THE ANTIQUE LINEN CUPBOARD

The latest auction purchases - Old Bleach to Paisley

2012-02-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

Last week took me back to Yorkshire for the Vintage Costume, Textiles, Dolls and Teddy Bears sale. I don't buy dolls - I hope the doll collectors out there forgive me if I say that I find old dolls a bit scarey.... I think it's the eyes that seem to follow you about and they often have a very self-satisfied smile on their faces. However, I was very glad that I am not a doll buyer as this sale had some very expensive ones....

This Jules Steiner doll was estimated in the catalogue at £400 - £600 but actually sold for £4900.. when commission is added on that will be £5780!

These 19th Century Miniature Dolls were estimated at £120 - £180 but sold for £2100.

This German wooden toy laundry set, including mangle, clothes stands, wooden buckets, in a pine box did appeal to me - I'm glad I have an automatic washing amchine to wash all my linens now however! I need it to wash all the white linens that I bought. Several unused linens with the original paper labels

I also bought a box with a number of Christening dresses and a beadwork and tapestry screen

And an antique paisley shawl and other shawls including the edging from a paisley shawl - perfect for crafts.

And finally, two Durham quilts... one plain pink and the other a pink patchwork one

Second World War household linens - Utility Mark

2012-01-29T04:17:00.000-08:00

The auction this week brought a large lot of unused Utility Mark household linens.

They were still in the original brown paper wrapping..all tied up with string.

Some had the original paper labels

I wonder why they were bought and never used? Maybe they were intended for "the bottom drawer" and due to the war the wedding was never to be.

The Utility Mark was introduced towards the end of 1941 by the British government with several purposes in mind.

Raw materials (cloth, wool, leather etc.) were in short supply and had to be conserved. Manufacturers needed to become more efficient in their working practices (Much of the skilled labour had left to fight in the war). Clothing prices needed to be kept down so that the civilian population could afford clothing of a reasonable quality. The government took control of the import and manufacture of raw materials and supplied cloth etc. to manufactures.

Manufactures were encouraged to produce a limited range of garments and other household linens and therefore produce longer runs. This obviously increased efficiency while reducing the choice available.

The style of items produced were also subject to 'austerity' regulations, which restricted how much cloth was used. For example on clothing, pockets were restricted, a maximum length for men's shirts was introduced and a ban on turn ups for men's trousers caused much heated debate.

So in my haul were cream pure wool blankets, pure brushed cotton blankets and cotton twill sheets. The latter are so strong that they will last decades of use unlike the thin cotton sheets of today. Also tucked into one of the parcels were several Irish linen glass cloths and men's hankies

Finally, I had to include a photo of one of the adverts from the newspaper that was wrapped around the sheets. Modern washing machines of the time......apparently labour saving devices?

A textile treasure box!

2012-01-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

So this week at the auctions I came across an eclectic mixture of textiles! I bought a box which was very much a case of "not judging a book by it's cover".

Yes, it looked like this on the outside, and not much more interesting at first glance inside as the top layer was a quantity of old 1950's green shiny damask curtains, but it turned out to be a virtual treasure chest underneath ....

Lots of interesting textiles but a very strange mixture to all come from the same household!

Harris tweed fabrics in several different colours.

A white Irish linen surplice - complete with page from original catalogue from 1935.

Lots of lace collars and other Swiss lace trim.

Ladies silk hankies commemmorating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

And lots of white Irish linen napkins - not a set of 4 or 6 amongst them!

All this along with the curtains, several pillowcases full of holes and three bottles of hand cream!

First auctions of 2012!

2012-01-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

So it's back to the auctions for the first time this year - 2012! As is the way, there hasn't been an auction for around three weeks due to the Xmas period and then this week there are six - some held on the same day so impossible to get to them all! So, I have had to decide which ones to attend, which to leave commission bids and which to avoid all together!

The first purchase this year was a box of Victorian baby clothes.

They don't look very inspiring in the box however now that they have been washed and pressed........

A great improvement!

At the bottom of the box was a lot of lace and Swiss embroidery trim. As the dresses all came from the same family (Alexander family)and were all hand stitched presumably the lace had been saved from other baby clothes and was awaiting use on more garments.

So now it's ready and available for you crafters out there to use to embellish and create something new.

Another auction tomorrow so I'll get the bidding paddle ready!

Christmas greetings from The Antique Linen Cupboard

2011-12-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy over the last few weeks that I haven't had time to update the blog. All those linen lovers and crafters out there have been buying like fury - I'm not complaining however! This little robin redbreast provided a flurry of bidding and was very well received when he reached his new owner.

Victorian embroidered monograms have also proved very popular. I know that some buyers incorporated them into cushions or bags and others have simply been framed for a simple but personal gift.

I have also sold lots of small embroidered floral scraps and narrow lace for use in christmas cards. Like Victorian Xmas greetings cards - too pretty to put in the recycling box when Xmas is over!

So finally, I hope that you all have a festive and merry Christmas and wish you a happy New Year!

A lovely day out ..and lots of new stock.

2011-12-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely day on Wednesday. OK, so I had to set off at 7.15am to the depths of the countryside, sit in a very cold, draughty cattle market shed and then concentrate very hard on the "machine-gun" delivery of a sale by a cattle market auctioneer (if you have seen sheep or cattle being sold you will know what I mean!). Some of the locals who attend bring their own cushion, blanket, flask of coffee and sandwiches and have a day out ( sitting in a cold, leaky wooden shed for hours?) ...they are made of stern stuff in the Northumberland countryside. But I bought some great textiles....quilts, linen sheets and pillowcases, damask cloths, lace, tapestries, blankets and embroidered tablecloths. There will be more but I haven't unloaded all the car yet!

A bit like this one but fortunately (given the weather in the North East) it all fits inside!

This is a sample of some of the quilts - very typical of the Victorian period and now very sought-after roses and paisley designs.

And superb hand stitched quilted designs - the hours of work involved is incredible.

At this auction the lots are all tied up very tightly into bundles so it is impossible to really view any of the items before buying. It is really like buying blind but it does make it interesting when you get your purchases. Have I bought a bundle worth twice or three times what I paid for it?....or do I just have a lot more cleaning cloths! (Let me tell you I need more cleaning cloths like a I need a hole in the head). So now to explore some more lots - fingers crossed these ones have some treasures amongst them!

Getting ready for (dare I say it?) Xmas!

2011-11-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Every year I have to tidy up the "sitting" room so that it can be used for Xmas. From January to the end of November it is called the "linen" room and the chairs and sofas are hidden under piles of sheets, tablecloths, doilies and quilts. In fact, my husband forgot the colour one of the sofas as he hadn't seen it for months! This means first of all trying to find the time to get as much as possible washed and ready for selling. (I do have baskets like the ones below but I don't have a room this large unfortunately!)

If only we had the weather to hang it all outside like they do in India!

Then the remainder is stashed under beds, in the attic and in the garage. One day I dream of having a garage that looks like...................

Instead of like................................(actually this is tidy compared to our garage)

However, the trip to the garage today did unearth a box of linens that I stashed away last year and forgot about. Inside was a quantity of long white linen surplices that will be ideal for a choir or even more seasonally as costume for the angels in the Nativity play! So now, back to the washing machine and the ironing board!

Expert needlework skills - embroidery everywhere!

2011-11-12T01:53:00.000-08:00

Sales have started to pick up pace for Xmas. Every year, I resolve to be ready in good time for the buying season with lots of stock laundered and photographed...and every year is just as the last - me rushing around trying to cram 36 hours into 24!
This year hand embroidery is very popular - more so I think than it has been for a long time.

This is a tablecloth currently selling and was bought along with others from a house in Northumberland.

By the same hand - expert needlework skills!

And Crinoline Ladies (or Southern Belles as they are called in the States) remain as popular as ever.

I have also bought this week a collection of hand embroidery tablecloths and napkins with a European flavour. Danish Hebedo embroidery, English whitework, Italian Reticella and Cyprus Lefkara work.

Each corner and border motif has a different design infill

This one has the English Rose, Scottish Thistle and the Irish Shamrock in the design

Ideal for the Xmas table or as gifts - now can I get them laundered, ironed and ready for selling in time?

Exhibition of Vintage Costume & Textiles

2011-10-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

An auction house in Yorkshire,Tennants, is hosting an exhibition and sale of vintage costume and textiles. Whilst there are only a couple of the type of items that I buy to sell - quilts and Victorian whitewear - the catalogue has been a delight to look through. This is loveliest quilt that I have seen for a long time

Too good surely to sleep under!

And this one is a fabulous example of an Elizabeth Sanderson Star quilt. Elizabeth Sanderson lived in the North of England and developed a school of professional quilt markers (called stampers) in the 19th century and many of these quilts survive especially her favourite design which was the eight pointed star. She was a pupil of George Gardiner of Allenheads who developed a reputation for marking out the patterns on to quilt tops. The quilts would then be sold and would be stitched by another person. I have some Durham and patchwork quilts for sale at the moment but nothing as good as these!

The other lot which took my eye is not a textile or costume item but it is remarkable.

A perfectly proprtioned 1930's doll's kitchen room set. It is complete with dresser, table, chairs and the tiniest detail has been remembered - cheese grater, whisk and rolling pin! (Click on the photos to enlarge)

This exhibition is well worth a look if you are in the area.

Off to windy Scotland for linens!

2011-09-20T01:15:00.000-07:00

Last week I went off to Scotland - Dundee - for an auction. Yes, I know it is a long way to go ...165 miles in fact.. but the catalogue showed a large number of lots of linen and the deciding factor was that one of my daughters goes to University there so I had a free bed for the night!

Dundee is a city known in the past for the three "J's" - Jam, Jute and Journalism. So maybe it is not surprising to find linens - in Victorian times it was renowned for it's textile mills - most of them now have been converted into student accomodation!

Dundee is also known as the sunniest city in Scotland but I happened to make this trip on one of the windiest days of the year......

The turbines at the wind farms were whizzing around like toy windmills. I like the turbines..I think they have a sculptural look but I know that many people think they detract from the landscape.

So into the auction and it took me a good hour or more to look at all the linens..why do auctioneers insist on putting boxes of linens and textiles under tables, behind sofas so that it is a) hard to find them and b) hard on the knees to look at them.

The best lot was in two old trunks - they were full of unused sheets, pillowcases, damask tablecloths and napkins.

As you may be able to make out from the photos, a real mixed bag of textiles. Many of them from a Miss Campbell who, like the lady in the previous post, liked to leave notes to her family about who should have what .... the family obviously didn't heed her words!

I have to say that the porters were very friendly and very helpful and carried everything out and packed them into the car for me.

Then the long drive back home to sort, wash, and take photos ready for selling. I love the point on the drive home from Scotland just after Carter Bar when, apart from the road that you are driving on, there is no evidence of human habitation - just hills, moors and maybe a sheep or two

More auction treasures.......

2011-09-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

This week I bought a couple of boxes of textiles from a local auction - a real mixed lot! There were linen sheets, linen pillowcases, lace edgings, tablecloths, monogrammed towels and a bag with vintage clothing. What made it really interesting was that in the past someone (I assume a woman as I can't imagine a man doing this!) wrote little notes about many of the items and slipped them inside the linens. So in the clothing bag were two beautiful silk shawls below............................... this red one

........and this cream shawl with butterflies and flowers hand embroidered across the whole shawl.

There was also a hand worked lace collar

With an accompanying note to say that the collar had been worn by "my mother on her going away dress Aug 1902"

There was also a gorgeous silk camisole or chemise that had a note to say that it was part of the same lady's going away clothes. The camisole is all hand stitched.

The sheets had notes to say that they were embroidered by Auntie Tilly Donkin and then suggested that they be given to one of the boys in the family if they "managed" to find a wife. Obviously, they couldn't be trusted to look after the sheets without a wife! And presumably, they never found a wife (or at least one who wanted to inherit the linen sheets). There are more treasures in these boxes to come to light yet .. and more notes!

Scrap bag embroidery and lots of antique lace

2011-08-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

I buy most of my linens at auction and as with all bulk purchases of antique and vintage linens it is inevitable that there will be tablecloths and other textiles with some damage. And I am incapable of throwing away damaged items if they are nicely embroidered or have pretty lace. For a number of years I have kept several embroidered "patches" in the hope that one day I will find time to do something with them! I had harboured the grand idea of a patchwork quilt with every other patch having an embroidered motif. However, I have decided to cull the stash........hence the new listings on eBay of "Scrap bag collections" of embroidered patches and lengths of lace.

Most of the embroidery squares are relatively small but ideal to mount as a greeting card or in a lavender heart. Lace and broderie anglais trim makes a pretty addition too.

This is a photo of a lavender heart sent to me by a buyer of some of the fabrics - if you make anything from my scrap bag collections send me a photo and let me show it on here to inspire everyone else!

Textiles auction fever!

2011-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last two days going back and forward to Yorkshire to Tennants auction house - yesterday to view and today to go to the actual sale. An absolute feast of textiles and very well attended (too well maybe as I was out-bid on several lots!). There does not seem to be much evidence of a recession in the auction world - lots of high prices paid for items so I was pleased to be successful with the lot below -

There is a lovely quilt made up of padded hexagons all in gorgeous pink roses and lilac floral fabrics and the rest of the lot is lace trimmings, lace flounces and ribbons. Perfect for all those crafts.

I was tempted by the lot below - I love "rooting" around in mixed lots like this and coming across unexpected finds. It had needle cases, thimbles, old perfume bottles, old tins

Another temptation (if only they would fit!) were the Yves St Laurent suit and the Panache dress and matching jacket. Clothes make up a large portion of the sale; everything from hats to shoes, mens clothes to baby's, 1800's to present day.

I resisted the suits and went for the collection of baby clothes and bonnets. Now I have to sort them all, wash them, repair if necessary and then list them for sale.................I may be some time!

More 1940's style!

2011-08-11T01:10:00.000-07:00

This coming week I am continuing the 1940's theme with some dresses - two 1940's style and the third a genuine period dress. The gloves really complete the outfit, although having worn gloves on the night of the party (see previous post) I do wonder how the women of the time got anything done! I had those gloves on and off all night - now I know why finger food was not introduced to parties until the 60's!

This one has quite a classic look to it - peep-toe sandals and a smart hat and maybe (if you can "do" fur) the fur wrap or cape below.

This last one is the original home made item. Probably used more as a day dress than for occasions.

Now just the gloves!

All are either listed on eBay now or coming up for sale later this week. Just need the Glenn Miller Band and to learn how to swing!

1940's style - accessories are everything!

2011-08-06T02:19:00.000-07:00

I bought a large quantity of 1940's era hats last week at a local auction. These three are some of the twenty-odd that all came from the same house. They were in old hat boxes which are also for sale on eBay at the moment along with the hats. I think that a hat box is essential to stop damage, dust and denting and you can keep all the accessories in one too - gloves (a must for a lady of the 40's), little clutch purse, maybe a little spotted scarf.

The 1940's look is still very popular, both as a fashion statement and for re-enactment or fancy dress. These hats in fact came a little too late for my own use unfortunately! In June I was invited to a 50th birthday party which was themed in 1940's wartime style. It was a great party, held in a period village hall all decked out in patriotic bunting and everyone stepped up to the mark and dressed in period. The culinary masterpiece was the Fish & Chip van that had been booked to provide supper and the cake table (the Party Girl was invited to judge on the best cake!) provided dessert.

As a present, 24 girlfriends had each made a square which (with help!) I put together to make a patchwork quilt. Each square is different obviously - from embroidery to sequins, applique to screen print. Then a border and backing in black velvet and "tied" with glass crystal beads at the corners of each square for a "bit of bling"

We managed to keep it a secret from her and I think (hope) that it was a lovely surprise and a keepsake to remind her of the night and her friends.

Flowers & butterflies, linen vs garden

2011-08-01T01:19:00.000-07:00

My garden is full of flowers at the moment - mainly pink and purple. Not by design, I have to say, it just turned out that way! My family and friends would say that these flowers must be the ones that do well with the least input from the gardener as I rarely find time to get out there and weed, prune, deadhead etc,etc!

Hand embroidered florals on linen continue to be popular - those needlewomen of the past taking inspiration from nature with plants and insects - butterflies are also a very popular motif. These two above just some of the many feasting upon my Butterfly (Buddliea) bush this weekend.

Below are just some of the flowers and insects that keep me from the garden! All that sorting, washing ironing and preparing linens for sale (at least that is my excuse for not doing the weeding). How did the women who worked these pieces of art find the time? They had no labour saving devices, shopped daily, no cars to get them places......but also no T.V. to watch and no internet to distract them!

Antique bedspreads for the summer

2011-07-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Antique linen bedspreads are very popular at the moment. Perhaps it is to do with the summer arriving and being able to put those winter blankets away for a while! These three are currently listed for sale and show the variety of designs and styles that the Victorians and Edwardians used in the home. I bought them at an auction in Dundee, Scotland when I was there helping my daughter move into her new flat. It's always good to go to new auctions, watch the dynamics of the bidding and who buys what! And often the prices in one part of the country are very different to those in another

The one above is all hand embroidered and then set with inserts of bobbin lace with a lace border.

The one below is in Pina "linen" - fabric very like linen but made from the fibres of the Pineapple plant and not flax. Beautifully hand worked needlelace infills and drawnthread - hours of work!

And finally this last one below is more unusual as it is in a creamy yellow - most bedspread from this era are white. This one also has drawnthread work and uses Tenerife lace infills - very elaborate work

Old trends and new - shabby chic to antique linen.

2011-07-23T02:06:00.000-07:00

I have neglected this blog for sometime! Just too busy with sourcing and selling linens and family life. There are new trends to keep up with too. "Shabby chic" style is still popular and I have had many requests for colourful embroidered tablecloths and napkins for cupcake parties. Apparently, cupcake parties are the new Hen Night! Alcohol is out and sugar rush is in! Vintage crochet lace doilies are also in high demand for dressing the tables at weddings. And I have had at least three requests for linens that would complement the theme of a Mad Hatters Tea Party. Crinoline Lady embroidered cloths are very popular at the moment!

At the other end of the (linen) scale there is also an increased interest in antique linen damask - particularly those with unusual and interesting designs. I have bought two very large tablecloths recently which originate from a country house in Wales - Gregynog. It is now part of the University of Wales.

The cloths are 20ft and 24ft long - huge!! And have designs of different exotic birds.

Peacocks to each corner and other birds including long legged cranes along the border.

They have been snapped up by another "linen lover" (you know who you are, Nan!) but I thought that they were worthy of a mention and some pics in the blog.

Art Nouveau tapestries - Eugene Grasset Calender 1896

2011-01-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

I have just found these lovely Art Nouveau hand worked tapestries at auction today. The full set of 12 depicting the scenes from Eugene Grasset "Belle Jardiniere Calendar". They were probably worked in the 1970's and the colours are still bright and the needlework skill is excellent. They measure 12" by 18" so a great size to hang on the walls.

Grasset was born in Lausanne in Switzerland in around 1841. Between 1869 and 1870, Grasset worked as a painter and sculptor in Lausanne but moved to Paris in 1871 where he designed furniture, fabrics and tapestries as well as ceramics and jewellery. His fine art decorative pieces were made from ivory, gold and other precious materials in unique combinations and his creations are considered a cornerstone of Art Nouveau motifs and patterns.

In 1877 Eugène Grasset turned to graphic design, producing income-generating products such as postcards and eventually postage stamps for both France and Switzerland. he also produced many posters and the scenes from his "Belle Jardiniere Calendar" are well known through out the world.

I have been very tempted to keep the tapestries however I have put them up for sale on eBay - if there are a couple unsold then maybe they have to be mine!

First antique textiles & linens of 2011.

2011-01-07T00:36:00.000-08:00

Finally, now that the snow has all gone and the world has gone back to normal after the Xmas/New year hols, I have been to my first auction of 2011. I managed to buy a couple of quilts - a paisley and floral Durham and an antique patchwork. The patchwork is grubby but looks in good condition for a 19th century textile - this is a variation on the Tumbling Blocks pattern. The design does not show as well as the colours on the paler cottons have faded leaving the very dominant red.

This is a better example of the design - but using modern fabrics.

I also bought a couple of eiderdowns - these still seem to be popular through every season - the flowers remind you that spring and then summer are coming.

And then finally, some vintage/antique clothes. The hats were a bit of an indulgence (and yes, that is a wig in there!). The large hat is a serious Race Day Hat - very dramatic!

And the baby clothes and other garments are always popular. Amongst the dresses, there were also ladies bloomers, ladies high neck cotton and lace nightdresses, antique camiknicker/bloomer combinations and mens waistcoats - a real mix of antique clothing. The photo below just shows the baby clothes

So now just the task of sorting, washing, ironing and checking each item before deciding what to sell this coming week.

Xmas is over for another year!

2010-12-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

We have had snow on the ground now for around 4 weeks - to begin with it is exciting......now it is just very tiresome!

The freezing temperatures also caused problems and some of the auctions were cancelled during December which means that some of my stocks of linens and textiles are running low.

So we did have a sort of White Xmas even though it didn't actually snow on Xmas day!

I found this vintage box in the bottom of a sewing box bought at auction - wouldn't this have been a great find in your Xmas stocking in the early 1900's! The packaging was so much nicer then! (It didn't have any chocolate in it when I found it - just skeins of embroidery thread!)

So I have used the time being snowbound in the house to make these cheeky cushions - Scottie Dogs in cream wool on a tartan background and the opposite colourway. One of my daughters is into knitting hence the basket of wool to the side.

And I have kept the antique 19th century hand stitched patchwork quilt below for some time with the intention of replacing the worn patches but have decided that I may never get round to it so someone else should have it, use it and love it. It is currently for sale on eBay.

Antique Christening Dresses & more

2010-11-20T01:04:00.000-08:00

This week most of my auction purchases seem to be all about baby clothes - Christening dresses, night dresses and aprons (for keeping the clothes underneath clean!). One dress in particular has the most beautiful very fine Ayrshire whitework embroidery. Here's a close up................

And another showing the skirt panel.........................

Real heirloom pieces.

In reality, it seems that few people do buy them to use as a Christening dress and to pass down the family. Mostly now they are bought by doll collectors to dress up their favourite doll and to display. At least that way the exquisite workmanship is shown off and not put away in a drawer.

The other baby clothing item that was in my purchases is several baby and toddler size aprons ........

And I couldn't resist showing these two baby's in all their finery - just look at their faces!

The Last of the Summer & Xmas is coming!

2010-11-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

It is soooo windy today but the sky is clear and the sun is shining - about a minute after this photo was taken the cloths had wrapped themselves around the clothes line and after about 10 minutes they were dry enough to iron!

It feels like winter now however and after the climbing rose was blown off the house wall by the gales I have had to cut it all back - the last rose of the year is going to end it's days in my kitchen.

So definitely time to start the Xmas sales. Every year I stockpile linens for the festive season - napkins, damask tablecloths being best sellers at this time of year. I have what seems like hundreds of Irish linen damask napkins and whilst they are not all the same design, batching them up into bundles of six gives people an opportunity to buy good quality Irish linen at a reasonable price.

Six large napkins for £5.99!

I also have piles of damask tablecloths - ranging from the enormous 16ft cloth that I have for sale to smaller 6ft cloths. The designs vary too - it seems that the number of designs produced in damask over the years must be in the hundreds. This cloth with the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland is quite special...

It's also time to look out all those small linen gift ideas. Items that maybe cost only £5 - £10 for a friend or neighbour but as they are antique or vintage linen & lace will show a bit of thought about the gift that you have bought. Boudoir sachets, lace edge hankies, a monogrammed towel or tray cloth - all original designs that no-one else will have.

Monogram - E - for an Emma. Emily, Eve or Eleanor

Mongram W - for a Wendy, Whitney, Wallis and Willow

Seaside, applique quilts & monograms

2010-10-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have been away for a few days break down to the North Yorks coast. We stayed at Gisborough Hall - dating to the 1850's.

It was a warm contrast to the beautiful but bracing weather in Whitby

It was sunny but the wind was straight from the North Pole!

And Saltburn beach was even more windswept - but it didn't seem to bother the jet skier and canoeists that were out there in the thundering waves!

I found some more delights to sell on eBay now that I have returned - these textiles are from Yorkshire too. This is a very sweet applique hand stitched quilt with tulips on a lilac background.

And my favourite - lots of monogrammed linens - sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths. This is a sheet but there are also matching pillowcases with an alternative mongram

I wonder if the needlewoman was trying out different styles of monogram as the rest of the embroidery decoration is the same. From a different house came the more angular style monogram below

This is also the same house and initials but in a different style again.

A useful site to look at the differing styles and designs of monograms can be found at http://www.embroideryarts.com/cgi-bin/intarsia/monogram_tn.cgi

Patchwork and Queen Victoria!

2010-10-15T01:46:00.000-07:00

This week I have been down to Yorkshire and back to the North East buying lots of lovely linens and textiles - Irish linen sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths are always in the lots that I look for but this week I have also come across some more unusual, even quirky, items. The photo above shows a hand stitched patchwork quilt top that I found in the bottom of a box.

Queen Victoria at the time of her Jubilee - 1887 - so presumably this fabric was made around that time to comemmorate the event.

Then these fabrics have Chinamen on donkeys and dogs and hens and roosters.

I also came across a great example of 1950's - 60's kitsch.

A collection of soft dusters with a dishcloth folded to look like the body of a cat and the motto underneath

And finally, for today at least, some tapestry work - some completed but never used and some obviously used but treasured and put away to "do something with later" ( I have boxes and boxes of textiles waiting for "later" too!)

All the items featured are going onto eBay this weekend.

Antique Durham Quilts

2010-09-24T02:12:00.000-07:00

The Antique Linen Cupboard has a number of Durham quilts for sale at the moment. These two both use red as the prominent colour and would give real country cottage charm to any bedroom. The one above has red and white patchwork and the other is a traditional North Country "strippy" quilt. As I have had a number of people contacting me through this blog to ask about purchasing items I have included "The Antique Linen Cupboard Shop" in a separate page (see the link on the right) There you will find more details about these items featured in the blog that are available for sale and the prices.

These two quilts came from different house clearances but both from the same area. When they were made the houses were in County Durham so genuine Durham quilts too! (The county boundaries were changed in 1974 and much of County Durham was taken to create the Metropolitan area of Tyne and Wear.) If you want to make a purchase contact me through the blog.
N.B.Both of these quilts are now sold!

Hand embroidery linens at the Linen Cupboard

2010-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

I've been to a local auction today and came across a box of lovely hand embroidered linens. This tablecloth with Madeira embroidery of Calla Lilies is superb - very long and with matching napkins. Ideal special occasion cloth - this would look fabulous on a wedding table!

This photo shows the cloth on a bed - I haven't got a table long enough to show it off well!

The same box had several other large cloths - all beautifully embroidered.

I think again that this is really a tablecloth but doesn't it look good on the bed?

And this one really is a bedspread - white lace with figural motifs.

The motifs are all of hunters

When I find linens like these I wonder about the household that they came from and how many celebration meals and family get-togethers that they have seen. They are all on sale on my eBay site from tonight - maybe they could preside over your next family occasion!

Hand stitched cushions & quilts

2010-08-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last week I bought a number of lovely hand worked tapestry cushions from auction along with a number of hand stitched Durham and patchwork quilts. The work involved in both types of textiles is amazing...reflecting a time when we had no T.V., internet or other distractions to take up our time!

This cushion cover has the addition of lots of tiny beads in the black and white sections of the design.

This is a Tree of Life design cushion - this popular style of design is one that I always find attractive and I have several in my house - as embroidered pictures on the wall., as a fire screen and as cushion covers and yet each one is different!

Another needlework skill is that of the quilter. I have bought a number of quilts recently.

This is a very typical Durham quilt. Called a "Strippy" as it is made up of contrasting stripes of pink and white cotton. The quilting patterns follow the stripes and are the identifying feature of a Durham quilt.

This quilt combines patchwork and elaborate quilting designs. The flower baskets are very striking and the colours are stunning....again think of the work involved - all that hand stitching of the patchwork pieces and then the quilting!

Finally, an antique patchwork quilt.

This one shows the use of several fabrics - maybe all the fabrics from the remnants of dressmaking for a family. Fabrics would not have been bought specially to make a quilt as they are today... they were the "left-overs" from the everyday dressmaking that women did in times gone by

Garden parties & evening wear

2010-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

One of the auction sales that I attended last week had a collection of shawls and other vintage clothing that I just had to buy. The silky embroidered shawls are perfect for either a casual garden party - keep your shoulders warm in the cooler evenings - or to set off more smart evening wear.

The shawl below is very striking and would be perfect with a plain dress

Whilst this black one could be used with a more patterned or multi-coloured outfit.

Finally to complete the look why not add a pair of extra soft kid leather evening elbow length gloves. Actually, you would need to have quite small hands to fit into these gloves. Women were much smaller in Victorian times and they were meant to be worn very close fitting. These gloves are probably a size 6 or a 6.5 but even if they don't fit your hands they do add the look when draped over a dressing table or bedside table

Summer linens and lace

2010-07-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

I have had a hectic time lately...hence the long time since posting anything on the blog! Last week I was at Carlisle in the Lake District where I came across some nice old and interesting linens some of which will be listed on eBay today. Amongst the treasures was a very unusual tablecloth with Maltese lace edge and teatme motifs.

This is a close up of the centre motif

I also came across a tablecloth with lovely needlelace - each square panel completed in a different needlelalce design

Close up of a couple of the panels below

After Carlisle on Monday, I went to Scotland, then Northumberland and then on to Yorkshire at the end of the week. So linens from all over the north of England and into Scotland. More to come later.

Lake District Country House Linens & Treasures!

2010-05-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to keep the blog updated. Lots of auctions to attend and lots of internet sales .....not much evidence of a recession in the world of antique and vintage linens. Yesterday I went to a very interesting auction sale of the entire contents of a large country house in the Lake District - Holywath.

This sale followed the death last year of Major John Wilfred Barratt Hext M.B.E. who died at the age of 92. Holywath in Coniston, Lake District Cumbria has been the home of the Barratt Hext family since 1830 and was a time capsule as the family had never thrown anything away! The family had connections with Ruskin, Kate Greenaway and Beatrix Potter amongst others.

The auction house took photos of the interiors as they found them before taking the entire contents (including everything from the cellars and the attics) to auction.

The sale included such diverse items as a tiger skin (seen on the wall above the staircase) to old fire hydrants and hoses. The linens and textiles that I bought were equally eclectic.. a large wicker hamper with dressing up clothes ranging from a barristers gown to a scuba diving suit! I bought the usual linens that you would expect from a country house - bedspreads, sheets, pillowcases and lots of huge damask tablecloths - and also many vintage items of clothing. From ladies vintage hats and coats to mens vintage shooting apparel (plus fours and other breeks) and bowler and top hats.

Now I just have the task of sorting through everything and photgraphing them for sale! So it maybe another few weeks before I get the chance to blog again!

Floral & Paisley Eiderdown Quilts

2010-03-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last week I was looking through my stock for interesting items to list for sale and found some eiderdown quilts. The one above is very pretty... very summery.

These cotton fabrics are so evocative of an earlier age but they can be used very sucessfully in a contemporary interior too.

This one has a more of a paisley design with a lovely duck-egg blue background.

This one I have described on Ebay as pistachio green with pink/red flowers. It is actually prettier in "real life" than it appears in the photo! Cath Kidston has taken many of these old designs and reproduced them in her fabrics but I think that the vintage designs are just that little bit better!

Set the table for Spring

2010-03-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

This week I have bought a quantity of linens from the estate of a large house in Northumberland. Not a big country house but a home that enjoyed entertaining and the lady of the house liked to present a well-dressed table for dinner or lunch. So I have acquired a number of sets of table napkins and mats. The reticella lace napkins above are unused and an ideal size for lunch or supper.

These unused Irish linen damask napkins above are a more appropriate size for dinner.

These three pretty sets wopuld set off a spring lunch table very well.

This collection of linen did not include any dining table cloths but did have many place mats and table settings in a variety of styles. So perhaps the family had a beautiful table that they didn't want to hide under a cloth. In that case table mats are a great alternative to a cloth - and they are easier to launder, iron and store!

This Reticella needlelace place mat is one of six and matches the napkins.

These green linen place mats with hand embroidery also have a matching large centre mat and could be used with plain green or white napkins.

The crochet lace mat above left is one from a setting for twelve and the Maltese lace mat to the right is from a setting for six.

Patchwork & Durham Quilts

2010-02-21T03:24:00.000-08:00

I have been buying a lot of quilts over the past month. There were several good examples at a textiles auction down in North Yorkshire recently - from Durham wholecloth and strippy quilts to English log cabin patchwork and American patchwork.

Whilst the tradition of patchwork quilts is well known across both the UK and USA, the Durham quilt is perhaps less well known and I am often asked about what "makes" a Durham quilt.

Durham is a town and a county in the North of England and the Durham style of quilts originates from the Northern Counties of England. However "Durham" quilt is now used to describe a quilt made in a specific manner rather than one that originates from Durham. The basic construction of a Durham quilt does not differ from those made elsewhere - they have a top and bottom layer and a layer of padding in-between. The three layers are then stitched together - usually by hand. However the feature that makes a "Durham" is the quilting pattern which is used to give a sculptural quality to the surface of the quilt. These patterns can involve a number of different named designs - Running Feather, Cable, Rose Motif and very often a central circular deisgn thought by many to represent the Pit Wheel that would so dominate the skyline in the North-East coal mining communities during the 19th century however "strippy" quilts are a paticular feature of North Country quilts. The quilt top was formed by alternating strips of plain fabrics - usually white alternating with red, blue, pink or yellow and then the quilting was carried out up the stripes.

I will be selling some of the Durham quilts that I bought over the next few weeks on Ebay - I just have the task of washing them first!

A tale of castles & cushions

2010-01-22T01:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went to an auction at Barnard Castle a town in the south of County Durham. Lots of castles in this area. The one above, Raby Castle, is on the road to the auction and then Barnard Castle below is in the town itself.

I thought that the auction was disappointing for the amount and quality of linen/textiles and I only bought one lot - a small box of what looked like very plain and ordinary table linen. However, when I got home and went through the box two gems emerged!

This hand worked tapestry and beadwork cushion was folded up at the bottom.

The colours are so bright and the beadwork all intact.

Then tucked away in a very dirty gingham drawstring bag was a collection of hand worked Bucks Point bobbin lace. So my journey was not wasted after all! The next time I go to the Barnard Castle auction I also want to visit the other gem of the area - Bowes Museum. I wonder if they have any textiles tucked away in the attic waiting to be discovered!

The thaw has arrived!

2010-01-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

Finally, the snow and ice has melted and I have made it to my first auction of 2010! This sale yielded a number of excellent hand embroidered cloths and also some superb hand crochet lace work. All from the same household and all the work of a superb needlewoman!

This is just one of the embroidery motifs in a tablecloth made up of 25 squares each with a different flower.

Some of the linen and lace tablecloths were worked with Mary Card crochet designs. Mary Card was an Australian crochet lace designer in the early part of the 1900's. Her designs are highly collected now.

She often used floral and bird motifs in her designs and also used animals native to Australia.

This one below sold as soon as it was listed on eBay!

The hours of work that they involve are incredible. This is what you did when there was no T.V.!! The family was obviously also well travelled as the suitcase with it's very nostalgic collection of baggage labels came from the same household (it held all the linen at auction).

So the linen collection also included items from Madeira, some Maltese lace and other excellent hand embroidered pieces.

Snow, snow and icicles!

2010-01-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

We haven't actually had any snow today - lots of sunshine but freezing temperatures mean that the icicles just keep getting bigger.... so I couldn't resist showing these two photos.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T02:20:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a happy new year for 2010 - a new decade too. I had hoped to go to my first auction of the year however the weather has conspired against this.....

This is the view of my garden and look at the depth of the snow on the picnic table below

So I think that I will just stay indoors, turn up the heating and sort out linen from the linen cupboard ready for selling. Those buyers brave enough (or foolish enough!) to get to the auctions today will probably get some bargains as there will be fewer bidders but I want to stay warm and dry!

The Real Linen Cupboard!!

2009-12-19T03:07:00.000-08:00

It is really starting to feel like Christmas. We have snow on the ground, the fires have been lit every day and the tree is decorated. I always try to sort and tidy my linen stock at this time and to remind me that it is possible took a photo of the linen cupboard (or one of them!) as it should look!

There is a saying that "you can never have too many books in a house"....is the same true for pillowcases I wonder?

It does look nice all folded and stored neatly but those who know me can guarantee that it won't last!

Xmas presents - part 2

2009-12-19T02:57:00.000-08:00

I had great intentions of displaying some small linen and lace items that would make great Xmas gifts however my customers have been having a buying frenzy and as soon as I have listed items for sale they are snapped up and I'm off to the Post Office again! Some of the most popular items have been vintage nightdress cases like the ones below.

Originally intended to enclose your nightwear through the day, they make very decorative boudoir cushion covers. They are generally half the size of a standard pillow and make a lovely display on the bed or on a bedroom chair.

The other items that have been flying out of the shop are Victorian nightdresses. People buy them for all sorts of reasons; for display in a corner of a bedroom to add a Victorian touch of lace, for use in the Christmas amateur dramatic production of "A Christmas Carol" and others simply to wear!

This long one with long sleeves is very pretty and probably best suited to our cold English weather but there are warm weather alternatives too.

And despite the fact that I have sold probably hundreds of these nightgowns I hardly ever find two the same. So each buyer knows that they have an original garment.

Ideas for Xmas gifts - part 1

2009-11-17T06:46:00.000-08:00

Antique and vintage linens and textiles make lovely gifts and are not necessarily expensive either. I bought a number of Irish linen damask towels from auction last month and they are being snapped up by buyers just as soon as I can wash them!

They give a feminine look to a bathroom or guest room - even softening my quite minimilist bathroom!

Here I've used one on the bath and a couple on an old Lloyd Loom clothes basket

Or pop one on a towel airer or radiator.

I also like the old Irish linen huckaback towels in the kitchen. These two with coloured stripes look great with the range cooker ( and as they are thick they withstand the heat of the Aga too when it comes to getting hot dishes from the oven)

Country house style cushions

2009-11-15T02:11:00.000-08:00

More cushions! These ones have a definite country house look about them. They came from an auction in Yorkshire. They are all hand embroidered - the middle one with embroidery silks and the other four with tapestry wools.

Use to brighten up a chair or just to make an inviting place to sit.

They make a perfect Xmas gift!

Warm up the winter with a blanket or two.

2009-11-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have recently acquired a collection of wool blankets - plain coloured and tartan check.
Blankets are great for a variety of uses - to cover an old stool, as a knee rug for the colder evenings, snuggle under on the sofa or use on the bed!

They can also be used to cover an old armchair or sofa as they are very hard wearing. They will also complement either a traditional or contemporary interior

If you are lucky enough you may be able to find a tartan rug for your "Clan". The rug below is the MacDonald dress tartan

Suitcases of linen!

2009-11-03T14:09:00.000-08:00

At a recent auction I bought some linen which came from a large house in Harrogate, Yorkshire. The linen, much of it unused, had been stored in the house in old suitcases and so the suitcases came with the tablecloths, sheets and napkins.

The almost square shape trunk is paticularly nice. In fact, there were two but I was approached by a couple who wanted to buy the other one before I had even paid for the lot at auction!

The cases and trunks were quite dusty but after cleaning and waxing they have "brushed up" well! Old leather has a lovely patina and glow and old suitcases can be used in many ways... as coffee tables if they are tall enough, to store documents or clothes or simply as decorative items in a bedroom or study.

They are currently for sale on eBay - maybe the perfect Xmas present for someone?

Glamorous vintage silk lingerie from 1940's

2009-10-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is a nightdress and dressing robe dating to the 1940's in pink crepe de chine silk and Mechlin lace. I have just bought all these items and more from an auction in Newcastle

They were all made by a lady for her wedding trousseau and worn just on the honeymoon and then put away and treasured for the next 70 years! They are in amazing condition and are truly representative of that age of glamour. The nightgown and dressing robe are super and far too nice just to lounge around the house!! The nightgown could be very easily worn as an evening dress.

As they correspond to a UK size 10 -12 they are still very wearable by women today unlike many of the Victorian clothes which tend to be too small. They are also quite long, again an advantage over older antique clothing. The nightgown and robe are 59" long

The Mechline lace is all hand applied and the whole trousseau has been put together with great care and then lovingly kept. As I also bought other lace items from the same estate, some of which were only part finished, I think that it can be assumed that the owner made the lace herself and therefore probably made all the clothes too.

Antique Linen with hand embroidery monograms

2009-10-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hand embroidered monograms on linens began with the heraldic and family crests that were embroidered onto all the linens of the aristocracy. During the 19th century it became part of the tradition of preparing the wedding trousseau for middle class families - monogramming the household linens with the combined initials of the couple-to-be. Occasionally, the date was included to mark the year of the wedding - invaluable now to help in dating the linens

These monograms were on some linens - cushions, pillowcases and linen sheets - that I bought at an auction in North Yorkshire from a large house in Harrogate. As there are more than one combination of initials I think that it can be assumed that the family also inherited linens from the maternal side of the family

Hand embroidered monogrammed linen has become very popular in recent years and therefore more expensive! Below are some images of the embroidered date and monogram on a linen sheet. It is quite unusual to find the date embroidered in such a prominent position.This sheet came in the same lot of linens and was obviously much loved and used as it has been darned several times. The embroidery work is however excellent - it is currently at auction on eBay.

There is an excellent website which shows the different types and styles of lettering used in monograms http://embroideryarts.com/cgi-bin/intarsia/letter.cgi?letter=a This can be of great help when trying to decipher a monogram as some are so stylised that it can be difficult to work out each individual letter

Vintage hand embroidery - cushions & firescreens

2009-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

I bought this beautiful hand embroidery panel at auction recently. It had been used as a firescreen and then as a picture but the glass is missing. A friend of mine tried very hard to try to make it fit into her house as she liked the design so much but with no success.

So now I have to decide whether to have it re-mounted and glazed and use it as a picture or maybe it would make a very special cushion.

The needlework is excellent - it is hard to believe that this high level of skill was commonplace at one time and that all girls learnt to sew and embroider

I have several cushions - some tapestry but most hand embroidery - placed around my house. I am always drawn to the Tree of Life designs that were very common in the 1940's - 50's. These kind of decorative cushions can be better than pictures in a room as they can be moved around to add accent of colour and they have a practical purpose too.

I sell a lot of these type of cushions in the weeks leading up to Xmas. Many are bought as gifts but I think that often my customers decide to keep one for themselves too!

Antique Patchwork Durham Quilt

2009-09-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law started quilting and patchwork classes some time ago and, on hearing that I had recently bought a very good, large Victorian patchwork Durham quilt, asked for some photos. She really wanted to see it in real-life but as I had sold it and despatched it off to the new owner within a few days of buying it photographs will have to do! It is huge! Probably the biggest that I have come across so far - easily big enough for a king-size bed.

I don't think that it had ever been used (or washed) and I hope that when it finds it's new home that it will be on display and enjoyed.

Linens from a Northumberland house

2009-09-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

Another busy day today buying some very nice linen. I will be sorting and listing on eBay over the next month - lots of Irish linen damask tablecloths and a large number of sets of Irish linen damask napkins - at least two sets of twelve which is quite rare.

All of this linen had been stored away in very good condition which always makes it easier - much less specialist cleaning.

Monogrammed linens are also very sought after now and I came across a number of mongrammed towels and pillowcases with an embroidered "B".

Much of this linen has come from a large country house in Northumberland called Milbourne Hall . The house obviously had a large dining table as I have acquired at least two damask cloths over 14 feet long! I wonder about the type of occasion they were used at and what the conversations were about!

Some of the napkins have never been used and were still in the original tissue paper

Textiles & antique linens auction at Leyburn in North Yorkshire

2009-09-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

I have been all over the North East of England this past week at a number of auctions. The best was definitely at Leyburn in North Yorkshire where there were lots of fabulous antique linens, quilts and antique and vintage clothing. I love to look at the clothing even though I rarely buy! The women were so small in the 19th century - tiny waists and arms and very small in height too!

This was a lovely example of a silk 19th century dress

I didn't manage to buy any of the quilts (the prices were a bit steep for me!) but it is always good to look at them and admire the amount of work that has gone into them. The crazy patchwork one was further embellished by hand embroidery motifs to each patch - a tiny spiders web, a strawberry and an owl were amongst the many images.

I am busy sorting through all my purchases and listing a lot over the coming days on my eBay site. I have lots of Irish linen sheets some with fabulous hand embroidery to the top, pillowcases, lots of Victorian nightdresses and lots of baby's Christening dresses. So inevitably I also have lots of washing and ironing too!!