Hi Guys,
So, I was vacuuming in my master bedroom the other day, and for some reason, I took special notice of my dust ruffle. The light was producing a shimmer that was truly luminous. That’s when I decided I wanted to talk to you about beautiful fabrics from the past.
Most people are drawn to things that are shiny and new. Especially when it comes to interior design. And granted, there’s a lot out there to choose from. Most at very reasonable prices. But when it comes to fabric, I find that the most exquisite pieces are vintage.
This is my dust ruffle. It’s crushed velvet, in the perfect shade of eggplant. Doesn’t it lend the perfect contrast to both the duvet and the carpet? But back to my point… I made it out of vintage fabric that was new old stock. It was made in the early 1970’s, but it was brand new. If you know what I mean! I found it at least 25 years ago at an antique fair in Pennsylvania.
Most people would never even look at it. However, if you know when and where and how to use these fabrics, you cannot beat the results. Certainly not with any mass produced, pre-made product you can find on any corner.
When I saw the fabric, I knew right away that it would make the perfect duster. That deep, dark, blackish purple reminded me of the night sky. I was able to combine what I saw with what I felt, and that put me on the right path. The bold colors, the elegance of the velvet…well, they may not be for everyone, but you can’t deny the natural beauty of a one-of-a-kind room.
And speaking of one-of-a-kind, check out this funky fabric I found on Ebay recently. It’s also velvet, from the early 70’s, and it was in perfect condition. The piece was 80” long by 54” wide.
So…what do you do with a random piece of fabric like this? How ‘bout some throw pillows?
I made three good sized pillows in no time. I kept two for myself and gave one to a friend who “just had to have it!” And I still have enough fabric left to make one more.
They look perfect on the couch, right?
So, don’t pass up those seemingly random, odd-sized pieces of fabric that pop up. Also, keep an eye out for vintage draperies. Those work great too. And any seamstress, or even your tailor, can make you a pillow and it won’t break the bank. All you need is a little imagination.