I am trying to recall when I fell in love with old textiles. I think it began simultaneously with the making of more abstract quilts. About the same time I began to collect and cherish very old pieces of beautiful, fine lace. I found the detailing and workmanship captivating. When I bought my first antique christening gown, I took notice of some of the Victorian whites. Those pieces above were from those years. I would still buy new fabrics for quilt making, but it was the old clothing, trims, and textiles that made my heart beat faster. And they still do.
An old French toile with a chinoiserie design.
I was redoing an old spool chair, too delicate to sit on, and removed the covering of silk with a cross stitch design. When I saw the scar formed by the tacks and the charm of inherent fading, I added it to my “treasure group”. This could rarely be created in the same way by intent.
Salvaged embroidered silk cuffs, old trims, and ribbons.
New fabrics
I certainly am not advocating buying old textiles to replace new, because there is a place for fabric that is sturdy and can be used in children’s clothing, quilts and other domestic uses, but after reading Elaine’s “10 Qualities of Slow Cloth”, here , I reconsidered some of these purchases and how we waste our resources, pollute our environment and diminish and reject the worn and old in favor of the new. I love the patina of old things. They seem to convey a history that is worthy, solid and timeless. They have the character of wabi sabi, that generous, gentle, and enveloping spirit.
i love that top photo. i like the way cloth hangs on. the softness of a worn surface. old things contain something slower. and story. they tend to be more unique. when i spend time with them i feel like i am traveling somewhere new.
I truly love your connection to worn cloth. Your description definitely resonates with your ethics as well as your depth and understanding of this medium. Your comment added a lot to this particular post. Thank you, Jude.
They do take my breath away, also. But, I always hesitate to takr apart. I wouldn’t want to slash the fabric. I do have some of my Mother’s old costumes and the fabric is so wonderful.
I understand your hesitation to not cut apart an older piece. For me, I view it as a form of preservation in some ways. I think if it is used in a respectful and honorable way then it becomes something perhaps even more meaningful. However, I am aware that my viewpoint is not shared by all. How lucky to have some of your mother’s old costumes. My guess is that she was in theater?
Hi there . . .thank you for the link to the 10 Qualities! I really appreciate it. Your blog is a lovely and inspiring oasis today!
These 10 Qualities I find so inspiring and helpful. It gives one a different and refreshing perspective on cloth, and its use as well as its honor. Your blog is very rich with current and important information that we all need to be aware of and consider. If you do not mind, I would like to copies these 10 Qualities and keep them in a book I have for inspiration, only for my personal use.
I love those 10 Qualities too. I have a lot of family textiles, including crocheted lace that my great grandmother did. It was nerve wracking the first time I cut it up, but I’m glad I have. I think that it’s important to make the old cloth be part of our lives, be useful in our world. I don’t think it was meant to be stored somewhere, brought out to be looked at and then put away. I’d better be careful, getting up on my soap box.
I think what is most important, since we all have different perspectives on these saved treasures, is that we find a “best use” for them according to this personal viewpoint. It must be very special to have a great grandmother’s crochet lace and use it in a way that honors and remembers her. Use and reuse. I think that is a good, healthy philosophy.
What beautiful treasures and the observation of how lovely textiles of the past can be. People love machines and new shiny things but somehow you just can’t beat something that has stood the test of time and been loved from then until now. I love to read about your love of textiles. I find your knowledge and your blog posts so interesting.
What a lovely comment. Thank you. How nice to read after a day of catch-up chores and life demands. As they say…it does feed one’s soul and how nice to be nourished in this way.
These old fabric look wonderful. They have a great vintage look