New Cloths on the Block

On another grey morning there's nothing better for lifting the spirits than opening a newly arrived parcel to reveal some gorgeous blossomy barkcloth.

Cheri Vintage Cotton Barkcloth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This one I've rather cheesily named Cheri because of being rather like a Cherry blossom. Of course now that I'm looking at it again they are far more like Apple blossoms ....duh. Don't tell.

Cheri Vintage Cotton Barkcloth

 

 

 

And there's more. Big similarities in the colour ways both being printed in the best quality VAT colour dyes. 

But "Bettina" (not sure where that name came from!) is a delicate little posy repeat. 

Bettina Vintage barkcloth

Investigating the selvedge further I see the actual name is Runnymede.

Bettina Vintage Barkcloth

 So two rather beautiful but wrongly named (by me) additions awaiting your instructions on what shape and size lampshade your heart desires.

Funky Foursome

I've had a lovely start to my morning .....delivery cushions.

Funky Fabric Cushions from FollyandGlee

 A good friend has wanted for a while to brighten up her old chesterfied sofa. I suggested cushions and for a couple of weeks her living room played host to more than 20 different vintage barkcloths. After much consultation with the men of the house a decision was made. The first four cushions were to be an eyepopping combination of an original 1960s fabric from Simpson & Godlee in turquoises and oranges.

Funky barkcloth cushions from FollyandGlee

 As they sat in the hall waiting to be packed I had to snap them and share.

The recipients response......"truly scrumptious!" I thinks she's pleased.

What a grey day!

Crumbs its a gloomy old day to day out there. The furry one and I took an early and very muddy stroll first thing. We've been spoilt of late with the most wonderful pink sunrise skys but oh not to day. A grey blanket has descended upon Sussex. Not a fluffy snuggly handloomed wooly wonder of a blanket. Oh no ...more the damp, dog haired type normally found strewn in the back of removal vehicles.

There is hope. A glowing hazy blur of yellow - low in the sky and struggling to burn through the grey gloom. Sun shine will return.

Yellow and Grey Vintage Fabric Lampshades

So in celebration of all things yellow and grey I've been busy this morning and made a collective of lampshades all featuring said colours. I say collective because I'm not sure what to call a group of lampshades. A"radiance" of lampshades, an "illuminus" of lampshades, an "effulgence" perhaps.... or a an "oculus".  I don't know.

Not the best day for natural light so apologies for the quality of the photographs. They'll be winging their way into the shop when better pics allow.

Fabulous Fabric Scraps Reborn

Happy New Year to you. I do hope that you had a peaceful festive period and are emerging from the excesses refreshed.

I'm not too good at resolutions but there is a loosely formulated list of "should do's" in my head for 2012. Perhaps not at the top of the list in terms of  priorities (but certainly one of the most fun) is not wasting any fabric scraps especially the precious barkcloth bits. I would welcome your suggestions here!

Aven Barkcloth Buttons

 My trusty Little Arthur button machine has come into his own this morning and helped me put some fab covered buttons together.  

Ditsy Barkcloth Buttons

 

 

Veronica Barkcloth Buttons

 

 

 

 

Dolly Barkcloth Buttons

Tersola Barkcloth Buttons

Each card has a nice selection of sizes to play with.

Firework Barkcloth Buttons

And I figured that if they were just loosely sewn to a prescious scrap this could be removed from the laminated card and used to trim whatever clever project you have in mind.

Maddison Barkcloth Buttons

They look so cute now all lined up on the window sill that I'm wondering about just sticking them up as a bit of wall titterlation.

That can't happen til I finish decorating - nothing fancy just a freshen up. On to my second super huge tub of trade paint and still some way to go....

see you soon

x

Barkcloth Bauble Ornaments?

Just quickly checking in with six newly arrived vintage cotton barkcloths. They are all corkers so don't ask if I have a favourite. There is only one panel of each so just one or two large shades I'm afraid of each. Give me a shout at hello@follyandglee.co.uk if you need further images or lampshade sizes/shape options. 

Blurosa and Sissy Vintage Barkcloths

 I am winning a battle with myself  (just) not to go and start draping them around the house and convincing myself that I need them. 

Symli and Umerosa Vintage barkcloths

My consolation prize ..... well I might just make myself some christmas baubles from the scraps. 

Lilianda and Glynde

 I'd love to hear from anyone with an inspired idea for using up the barkcloth scraps for christmas ornaments.

For starters I'm going to retry an old favourite - the fabric scrap balls on the Lisa's wonderful  redthread blog.

the redthreadblog tutorial for fabric scrap ball ornaments

 The Red Thread is one of my absolute favourite blogs and going back to check the tutorial was still there was the perfect opportunity to also visit Lisa's shop and choose my nieces Christmas presents -

Freddie Sweetie Petite Kit

Birdie Brooch

 Go see - you'll love it.

Naming of the barkcloths

Sad to say goodbye this weekend to two shady ladies in one of my favourite barkcloths. I called it Tiffany. Something to do with reminding me of the wonderful  glamour feel of Breakfast at Tiffany's.



Tiffany Vintage Cotton Barkcloth

When I looked through an old film book ...low and behold good old Audrey is sharing the most important meal of the day with just such a red rose.

There's probably enough left for one more shade in the shop if you've fallen under her spell....the cloth that is not Audrey.

FollyandGlee

Not all the names I give my treasured fabrics make so much sense I can assure you. But I do have fun trying.

The squiggles and lines of Celia put me in mind of the AMAZING  textile designer Celia Birtwell.



Bookcover of Celia Birtwell by Dominic Lutyens



Florence is rather like something from the Magic Roundabout. 



Florence
And Malayan is named after the Himilayan Blue poppy. Right up there on my "have to see before i pop my clogs" list. The barkcloth version is gorgeous and my photos don't do it justice. Unused and still crisp off the roll too. A very lucky find.

Himalayan Wild Flowers from RedRockTrek