Folksy Friday - More, Bigger, Fuller, Better

I'm currently experiencing a serious case of the dullsies where fabric is concerned at the minute.

I'm sure we all get it at some point or another but because my local shop is whittling down it's range even more, leaving me no option but to buy the very same fabric that everybody else buys online or the very same fabric that everyone else buys at Ikea, I've been a bit bleurgh about the whole thing lately.

Until I found a new love in tucks, rolled tucks, pintucks, gathers, frills and flouncy bits. It adds so much more depth and texture to an item that can otherwise seem quite flat and samey.

I mean for instance you could have a regular, square cushion, or you could have this one.


Trust me when I tell you that a lot of work and patience went into that cushion. Sewflair marked and pinned and sewed and pressed and marked again and lined up and pinned again and sewed and pressed and rolled and stitched and, look I could go just trust me, tons and tons of work.

I'm a complete sucker for a brooch, it's the one piece of jewellery I wear more often than not.



And this one from Midsummer Stitches is my absolute favourite. It's made of vintage lace, fabric, beads and even the buckle frame. Plus don't you just love the contrast between the delicate little flowers and the sturdiness of the frame surrounding and protecting them?

Speaking of delicate, how much do you love this little capelet?



Proving that knits are most definitely not all about the thick winter woollies, Maggie Cook has an entire range of these beautifully feminine little capelets in stock. Naturally the gorgeous corsages are included too!

Even though it doesn't look it, I'm an incredibly messy cook. Honestly, there's usually a frantic spit and shine preceding all of my foodie photos. And because of that I do need a good apron, I've ruined more clothes than I care to remember without one and absent mindedly wiping a buttery hand on jeans. Handily enough Birgitta Designs happily fills my apron needs and my new penchant for frills...



Would you look at all those ruffles. They're splendid, it's the only word good enough to describe them. Go on, say it out loud... Splendid. It just sounds full doesn't it.

I honestly do believe that I'd be a better cook wearing this apron, I really do. I could invoke the spirit of some totally awesome 50s housewife who could knock out seven course meals all while wrangling five kiddies and not even break a sweat.