Friday 20 May 2011

I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does...

Hello!
 I had to share with you, pics of what is currently gently blowing dry on my washing line.  
Very old patchwork, recently purchased, hand stitched, with the most delightful, colourful prints.  
A joyous hand crafted creation, with a story no doubt, to tell.   For me, a pleasure to own.  
 Not only have I gloried in the texture, print and coloures but also in washing it.   I find I am now of an age, I  have to admit, that buying an old textile and gently soaking it in a bucket (only if appropriate, of course) and gently stirring until the water turns an ugly brown, brings a smile of satisfaction and when the washing is complete and the piece has either been hand or machine washed and is ready to dry, the feeling is almost excitement...
Huh, what is that all about?   
Excitement used to be when Earth, Wind and Fire released a new LP.  
 Or I got asked out by the fella I fancied (sadly, that rarely happened),
receiving my wages in cash in a brown envelope and having the lot to spend on clothes and going out to the pub and dancing to Boogie Nights.  
Then life changed, I met the current husband and let's say, life got all of a sudden...different.
 Now, don't get me wrong, I am no domestic goddess. A launderess I am not.   I do not iron socks and knickers like my dear mother in law...but as time has gone by, I am getting a strange sense of deep satisfaction to have a washing line of clothing drying on a warm, blowy spring day...unlike in the winter when washing is draped over radiators and airers etc. etc.  (I am probably one of the remaining few who do not have a tumble dryer).
 So here I am, having bared my all and confessed that bringing out stains and dirt from vintage fabrics does it for me!
Oh gawwwd... 
I hasten to add that this is not my only pleasure in life :-) 
If vintage fabrics are part of your life too, don't forget that there will be many gorgeous fabric, haberdashery and vintage textiles to be had at the  vintageandhandmadetextilefair  4th June, at Chipping Sodbury.
Hope to see you there.
 Billy couldn't give a hoot!
Thanks for stopping by.x

38 comments:

Gill said...

Wow! This is stunning - where did you find it? please don't tell me you bought it in a CS for £1 !!!!

Anonymous said...

lovely post - I want a washing line now !!!!

Unknown said...

I love your washing line pics - very romantic I think xx

Joanna said...

Beautiful patchwork - I love the action shot with Billy too! Would like I to be at the fair but will be at the theatre watching David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Much Ado About Nothing, *sigh*.

x
ps I too do not iron my underpants or socks, shock horror!

silverpebble said...

Goodness Viv. That is absolutely exquisite. What a treasure! YOu must be absolutely thrilled with it.

Jennifer said...

My aunt gave me a quilt years ago and this makes me think of her and smile - I so love a wash line with crisp clean laundry on it and memories galore! Jennifer please stop by one day jennsthreegraces

Marigold Jam said...

I love that quilt what a find! No you are not the only one without a tumble drier - I don't have one either!

Elizabeth said...

Wow! such a lovely piece this is...

Vintage Jane said...

You are not alone ... no tumble drier here either! A line of billowing washing gladdens my heart too - never, ever did I think I would admit to that! Love the quilt.

Vintage Tea Time said...

No tumble drier or dishwasher here! Lovely, lovely quilt.

Mary Ann Tate said...

What a lovely quilt. I glad you found it and gave it some TLC.

I have a friend who irons socks...I don't know about underwear though?...I always thought she was a bit bonkers:)

lettice leaf said...

Like you Viv, I'm a washing line girl. The smell of newly air dried washing fresh off the line gets the hairs on the back of my neck all of a quiver.

Beautiful patchwork, does that mean even more personalised badges to buy? I do hope so. When do I need to send the cash for my order - please advise?

LLX

Emma Thomsen said...

What a beautiful piece, one could sit and stare at all those tiny detailed pieces for hours - and oh the joy of laundry! I remember being paid weekly in a small brown envelope, with the reassuringly weighty odd pieces of change. As for Earth Wind & Fire, it has to be Shining Star, with the fantastic lyrics "You're A Shining Star No Matter Who You Are!", how cool is that! Thanks for sharing your lovely fabric find. X

Enchanted Moments said...

Ah,the Smiths...

Sheeprustler said...

I have to admit to loving my tunble dryer, but there is also something special about washing on a line. Mind you, socks and school uniform does not look as good as vintage patchwork! And as for irong - I once knew a woman who ironed her husband's underwear and all of us swore her to secrecy because we did not want our husbands to find out that women like that existed!!!

irishgrrl70 said...

I used to love to iron when I was little, not so much now that I am older! The quilt is wonderful and looks lovely with the breeze moving it just so..

Thank you for sharing

jan b. said...

That quilt top is gorgeous! I even find the back side very lovely with it's seams creating texture. And you just can't beat the smell of freshly washed and air dried bed linens.

Studio 508-Nancy's Place said...

I love reading your blogs as I am incurably in love with vintage fabrics. I spent part of yesterday afternoon repairing a quilt made by my husband's Grandmother Iva, one his father literally wore out during his last months with us. Years ago, I found a bag of old quilt scraps at a flea market, and I am making patches from these pieces. I think about Iva working on these gems (we have six of them) in a corner of her living room at the end of the day, she thinking of them as economies and I as the great beauties they are today.

Studio 508-Nancy's Place said...

I love reading your blogs as I am incurably in love with vintage fabrics. I spent part of yesterday afternoon repairing a quilt made by my husband's Grandmother Iva, one his father literally wore out during his last months with us. Years ago, I found a bag of old quilt scraps at a flea market, and I am making patches from these pieces. I think about Iva working on these gems (we have six of them) in a corner of her living room at the end of the day, she thinking of them as economies and I as the great beauties they are today.

A time to dance said...

i know just what you mean viv...although i was head banging to status quo...wild child...i was thinking about you this morning as i was sewing buttons on my dress...i dont know why the buttons made me think of you...but i was sending love and hugs...

Teena Vallerine said...

Now there's a quilt to rival a sexy hexy for sure!!! x

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful - where did you get that??
(PS: I love your pictures from vandee)
~Sara

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Someone is going to know the name of that pattern. I'm thinking
'Daisy'
Do you have Biz over there?
Its so great, really brightens up vintage fabrics.
xx
j

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

There's something immensely satisfying about this particular quilt design Viv - the pleasing shapes and interlocking circles maybe? The colours and florals perhaps - who knows? What a find...... x

Bobbie Casey said...

This is my favorite post.
Just the idea of it charms and warms my heart. I know that feeling.
Your photos are very revealing showing the substance of patchwork.
Thank you for this.Such lovely color and funny, too.

Anonymous said...

I also do not own a tumble dryer,

and the gorgeous makes our laundry soap with grated sunlight soap and washing soda, just like grandma.

it smells divine and is super cheap too.

found and sewn said...

How beautiful!

JuicyFig said...

I have serious quilt envy now - what a find! love the smiths quote as well...

Kath
x

Silke Scheller said...

A beautiful patch-work and a lovely post! Be sure, you are loved!
Silke

Selfsewn said...

Hello I dont have a tumble dryer, though my neighbours must have, as I never see their washing outside!
Crazy!

xx

mycuriousteaparty said...

What a find, you must be thrilled. I am suffering from quilt envy at this moment...

I have never owned a tumble dryer can't understand why you would need one when the washing can dry for free.. Am I tight? No! Frugle, yes!

Also, no dishwasher, microwave or freezer... Or silly breadmaker.

Now don't go doing too much washing and ironing... It has a habit of leading to cleaning..... And no time for the good things in life.... Fabric, paint and paper.... and ink..


Off to make my bread.... By hand of course... Then peg out the washing on this beautiful morning... Bye for now, and thanks for a beautiful post ~ Julie

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

thanks for sharing this treasure Viv! And for reminding me of Earth, Wind and Fire and Boogie Nights ... think I'm going to go and play some of that funky music now and dance round the room before starting work for the day

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Viv,
A lovely post and a glorious textile...Having just spent two hours working my way through a pile of ironing (some of it the fun vintage stuff) I can fully appreciate your happiness in laundering your precious piece!

As you know, I've been married the same length of time as you...so can also understand the thrills that come from reaching a certain age and what it brings with it! ;-))

Good luck at the V&H - wish I could be there.
Look after yourself,
Niki x

Flaming Nora said...

Only one thing to say about that quilt. Jealous!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Just checking in on you and happy to see what is blowin' in the wind in your garden.

I simply soak my vintage textiles in distilled water. I was told to do this by a textile conservator and it removes iron and other minerals that settle into fabric through the years. It has worked so well for me.

Love the colors and pattern, I agree with Julie, it looks like Daisy.

All joys to you,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind... and what a truly beautiful answer it is too!
I must confess to be a clean sheets and laundry freak too.. It's these finer details of life that matter.. well at my age they do!

M xxxx

Elizabeth said...

Think you would like my blog this week... see you.

Jackie said...

I have a tumble dryer..I have a shady garden in the North. But nothing gladdens my heart so much as a set of white egyptian cotton bedding blowing in the sunshine, so thats what I do when I can.It smells so lovely as well. I also have a rack in the kitchen which has magical drying powers but the smell? Not so good especially after cooking !
Beautiful quilt.