new in store! French linen aprons handmade by ourselves...

 

We are introducing a new line at The Drill Hall Emporium, French linen aprons handmade by ourselves!  We wear similar aprons in the store and have over the years had enquiries as to whether we sell them.  As such, we have decided to use some of our lovely French linen that we have stored away to create these oh so chic aprons, or tabliers, as they are called in French. 

Our apron design is different to others, we refer to ours "tension-free" aprons.  Most aprons have a loop around the back of the neck which can cause a lot of neck and shoulder tension if worn regularly, our wide cotton straps go over the shoulder and cross in the middle of the back for more comfort!   And as our own shop aprons are of the same design, we can attest first hand to the comfort factor. 

We have displayed a few on our French dressmaker's mannequins, which model them perfectly.  They are fully adjustable and can be tied around the front as well, if preferred, with the extra long straps. 

The linen used in the body of the apron is soft but durable, and a very fine quality.  It was a real pleasure to sew with!

The pocket is made from a vintage French linen ticking which we had kept until now for a special purpose. 

 

We have only a small number available at this stage, but we will extend the range to include aprons for children, and also more heavy duty aprons for wearing in the potting shed.

I would love to know what you think about our aprons?  Or better yet, come in and inspect for yourself!

Until next time,

new in store . . . twine for everyone!

 

I am sure I am not alone in my self confessed twine addicted state?  Particularly balls of twines like these chunky versions, above.  Are they not simply lovely and decorative?  The large balls weigh in at one kilogram the smaller balls at half a kilogram.    

 

And what better way to display them then in our enormous copper patisserie bowl, which featured recently in its own right.

 These chunky twines are in a natural ecru colour and are made in France from linen. 

This twine in a French picker's basket, above, is much finer and weighs a mere 100g per ball. 

It too is linen and made in France and is two toned, white and ecru.

Lastly, this twine is made from hemp and of a nice polished quality.   I think we now have twine for every purpose.

The balls of twine look wonderful in these wire storage baskets, they have numbered brass labels on the fronts.  Most of these have migrated to our new store, Flywheel as they make handy office baskets...

Until next time,

new in store! cabbage and roses cushions and very very cute gift tags

Image from here

For a while now I have been quite a fan of Cabbages and Roses, an English based clothing, homewares and fabric store.  I am particularly drawn to their famous range of floral fabrics, usually depicting roses.  I think it is the muted tones and the country look that I like, they suit both formal and more relaxed settings. 

Image from here

The English fabric works so well on Louis French chairs as well as with shabby chairs such as these.  

Image from here

These cushions are available on the Cabbages and Roses website, and they also have a blog too! 

Whilst in a homewares store in Surrey, I happened upon a piece of Cabbage and Roses fabric in their roses and tulips design.  I couldn't resist bringing it home in my luggage to make cushions for the store!

The resulting cushions are now on a pair of French armchairs in our soft furnishings room.  There are two retangular and two square cushions available at the moment. 

The colours are beautiful, I love the soft blue colour of the background.  We have teamed it with a neutral linen and vintage buttons. 

And whilst I was away, Rachel was busy printing more gift tags and adding to our current range...

 

I adore her new butterfly gift tag, it is beautiful!

As is this cheeky squirrel eating a nut on a branch.  How cute! 

Rachel has also been busy creating these little gift cards including an envelope of hearts "lots of...love"

And "hugs and kisses" and "with love xxx" gift cards for loved ones. 

These are all hand pressed using our Adana letterpress machine.  There is definitely a lot of love in each card...

buying antiques in GREAT britain!

Here I am, once again in the United Kingdom (or GREAT Britain as is the motto here at the moment.  Olympic hype I believe) on the hunt for the unusual and fabulous for the store. 

  

One of my first purchases is this fantastic drum that couldn't be more British or unusual.  I believe it dates to around the 1940s and is London made.  I was off to a great start!

I admired this French hat box at a trade fair but the hat itself had been squashed so I left it.  I nearly bought it for the box alone!

Near the hat I spotted these French child's boots in a bowl, I bought the bowl and obviously couldn't resist the boots. 

The fronts of each shoe had been reinforced with metal, those were the days of mending and making do... Are they not gorgeous?  I had the feeling that the stallholder was reluctant to sell them.

French linen was the order of the day, it is becoming increasingly hard to find but I found some lovely French napkins with monograms and some gorgeous linen sheets.

These were one of my more unsual purchases, they are American ice cream bowls and are quite heavy.  Of course, one could now use them on the bench for utensils or something. 

This 19th century fan light is beautiful.  I didn't commit to it but I really liked the colour. 

One of the last pieces I lugged back to the van (whilst hoping it would fit!) is this vintage abacus on stand, with a chalk board attached for notes.  What a great find and a unique learning tool!  Who needs a calculator?

I have bought so much more than I can show at the moment but I am still catching up on the timezone difference and lost sleep from morning fairs.  I am having a great time and am dreaming each night about the next day and what it may hold.  I am excited also to share my adventures with my readers, I hope you feel like you are almost here in GREAT Britain with me...

new in store...grainsack cushions, wool blanket cushions & more

My mum has had a very busy last few weeks making our latest range of grainsack linen cushions and also our winter wool range!  Each cushion is made with love and pride, and I am very proud of her for all her hard work.

  

The latest grainsack cushions have ties at the side with an internal linen flap for hiding the feather cushion insert. And you all know how much I love blue stripes! Above is a double dark blue stipe running the length of the cushion. 

 

 

This is a lighter blue grainsack linen with the stripes running the vertical of the cushion, again with the ties.

Here are the three types of stripes that are available, they are backed in a soft neutral linen and there are two of each design.  

These are a lovely pale blue square grainsack cushions.  The blue is so sweet. 

And our depleted stocks of red striped cushions have been replenished!  A nice simple bright red stripe running the length of the cushions.  There are four of these. 

The winter wool blanket range of cushions is definitely making me feel very cosy.   I am thinking hot chocolate, wood fire, a good novel, rain beating on the windows...I am sure you get the idea.  These cushions above are made with vintage English wool fabric and a neutral ribbed lambswool as a contrast.  Vintage wooden buttons. 

Of the winter range, these cushions above are possibly my favourites, but I can't quite decide.  These are made from vintage English wool blanket fabric in a grey colour and my clever Mum has hand-dyed the contrasting red blanket.  They are just divine. 

 

These are made from a soft dove grey English wool fabric and are contrasted with an English wool in a purple colour with vintage purple buttons.

I have displayed four of the winter cushions in an antique leather case. 

I would love to hear which is your favourite, if you have one.  Or are you like me who can't decide?  I totally understand. 

These cushions are also a new range for our store.  They have been made from antique French monogrammed panels and are edged in a vintage neutral linen. 

I have a current fettish for French monograms.  The monogram tells a story, perhaps of a young Parisienne preparing for her future home?  I even wonder about the initials, was this young girl Eleanor? Elise? Emilie?    

Lastly we have these French striped pillow covers, made from vintage French linen in a gorgeous natural shade.  They have ties on the side.  So dreamy!

 

 

Image from here

I wish every one a wonderful weekend.  By the way, there is rain predicted this weekend for Hobart, my cosy winter's day dream may come true...