Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The story of a fabric


I often buy fabric from the oppy and start to wonder.....

  • Where did it come from?
  • Why was it never used?
  • How did it end up here?
and more importantly....

  • What can I make from it?
This piece of vintage fabric didn't come to me via the op shop, so I actually had the pleasure of knowing a bit of the story behind it.

A friends mum (who is in her 70's), was helping to clean out the house of another friend, who had sadly passed away many years ago. The son was still living in the house, and hadn't thrown anything away.

My friends mum spotted the fabric stash, and immediately knew that I would love it (and she was sooooo right)! So, instead of going to the oppy, the fabric stash made its way to my house.

Of all of the bits and pieces, this is my favourite - there are two panels which have been made into curtains, and then another few metres of the original fabric with the selvedge still attached. The selvedge has '100% cotton Tahiti print' .

So this is my first 'Tahiti' creation....

26 comments:

Mrs Button said...

Perfect Curly Pops fabric! Makes me think of spring, tropical islands and cocktails. Nice to know the history of the fabric. Lisa.

littlechrissy said...

I'm a big, big fan of op-shop fabric. Your bag suits this print perfectly... very summery.

Georgie Love said...

ooh! that fabric is gorgeous! I love it!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

That is stunning. What a lovely summer bag.

I agree, nice to know the provenance of things.

Tania Verdez said...

that is beautiful fabric! What a score! A few years ago the mother of a friend of friend passed away and she was in the rag trade. the kids didn't want anything, so a lot of her things found their way to me. It was amazing- no fabric, but lots of haberdashery and an amazing old industrial singer sewing machine with the original receipt from when she bought in 1952 in Amsterdam. I also got a collection of vintage designer handbags all still in their dust bags. Amazing the things people throw away!

willywagtail said...

It is amazing when such beauties have not been used but so lucky for us too. Cherrie

yardage girl said...

Great fabric and lovely bag. Lucky duck!

Ange Moore said...

I love the fabric - it seems to be so you (perfect match to your blog header!!). Love the bag too. I'm also a fabric op-shopper - often buying stuff just because it needs a nice home and I'm sure I'll be inspired one day!!

dorothybills..... said...

Great fabric, the bag you made looks fantastic!!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

That is fabulous fabric! It's great too that your creations are unique and inspiring enough that we think of you when we see certain fabrics.

As I also use vintage fabrics, I also love imagining the life of them before they came to me. It's part of the vintage magic.

Swirlyarts said...

That is a beautiful fabric! I have a pair of curtains I bought from a charity shop which still had the selvedge sewn up along the bottom - it was obviously the thing to do back then!

Gina said...

What a perfect fabric. The bag looks great. I love it. I do so hope to one day inherit some great person's fabric stash. No one in my family sews or crafts though... never mind.

bec said...

wow, beautiful fabric! I'd make child a skirt, too, and me a bag, and stuff...oh, and lazy op shopper, you, making them come to you- secretly jealous!

Jennifer Rose said...

very lovely fabric :D the colours are perfect

Robyn said...

Isn't it lovely. I'm the same I always wonder about the old textiles I collect (and wonder if I should feel guilty for chopping up someones pride and joy lol.

Beautiful bag.

Pippi creates said...

Gorgeous fabric, and it suits the bag perfectly. I love it when you come across finds like this, or, as I like to think, when they are lucky enough to find their way to YOU). I have a similar story you reminded me of which I am going to going to post about right now! Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

What gorgeous fabric, and I love what you have done with it too!

julia said...

It matches your header!

Elizabeth said...

that fabric is so YOU!

and lucky you! i love passed-on fabric - with a bit of a story to it!

i'm sure you have some lovely curtains. :)

JuliaB said...

Why don't oppy's in the UK have lovely fabri like that???

Michelle said...

cam...gorgeous fabric...
I too love to know the story behind op shop treasures...
I makes it so much more personal and meaningful when you make something out of it...

Nikki said...

It is good to wonder about the history of Op Shop finds. The Tahiti print is gorgeous, especially as a bag rather than curtains!

How do you part with all the stuff you make? There must be some things you really love, like this bag. I guess you can't keep everything... but...

Stacy Kraus McDonald said...

Oooohhh, love the fabric! Nice bag...

Christina Lowry said...

So nice to see such gorgeous fabric go to such a fabulous crafter! I'm sure the previous owner would be smiling now to see this fantastic bag. :)

Katie said...

drooooool, I love it!

Anonymous said...

It's been lovely catching up on your blog this morning Cam these bags are gorgeous and the kids ones a few posts back are wonderful too LOVE them those kids ones would be great for big kids too! and I am loving your brooch collection too, such eye candy everywhere, you have been soooo busy, have a good one at the market tomorrow!! xx