates to see what winter clothing I have squirrelled away over the past 6 months.

Waistcoats and tweed jackets from the 1940's and 50's have been steamed and hung out on the washing line to air.

1940's pinnies come in all shapes and sizes

 Beautiful hand knitted rainbow coloured  fingerless mittens from deepest Devon. Although we are experiencing a fabulous "Indian Summer" a girl has to think ahead.

Locally made hand knitted cardigans and jumpers. 

Last years "best seller" scarves in all colours! The above will be coming with me to The Vintage Fair in Bath this coming Sunday, and then onwards to Ardingly Antiques Fair on Tuesday.

More than a touch of Nostalgia!

Today I took a short visit "back in time" to the 1970's - well, a mock-up of a 70's boutique in Shepton Mallet. I would have liked to have visited earlier in the week when everything was happening there. Unfortunately I had chosen to host one of my Sales at Home on Thursday so was unable to get over to experience the 70's. Niki has done a brilliant job on her blog of  documenting the final part of the filming.

Anyway, I was there to collect the garments I had supplied for the making of the final part of the programme they have been filming there all summer.

A bit silly of me to wear a black linen skirt, I might have known there would be a white shag pile carpet in the boutique. I managed to get plenty of white hairs on my clothing as I sorted through the bags of stock! The interior was really funky and pretty authentic looking too. It would be great if somebody could open a vintage shop there, the décor is already in place!

Another shop that I would have loved to have visited when it was open was the 70's record shop with some tantalising covers displayed in the window. Had most of these albums.. needless to say. (except the Tom Jones as that was in my mum's collection!)

But of course no trip to Shepton Mallet is complete without a visit to Niki's shop. I thought this wedding inspired window was just beautiful. As usual I treated myself to something from the shop. I will blog that  another day!

PS I do not have any photos of my Home Sale, but hoping some of the following might have taken a few pics.... Sallie.... Tracey....or Clare might be able to oblige! Thank you to everyone who came to my sale on Thursday, it was a fab day despite the weather.

This week I have mostly been buying hats!

The title of this post reminds me of a character in the Fast Show from the 1990's, very silly but Jesse's diets made me laugh!

The collection of hats date mainly from before the 2nd World War.

Some of them even have their original shop tickets

Aren't they wonderful? My vintage mannequin is certainly enjoying trying them all on!

This coming weekend I am selling at the Exeter Flea market on Saturday, then at the Shepton Mallet Flea market at the Bath and West Showground on Sunday. I plan to bring a selection of these to both fairs. Hope to see some of you there?