15.2.12

1950s vignettes


I've been having another cushion fest recently. I love making them, I love that there is always something big to show for surprisingly little work. Once the cutting out has been done, of course, because that always takes me a while to do. I like to get as much goodness out of each piece of fabric I cut, so there is never one that looks more desirable than another.

I mentioned recently that I'm attacking the fabric stash and these are the results of some of the vintage pieces that have been sitting on a shelf. You know the one. The shelf that holds the fabrics that, once in, rarely make it out again .. we've all got at least one of those!

This boating vignette scene from the 1950s makes me so cheerful. I was originally thinking of making a couple of girls' skirts with the fabric, but on retrospect I think it's more suited to cushions and I managed to get four satisfyingly good squares.


These stylised wading birds flying through the marshes remind me of flying wall ducks that were so popular during the 1950s and 1960s and have made a resurgence, along with all things retro.



The poppies in these photos came from a 1950s linen tablecloth. They make me happy too, with their pop of colour that will work well with any style or any colour scheme.



Finally the Viyella check (1940s or 1950s, I'm not sure which), that you may remember me using here. The fabric feels lovely and soft and these two now sport ecru vintage doilies which pick out the cream in the check. The one I made back then sits quite happily amongst my red-toned French cushions, breaking up the 'sameness' on my sofa.



It goes without saying that these will be in the new shop, opening on a computer near you, very soon.

It's + 12 degrees here today, the sun is shining, I have taken off my hat for the first time in some while and am feeling ready for Spring now. It's time for it, don't you think?

Happy week, everyone.

20 comments:

  1. Oh, I love every single one of these. I have been trying to find some fabric with birds just like that! They are all like beautiful paintings.

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  2. Soooo beautiful! Love them all!
    Hope you feel beter, Kate :o)
    Have a nice day
    Hugs
    Natasha

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  3. LOVE the boating cushion fabric. Must try making some with the tablecloths as you suggest. I have one that would be perfect........

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  4. I LOVE your cushions, especially the first one. That fabric is just beautiful, and they all look perfectly finished too. Good luck with the new shop opening! x

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  5. These are gorgeous Kate :D I'm sure the boating scene fabric is familiar from my Gran's house ... I shall have to ask my Mum. Happy sewing x

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  6. Oh my... these are gorgeous!! Just as KJ said - they are little pieces of art!

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  7. You've done it again Kate, gorgeous cushions from beautiful fabrics! I love the colours in the duck print. :)
    It's definitely spring, I'm convinced!!
    V x

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  8. What fabulous fabrics - I love them. x

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  9. These are all gorgeous, especially the boating scene print. I will be keeping my eye on your shop for those.
    Ann x

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  10. GORGEOUS - especially loving the boating fabric - can't wait for the shop grand opening. You'll have to have an opening night where we sit by our computers sipping wine...

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  11. such beautiful cushions ...
    Barbara :)

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  12. Your cushions are an absolute treat - keep changing my mind about my favourite, but at the mo the poppies have it!

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  13. I love a repurposed doily! I made some velvet and tweed cushions at Christmas with doily accents, a perfect combination of fabrics. x

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  14. 12 degrees feels so warm! Love the cushions, poppies is the happiest one for me.

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  15. I love all of your new cushions but I think the poppies might be my favourite. Enjoy your heat wave, won't you!

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  16. Ooh vyella and crochet - inspired!!! Love them. Are you in Kernow perchance? Hope so, and having a gorgeous weekend. We are whizzing down next month and I can't wait, I need my fix!

    Sarah -x-

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  17. Wow - love all these - as I scrolled down the page and saw each new cushion I thought - 'I like THAT one best' - seems I like all of them best..!

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  18. Love the top fabric. I would have been tempted to make a skirt out of it, but only after seeing a designer I like do a similar one. Probably would have ended up looking like I was wearing a cushion as I am no designer.

    Love your pin interest shot too, but am feeling very left-out when it comes to pin interest as have requested an invite about 450 times and - nothing. It's like there's a party on and I'm not invited!

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  19. Gotta love the bird cushions, I love that fabric.

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  20. I especially love the birds. You are so talented, D x

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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