I consider myself a creative soul. Yet I cannot knit or crochet anything fancy. Nor can I stitch anything much beyond a button to a shirt. Whilst the children were small, trousers and skirts were sufficiently hemmed for their purpose; I should never have considered myself a seamstress. And if I’m truthful for many years I thought the process of sewing might be boring, perhaps a little tedious and certainly lengthy. And I have not usually tended towards lengthy. I may have mentioned before, I am impatient. Quick wins are all for me. This week my story is of a day out learning the art of mending and making good with a needle and thread. How to darn a hole, how to stitch a hole in fabric, how to make do and mend. A day spent with like minded souls, keen to preserve a little of the past and perhaps without realising, a day where I was to learn a little more about myself and just what makes me tick…
I have become intrigued by the art created with a needle and thread. In last week’s story you were treated to my latest piece of artwork; a delightful embroidery which thanks to another’s patience now graces my own home. Recently I joined two delightful ladies Karen @ostrichandsilkworm and Angeline @chalkandpaisley at Karen’s beautiful home. Out with my Thesaurus… beautiful just doesn’t cut it.
After a lengthy car journey, an immediate visit to the bathroom was essential call. I wondered out loud how acceptable it would be to keep on returning to that room throughout my day and whether my iPhone would be permissible for photo taking. I have never seen so many pretties filling all available surfaces in what let’s face it, should be a fairly functional room. Not a piece of plastic was in sight.
I am a self-confessed Francophile. And a vintage one at that. If my previous life wasn’t one where I floated around a tiny hamlet in the French countryside, collecting hens’ eggs and tending my garden by day and straining my eyes to read by candle light at night, I would be very surprised. Small wonder then I felt so at home amongst Karen’s treasures. Effortless style and considered choices are what forms this lady’s interiors.
Paintings and samplers, delicate fabrics and linens are what meets the eye everywhere you look in any of Karen’s beautiful rooms. The art of layering vintage brocante is evident in every space without ever feeling cluttered. Spongeware bowls, jugs and trugs spill over with vintage silks and threads. Tactile spools of velvet ribbons and weathered scissors collected from many a brocante visit over the years, sit ready to use. This is a home where touching and feeling the décor is encouraged and where every corner, nook and cranny is afforded the luxury of timeless elegance.
And books. So many beautiful old pages sharing secrets of how to darn a sock, how to stitch a hole and how to preserve time worn fabrics for a future.
We three chatted comfortably throughout the day whilst Karen set to teaching us her art. One of elegant mending. Visible stitches to look every bit as decorative and fancy as they are functional. So many faded fabrics to choose from to add to a sampler blanket for Angeline and a French linen apron for me.
And for the process of mending and stitching itself, Karen quickly ascertained this novice needed a little more guidance than the quietly accomplished Angeline. I needn’t have worried I wouldn’t understand this new craft. There were no scary names used for stitches to frighten me off. Instead I was patiently shown where my needle should go in the fabric to achieve the look I wanted. Very soon I learnt a repertoire of stitches which will become both useful and decorative for my own purposes.
A delicious home-made lunch was served in gorgeous aged crockery which could surely tell a few stories of its own. (Note to self: take own time worn crockery off shelves and use it.) And in the afternoon, we continued to learn from our expert in what for me will be a truly memorable day. It is Karen’s wish that you will leave her and go home to look more closely at what you can preserve using methods our forebearers adopted which still hold strong today. It certainly makes you look at your charity shop donations a little more closely. And of course, I cannot wait to revisit my local charity shops and antiques markets with a new skill under my belt. I sense a few more blog posts in the making.
And so, having not been happy to previously spend longer than a weekend on my projects I find myself looking at my fabrics in a different light. Perhaps it is possible to have a number of stitching projects on the go without appearing frivolous or flighty like I had previously thought. Perhaps not everything needs to be completed right now. Maybe taking my time will help towards the calm in my life I crave.
My linen apron will certainly be a work in progress. I shall enjoy a rhythmic afternoon or two of darning and mending as the mood takes me. Already I have added a scrap of each of The M children’s childhood pyjamas using stitches taught to me. And look, I practiced these delightful flowers which I will now be able to sew carefully over several tiny holes my washing machine has generously provided me with in a few cardigans and jumpers. Not sure Mr M is ready for these on his shirt cuffs just yet. One day maybe.
I could only ever aspire to achieve even a small measure of the skill these clever ladies have acquired over the years, yet learn I will. I have set myself a personal goal this year to attend a number of Instagram found creative days. I only hope the others prove as welcoming and successful as this one did. Until next week…x
for more information on Karen’s creative days and retreats contact her through her beautiful Instagram account
Not only do you have an amazing talent for creating, but you absolutely excel in putting your experiences into words. I can’t say too much, because unfortunately I don’t share that same talent, but what I would like to say is the way you write your stories makes me feel I’m actually there experiencing them. (I could have been in the loo with you!!) I think that this is your best skill and this was another fantastic post. Well done, clever lady. Xx
You are the kindest lady and that is the loveliest comment to read, thank you. That loo was something else Karen… I was not coming out any time soon! When I write these stories I have two personal goals. One is to create as best I can a setting where you could be there yourself and the other is to inspire others to have a go at the subject themselves. If I achieve either of those I’m happy… as ever, I’m so glad you read them x
What a beautiful read… I would have loved to have been there with you; sounds blissful. As one who fondles fabric and finds any excuse to use stitchery to re-use, upcycle or simply to mend I have to say, it isn’t always just the fabrics that end up being mended. ( #createandmend )
Thank you for sharing such beautiful words, images and ideas…
Warm wishes – Claire
Claire, thank you so much for your lovely words both here and on my Instagram post. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post. I found myself quietly moaning on the way home last Friday, “I should have done this years ago!” I said. Years ago though, I wasn’t the me I am now. That impatient missus would not have appreciated last Fridays moment! I hope you’ll stop by again x
Oh what a perfect day, in a perfect place … lucky you! Well done for trying something new, and keep on stitching! There are some very talented people on IG who you could join for a stitchalong. Looking forward to seeing more of your apron Cxx
Cathy it was just the best day! And you’re so right, IG has many inspiring stitchers… starting with you! I just loved your Easter bags, so thoughtful and pretty too!x
Another great read with my coffee and large slab of carrot cake…in awe of your never ending talents and your skills to learn. An inspiration to me certainly. I only wish I could!!
Ooooh that sounds yum! You are perfectly creative and very lovely and a total support to me, thank you for always being here x
What a brilliant experience and so many lessons learned (not just with the stitching techniques). Works in progress always seem to become the more impressive projects, and seeing what amazing projects you do on your weekends, one can only imagine the incredible things you will create over time! A brilliant blog post, its so nice to hear all the wonderful stuff you get up too!
Darling thank you so much for this lovely comment! You’re so right of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that… told you I was getting better at this ‘patient stuff’!x
Oh Helen!
This is such a lovely read. I can’t wait for the madness that is my current life to settle so that I can focus on these kind of days.
I’m not sure what I love more… your account of a very special day or the unfailing love and support of your family in response to your blog posts!
Helen xx
Oh Helen that is such a lovely comment, thank you! Your time will come and you will enjoy it all the more. I am truly blessed with my gang… and that story would take a very long time to write, have a wonderful week and thank you for always being here, I so appreciate it x
Wow!! Fabulous post Hels, your best yet!! You are so gifted at this – when are you writing your book?!! Sounds a wonderful day, gorgeous photos as always xxx
Aah as ever so kind and supportive, thank you and for commenting too. It was a truly wonderful day, lucky I got to be a part of it x
My shirt cuffs are definitely not ready for little flowers just yet! It was lovely to see you return so happy and excited after your days sewing, chatting and eating xx
Well hello Mr M… we don’t often see you around here! Don’t worry I have enough of my own clothes to mend first… thank you for commenting darling x
Wow…I now understand completely why I came home to a starry eyed mother, with an apron around her neck, needles in her hands almost too excited to express everything she had learned!
I can see why you enjoyed it so much, this must be your very own version of Disney Land?! I loved reading this and can’t wait to see more crafts and pretties showcasing your new skills!
Fantastic as always xxxxx
Oh that is funny … my Disneyland of course! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read darling and I am loving adding to the ‘memory’ apron. I’m not sure I shall ever cook wearing it, perhaps just float around Belle in it?x
I was very blessed last week to have such wonderful and enthusiastic guests on my mending days. Helen, your words convey everything I set out to do and I can’t thank you enough. You can come out of the bathroom now 😂
Ha ha ha, very funny! You and your home are wonderful and I am so pleased to have had my day there and get to use this little old blog to tell my lovely readers all about it. learning new skills (at my age) are often technical ones and they are hurried, rushed and all about the now. How delightful to have had such a patient teacher to show me this new slow and thoughtful skill which I am so enjoying putting into practice. Thank you lovely lady x
Oh my goodness! Your words have made me grin like a Cheshire Cat! It goes both ways though and you were the perfect ‘pupil’. I will not deny that you have made me very happy 😊
I knew I was going to get along just fine with you when you said “unroasted, unsweetened almond is my favourite” x
Hi! I was at Karen’s on the previous day and agree it was a wholly wonderful experience! Her house is truly beautiful and her hospitality and stitching outstanding!
Kim
Hello Kim! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to leave me a comment… I love to know who reads. Aren’t we the lucky ones to have experienced such a wonderful day? Writing this blog wasn’t the easiest task I’ve had. I left so much out and don’t even get me started on the lunch! I hope you visit my blog again, you’re very welcome!x
Well Helen you have excelled yet again in this weeks blog!…. such a great read and I now want to go on a course like that! It sounds so lovely in every way….. and I reckon a perfect way to achieve your inner calm😘
Aah lovely friend, you would have enjoyed it very much. Start following Karen on Instagram as she adds more and of course I will let you know of more to come. Thank you for reading and for your lovely words… always there for me!x
I was taken back to last Friday, it was such a lovely day. I’m so impressed with your flowers, can’t wait to see the progress on your apron. Such a lovely blog. Angeline xx
Angeline thank you so much for your lovely comments… weren’t we the lucky ones? I am slowly adding to the apron and I have just seen your huge pile of mending which should keep you busy for a while! We must keep in touch, it was just lovely to meet you x