new in store...handwoven hemp linen place mats!!!

 Our resident sewing and creative genius (aka Mum) has been busy covering her kitchen table with antique linens to make these delightful place mats.  They have been made with handwoven hemp grain sack lengths, bought on our last buying trip to Europe.

The stripe detail adds to the rustic French charm, although I think these would also look great in a more formal setting. 

The hemp is grown on small farms in Europe, without pesticides, and is hand spun.  It is then handwoven on narrow looms.  This fabric would date to the first half of the 20th century.

And the best part of all, they are also available with a single red stripe!  This particular roll of hemp linen had a rough unstitched edge which Mum left for further charm...

I love it when you can SEE the texture, the nubby bits along with the fibres of the hemp.  Are they not the loveliest place mats?  Oh so French...

As usual, these are not pictured on our website yet, as loyal blog readers you see things first!  I would be interested to know, how many of my blog readers are also on Instagram?  As I also like to post newly arrived items on our Instagram page, you can find it here.

Until next time,

handmade with love linen cushions in store!

I feel like I have been caught up in a whirlwind of media possibilities of late.  We have had a pinterest page for The Drill Hall Emporium for a while now (see it here), maintained magically by mum.  We also have a Facebook page which is such an instant place to receive feedback.  And now we have just joined Instagram!  And can you get any more instant than Instagram? I feel a little crazed but then again, when you are inspired by beautiful objects and images, the more creative media outlets the better, right?

Anyway enough reflection on the changing times, lets go back to basics.  Mum has been busy again pouring her skills into these linen cushions. 

This Union Jack inspired cushion is an absolute one-off creation at this stage.  Isn't it gorgeous?  And isn't mum clever?
 

And she also made these Swiss Army inspired cushions using alpaca wool for the grey cross in the centre. 

There are two only of this design.  Now, how do I put these images on Instagram?  Help anyone???

Until next time,

new in store! cushions with antique linen fragments...

Look at what my clever mum has been up to, making these gorgeous linen cushions for the store!  She has created a window effect looking through onto an antique linen fragment, I think the mix of textures and colours is just divine. 

At the moment, there are only two cushions of each design available.  All have quality feather inserts. 

 

 

I bought this linen a few years ago overseas.  I am not sure of its origins, whether it is perhaps French or English?  The red ticking is complimentary and a bit unexpected which is why it works. 

This is the other cushion design available, it is made using an entirely different linen fragment, a brighter red colour. 

 

These have a more neutral ticking border and the very outer border is 19th century handwoven linen in a white.  

I like that each central panel is different, the bottom cushion depicts a cornucopia shaped posy of flowers.  I will be on the hunt for more unusual antique linen on my next overseas buying trip. 

 

Altogether different are these vintage chinoiserie linen cushions in soft purple hues.  If you like these cushions you must check out my mum's (AKA Bonsai Queen's) chinoiserie pinterest board.   

 

 

Until next time, 

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,

French toile linen cushions and Flywheel blog launch

It has been far too long since I have updated recent news for The Drill Hall Emporium.  I have been oh so focused on Flywheel, our new store that opened just before Christmas.  But, folks, I am back for a  year of exciting times and beautiful products that we love to have in our store.  My mum has been busy curating a lovely collection of beautiful toile linens to form her latest collection of cushions for the soft furnishings room.  These cushions are not yet on our website, so as usual you are all getting the first look.  Mind you, this is just a sample, I did not get a chance to photograph all of them...

I love these Watteau linen cushions, the colours are soft and pretty and the scene is for the romance in all of us.  I am pretty sure this is a one off fabric for the store, and as such there are only two cushions available.  Can you see the lovely texture of the linen?

These are definitely a favourite of mine, I found the fabric a few years ago on my travels in France.  I am pretty sure it dates to the 19th century.  I have a bit of a weak spot for French toile, especially the raspberry colours like this example.  Mum has finished the edges with a complimenting fringe detail.

The blue toile is very popular, this linen is not as old but I also found it in France a few years ago and couldn't resist.

 Lastly, these cushions are made from an oriental inspired design and depicts peacocks in raspberry red colours on a green ground linen.  Magical, no?

My time is now divided between the two stores and I have a vague yet constant sense of wanting to be in two places at once.  I often joke about cloning myself but now I am earnestly starting to wonder how close scientists are to this feat?  If I could be greedy and have multiple clones (not just the one) one of them would be at home catching up on the pile of magazines!  And having a cuppa.

The big news for the week is that our Flywheel blog has now officially started!  So please take a look and follow for all Flywheel related news and events.

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...