Regency woven wool shawl

This is my latest treasure , an early 19th cent. fine wool shawl with wonderful coloured motifs woven into a cream striped background with a hand knotted silk fringe.
A brilliant piece of costume and highly decorative item.
Not suprisingly for it's age there is damage as can be seen clearly where it is across a double bed.
It is right across the middle where it has worn through however it would still be fine if folded one way and for display the damage could be hidden.

Dorset Spinners

I am now the proud owner of this lovely Apron bearing the magnificiant head of one of the members Rams. I have always admired Ann's ( seen left spinning)
Our Hostess today Mildred who has been weaving for years scurried off to her studio and returned with this one for me, the Guild have their own design now so this is rather special.

Several of our members have their own sheep so spin the most amazing natural coloured fleece although we do have dyeing days ...can't wait for that!
We sorted my rug fringe out which was having a bad hair day,so I have learnt yet another skill today. I am all ready to start another.
I do have another rug project on the go with wonderful rustic wools I have gathered, it is a continuous knitted tube which I found in a pattern for a bag, this was the straps.
It is like French knitting only done on double ended needles and much bigger.I am hoping to make a rug by coiling it in the same way you make a braided rug.....watch this space.
Another spinner has used the idea to bind the edge of a knitted patchwork,very effective

Cornish Birthday break 4 girls and 4 dogs in a boathouse

Lerryn Cornwall is a spot my friend Yvonne fell in love with years ago and visits when she can as she and her friends can take their dogs. The Ship Inn owns a boathouse overlooking the Fowey Estuary. The food at the pub is excellent and it is just five mins.walk Just the place for a girls break to celebrate her birthday.We had great fun.... two of them sing so Mama Mia was a must !
Lots of dog walking up the Estuary ..we were sooo lucky with the weather good food good company ,hoots of laughter no phone signal what more can you ask for a break . Thanks for asking me girls

Rug finished!!

My first attempt at weaving is now off the loom and an object in it's own right.
I like the idea of making a piece of fabric out of left-overs. This would be ideal in a place where you wanted to get your feet off a cold floor as it is really chunky and cosy. I thought it was quite good on a cold bathroom floor ,I am sure a bit of damp would felt it nicely.
I am now attempting my first solo attempt at re stringing my loom ( I am sure there must be a professional term for that) I await the verdict of my friend and tutor Eileen who is an expert.We have a wonderful barter arrangement , fabric and buttons in exchange for tuition, works really well for both of us. Eileen went off with a collection of Japanese fabric and I can't wait to see what she does with those! she was very excited about the designs.
It is great how we all exchange ideas and everything goes a step further and another cycle of inspiration is sparked off.
I have been allowed to join the Upwey Spinners and weavers group after being invited as a guest on occasions, by friends Sara and Eileen.They are a great group and I have learned so much useful information from them.It is a whole day set aside to being creative in a sociable group. My knitting skills are improving no end and they are all wonderful cooks , keen gardeners

and avid readers. So I have something to look forward to tomorrow, this time we are on a farm.

Itchy feet !

The local newspaper has started featuring Brittany Ferries special offers ! it seems ages since we got on a ferry across to France , definitely got itchy feet. So we will get the calender out and do some planning to go and top up on goodies in time for Talent for Textiles at Ilminster on April 1st and Cowslip Workshops Launceston Cornwall Easter weekend..... our first shows of the season for textiles.
Feb. 1st will see us on the road to London to do Anita's vintage fashion fair at Battersea Arts Center Lavender Hill. Luckily we have a good friend to stay with Sat night as if you are not outside the venue early, parking becomes a lottery.
Do watch my diary on my web site www.antiquequiltsandtextiles.co.uk that will always give details of coming events.
If you have particular items you are looking for let me know and I will e mail you if I come across them

The Reunion

I am thrilled to have been able to get together with my good frien Marilyn after a few years gap as she lives 200 miles off the North East Coast of Scotland !
The Shetland Isles are nearer to Norway than Scotland and in fact it used to belong to Norway until I think it was given as a dowry.
I have visited twice and loved it! The bird and wildlife is just amazing and everywhere, the people friendly and there is just so much going on!
Lots of art, music and culture, crafts abound,wool playing a huge part in all aspects of life and industry.
Fair Isle is just a short hop south and there are tweeds and wool mills on Shetland itself.I came home with both from visiting the Jamison's Mills and shop and they have been incorporated in my throws and bags over the years.
Marilyn runs a superb friendly B&B with a view down the Voe to die for and just within easy reach of Lerwick , which is both picturesque and thriving. Have a look at her web site www. windrush-shetland.co.uk click on the web links there for more on Shetland.
It still has strong links with Norway( Viking remains abound ) and a great link with "downunder" as many Shetlanders went there for work in the wool trade so there are relatives in both Australia and New Zealand and lots of to-ing and fro-ing between there and Shetland.
On one trip I met a weaver who experimented in weaving with all sorts of unusual materials and on her floor was a rug made of recycled fair isle sweaters and it has stayed with me in my mind all these years and with the help of my friend Eileen Sarup textile artist weaver and felter I have started my own with pieces left over from my patchwork Fair Isle throws this is no 9 above

















The result is really interesting, I think if it is felted down a bit it will make a hard wearing rug. I look forward to experimenting with perhaps a mix of tweeds too.
The rug frame was made for me to make " proddy " rugs copied from an old Northumbrian frame , something I not done yet dispite my Geordie background.
I am pleased to be able to put it to use in this way for now.

Another rescue project !

I can't resist trying to rescue an abandoned piece of handworked textile ! all that thought and effort often deserves another life.
This is a really fascinating mixture of pieces of canvaswork and embroidery ,some of quite an age I would imagine. It came to me in a sorry state ,found on the floor of a market,the colours caught my eye and dispite the really horrible cheap covering that it was mounted on to make it a cushion cover I could picture it on the wall as a piece of art.
David made me a wooden frame so it would stand away from the wall which we painted matt black and I fabric glued it to the front ,I did not want to lose the origional backing fabric of the piece which was revealed when the rest was removed.
I am really pleased with the result and it is now on my kitchen wall where I can study it and muse as to it's age and who did the work. My god daughter was the first to see it and was so enthusiastic I have offered her the second piece that came with it.