Finding inspiration ...

Brian and Jack are out playing ball. The rest of use are gathered 'round the only air conditioner in the house - it's well over 90 degrees here today and muggy. We've been talking about a property we're hoping to buy all weekend. The beauty (not apparent at the moment!) and history of it has turned my mind back to old things. So as I'm sitting here TRYING to keep cool, I'm thinking of how I would decorate such a venerable abode - a 19th century manse on 5 acres. Poor dear thing needs quite a facelift to restore her to her former beauty! While searching around for vintage linens, I came across Em's Heart, an antique textiles website. She has so many beautiful vintage linens and garments, my heart fairly fluttered.

As is my way, I started to wonder about sewing new heirlooms based on these real ones. It is so sad that beauty like this doesn't enter our daily lives anymore. At least, not on a daily basis. In particular I was taken with photos of an antique Christening blanket she recently sold. I can't imagine why these are no longer available. What a precious item to be passed down through generations! The detail involved in making this piece is inspiring. It works like a duvet cover, with a button opening for the insertion of a wool fleece blanket for cold weather. Apart from a special white one for Christenings, wouldn't this be divine made from vintage calico fabric for every day? I remember my Nana describing buntings she and her contemporaries would make from soft blankets and silky satin blanket bindings. Cherished babes slept soundly all night snuggled securely in such things.

Ah, yes, I feel another project coming on!