London Calling at Fabric Rehab

It's been a while since my last post. The only plausible excuse I have is that I am in the last 2 weeks (hopefully) of my pregnancy and as of a week ago I was still working full time. It's not much of an excuse but now I have much more free time to post away, so hopefully you'll be hearing a lot more from me.

When I received a newsletter from Fabric Rehab titled 'London Calling' I had to share it with others. They have got some fantastic London inspired fabrics just in time for the Jubilee celebrations and Olympics. So get patriotic people and use these fabrics for your jubilation's this weekend!

From the top: London Buildings, London Crowns Red, London Blocks

All Images from Fabric Rehab

Just had to post about...Bluebellgray blog

This is my 'Just had to post about...' section, where if I see an idea or image or something that instantly inspires me I have to share it with you.

Todays post is about a newsletter email I received from Bluebellgray and link to an image on their blog showing their wonderful fabrics framed in wooden cross stitch hoops. It was actually a link to an article announcing selected John Lewis stores will be stocking the fabrics, which in itself is very exciting, but I just couldn't take my eyes of the image. What a perfect way to use up remnants or bundles of fabrics, especially if they are as pretty as these.

Image from bluebellgray

Willow Collection from Bluebellgray

I was recently sent a newsletter about the new Willow collection at bluebellgray. It's a beautiful new collection of cushions and fabrics inspired by the classic blue willow pattern that we all know and recognise but with a modern twist. I remember my grandmother having this original patterned crockery, and even though I didn't appreciate it as a child, it does have a timeless look.

It's a shame we didn't keep any of the original crockery because I am loving the plate collection on the blue wall, maybe I'll have to start re-collecting it.

Fabulous Fabrics

I spotted this fabric in the recent issue of Living Etc magazine. It's by Sandberg a Swedish Textile and wallpaper company and is called Laurent, it's available in two colourways Black and Light Turquoise as seen below. I love the kid's party feel of the pattern, it would look great in a little girl's room, mind you I think it would be great in a kitchen, makes me hungry just looking at it. There are a few UK stockists that stock their textiles and wallpapers so take a look

All Images from Sandberg

Inkodye

I was reading Jessica's How about Orange blog this morning and saw her most recent post about Inkodye, a light-sensitive dye for textiles, wood and leather. They had sent her a sample of this brilliant and she decided to test it out. It's a bit like Batik but much easier and less messy (I seem to remember getting wax everywhere when I did it at school)

You simply brush it on evenly with a foam brush onto your fabric of choice (has to be a natural fibre). You then place items/shapes of your choice on top of the fabric and lay it in the sun for 5-6 minutes. The colour will deepen and where you have placed the shapes will remain bleached out. Immediately after removing the shapes from the fabric, to avoid the dye under the shapes from developing, rinse the fabric in the sink and wash with fabric detergent.

Below are a few images of her test, for more examples of how Inkodye can be used check out the website here.

All images from How about Orange

Bluebellgray Sample Sale

If you liked the look of the wonderful designs from Bluebellgray on my post on the 5th May then check out there sample sale of cushions. They are all roughly half price, I'm thinking about Big Rose or Secret Garden design or I might just wait until her fabric is available to order. But check it out!

Hus & Hem Fabrics

I have previously posted about the joys of Hus & Hem's emporium of Scandinavian design, but I just wanted to make you aware of their fabulous selection of fabrics.

Spira Haga Sage Green & Grey Scandinavian Fabric

 I'm just thinking this would look great in our living room with our new blue sofa.

Spira Jaffa Light Turquoise Swedish Fabric

 I love this fabric for outside, it's so fun!

Spira Mallow Krinolin Scandinavian Fabric

Spira Stensota Pink Scandinavian Fabric

All Images from Hus & Hem

Beautiful John Lewis Fabrics

As it's the John Lewis Clearance at the moment and we are about to move into our new house I have been hunting for fabrics left, right and centre. Here are a few beautiful patterns I found which we are thinking of using.

1. Wallflower - A gorgeously delicate cherry blossom pattern in two colourways Honey and Pale Catkin. I really fancy this in out bedroom.

2. The Connections fabric is wonderfully mid-century with a typical fifties Astro shaped patterned available in Blue, Chilli and Sulphur. They are all in the sale at £9 a metre so are buying some of the blue for a blind in the dining room.

3. This PCV Fish fabric would be perfect for a kitchen table. The muted mid-century inspired colours are great too!

4. If you're after a more architectural pattern the Brompton Road Linen has an urban feel with a soft twist.

5. The Amara fabric is a twist on a traditional paisley but in a modern mix of colourways Bluebird and Mushroom.

6. The Bertie fabric is a lovely abstract leaf print in a natural colourway.

7. I have posted about the Seed Head fabric previously but this Steel colourway is particularly nice.

(All images from John Lewis)

DIY Patterned Fabric

Jason Loper posted on apartment therapy a how to guide on creating your own patterned fabric. He was finding it difficult to find a fabric that matched his newly painted walls so ping! an idea appeared. Using scrap fabric, a stencil, a roller and left over paint he created a fantastic curtain.

Images from Jason Loper on apartment therapy

Wallet Tote Tutorial

Now I'm quite a novice at sewing but occasionally I see something so useful and cute that I would love to be able to make, that I can't help but share it with you all. On Sew, Mama, Sew! Lorraine of the Ikat bag blog has shared a Wallet-to-Tote tutorial. The inspiration for this design came from her three girls and how impromptu adventures always required a bag. She also happens to use the wonderful Outside Oslo fabrics of Jessica Jones of How about Orange. So if you fancy a sewing challenge then take a look!

(Images from Ikat Bag)

Fiona Douglas of bluebellgray

While perusing the pages of the June issue of Elle Decoration I came across an article on Textile designer Fiona Douglas the creator of homewares brand bluebellgray. The article was about her Glasgow apartment. she has used her signature prints and textiles throughout her home and her use of colour is fantastic. The colour on the wall in the living room is Farrow & Ball's 'Pitch Blue', which compliments Fiona's 'Rosie' Floral pattern on the sofa perfectly. She is releasing Fabric to buy by the metre soon via her website.

I love the books in colour coordination here.

I really need to get on with a photo montage wall like this, it's a great way of displaying all of your fondest memories. The colour used on this wall is Farrow & Ball's 'Dix Blue'.

(All images above from Elle Decoration)

I am also in love with the blue painted Ercol chair on the right of this image, I am very tempted to do this myself.

(Image from bluebellgray)

Fabric Rehab

Fabric rehab is a fantastic online retailer of wonderfully retro and bright fabrics created by sisters Nancy and sally in 2008. Their aim is to 'supply unusual and contemporary fabric to the modern crafter looking for something a bit different'. Sold in fat quarters or bundles and a mixture of dressmaking and upholstery weights you are spoilt for choice. I am looking to copy the pattern of a really simple but lovely summer top I bought in New Look last year, and would like it in some brighter patterns, below are my faves! The colours on the Mid-Century Books are fantastic. Check out their blog

Vintage basics Tiny Geometric Shape Red

Scandinavian Style: Folklore Garland Orange

Scandinavian Style: Folklore Dala Horse Teal

Funky Florals: Hoopla Tulips White

Fabulous 50's: Mid Century Books White

Scandinavian style: Trefle Scandinavian Blooms Red

(All Images from Fabric Rehab)