Tuesday 4 August 2015

Recycled tapestry love...

So, um, I was totally tidying the living room to show you the new sofa but I accidentally started with the inside of my filing cabinet. A whole day and two sackfuls of shredded paper later, the living room isn't any tidier. In fact it may be worse. But at least there is some semblance of order in a small part of it. When I get around to taking pictures of the living room you can rest assured that it'll be lovely inside and out.

I have developed a new love which I'd like to share with you today instead of my sofa. Well, strictly speaking it's an old love but it's used in a new way here.

Tapestry. I love the texture, the warmth and the meaning it holds for me. My mother was a keen stitcher and I used to spend a lot of time at it too. We made pictures to frame and cushions galore. But those tapestry pictures have fallen out of favour and I just can't cope with too many cushions. I even have a pile of completed tapestries that I never made into anything. So what to do with them all? Hmmm...


Here are my beloved vintage tapestry handbags.





They're very pretty but won't hold much more than a lippy and some keys. I'm a big bag kinda gal.

As luck would have it I stumbled across these amazing bags on the web, all made from upcycled tapestry!




Cool or what? Anyone could do this...




The bag above makes me think of Fiona.



I love that it's something grannyish used in a new and practical way. No point having a pile of tapestries in the loft right?


Oh my word, someone's been busy!



But what if you don't have a stack of them in your loft?
I picked up two large framed tapestries for £2 each at the boot sale on Sunday. Er, just to add to the pile in case I run out. I'm sooo making one of these bags. There are some great bag sewing patterns to be found on ebay...





But why stop there?
Have you ever seen a tapestry lampshade?



How sweet are they?

If you have a little more time on your hands, how about covering your sofa?


Embellishing a coat?


There are some very creative people out there. I love these ideas.

An entire coat made from vintage tapestries?


Stunning. I'd be smiling too.

Skirts?




What about this inside out deconstructed tapestry skirt?



Certainly different! I hope you've enjoyed this post and you've found something that inspires you. I know I'm not the only vintage textile junkie. I will no longer be passing up those old tapestry pictures and firescreens that no one wants at the boot sales any longer.

If only I could find my bag sewing pattern. It's somewhere in the living room. Better crack on with the tidying...

Most of the sources for these pictures can be found HERE

34 comments:

  1. No you are not the only textile junkie....I'm a total freak!!...

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  2. There's some fab inspiration here. I'm always coming across tapestries at car boots and jumble sales. I've used them to stitch to the back of denim waistcoats but the bags are fab. xxx

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    1. I hope you'll be snapping them up in future Vix! You can start your sweat shop up again for next years festivals!

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  3. Wow, there are some wonderful ideas for tapestry re-use here. I love the deconstructed skirt! Now, get on with that tidying! M x

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    1. I wasn't sure about that one, I think I'd liker it more the right way round but it's certainly unique!

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  4. I expect I inspire you with my tidying efforts didn't I ;-) Some lovely idea for using tapestry here - I must get around to a chazzing post at some point, my latest thing is collecting jelly moulds for some reason. xx

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    1. Hehe. You're probably going to make some awesome lighting feature out of them. You just don't know it yet. ;)

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  5. oohhh im loving the tapestry and what great ideas other than the bags. But I have to say I love the bag with the blue tits on so sweet. Loving the skirt to. I have a black tapestry evening bag it used to belong to my Aunty who died 3 months ago and I love it, thanks for sharing today and for the inspiration :-) dee x

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    1. How nice to have something so lovely to remember her with.

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  6. I love your sense of humor! It seems you have trouble staying focused, too. hehe

    Those bags are gorgeous! I'm not one for lots of shiny metal bling on purses, so the tapestry bags with leather handles would be right up my alley. I can't wait to see the bag you create.....as soon as you finish organizing your living room. I hope you find your pattern!

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    1. I'm with you on the bling! Give me rust over bling any day.

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  7. These are very lovely indeed... and yes those red and white parasols remind me of our favourite bar in Vouvant. I'd love to own a tapestry bag like that but with my limited sewing skills I think a cushion would be a good place to start. One day maybe... Will look forward to seeing your bag and I think you should do a lampshade too! x

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    1. You've made a skirt so a bag won't be a problem for you. I'm panning a zipless version so easier than a cushion.

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  8. What beaut bags, hard to leave those lovely old tapestries at the op shops! Now I know what to do with them!

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    1. You're very clever with your creations, I'm sure you could run up a bag in no time!

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  9. Inspirational post! I too will now be looking out for old tapestries. As if my head isn't already full enough of ideas you have to give me more!! As for bag patterns, there are plenty of brilliant ones on the net for free. I make a lot of bags and have either made up my own, used free ones, or on a rare occasion paid for one (e.g. from www.dogundermydesk.com - extremely good instructions). This book is good too - The Bag Making Bible by Amy Butler. My local library had it.

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    1. What a good idea Lizzie, thank you. I'm searching for free patterns as I type!
      I think my friend has that book. I might have to swipe it!

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  10. I just love going to a flea market or girly event and seeing what someone comes up with in new ideas.
    love that tapestry coat

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  11. What a creative way to reuse tapestries. I love the bags especially.

    Lizzie Dripping

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  12. I do like the bags. Definitely one to keep in mind when I next spot an old piece of needlework in the charity shop.

    I'm very glad I found your blog yesterday morning btw. I was up at 6am feeling despondant about the mess the lounge was in, we've just got round to redecorating it despite being here for 18 years now. Had to pay for the new roof, new windows, new kitchen, new...well, long list, the lounge wallpaper and boss plaster we could live with. It was nice to read some inspirational stuff for a change rather than having to look up new and creative ways of fixing bossy plaster.

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  13. glad you're back. Fascinating post, all those gazillions of stitches ♥

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  14. Wow, the bags look great, what a good idea. Forget tidying - get sewing instead! xx

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  15. Ohmygod!! That sofa! THAT. SOFA. Be still my upholstery-loving heart. Making a bag is also a genius idea.
    Love, Hilary Duff xxx
    P.S. your comment made me snort laugh. In a totally chic way, of course

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  16. I too love new bugs made from Old tapestries...I made a across the body bag from an old hickory hickory dock tapestry cushion I found in the charity shop. Its the true meaning of up cycling, I love it and you've just given me an idea for the pockets on my army coat :)

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  17. That's going to be my second attempt, an accross the body bag! I'd love to see yours. Good luck with the new business!

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  18. Those are all pretty cool ideas! I found a lovely tapestry skirt in a charity shop!x

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  19. LOVE your tapestry bags! And the rest of the tapestry related items... I dabble with embroidery, I've looked at tapestry kits but they're quite pricey :(

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    1. Thank you! I keep finding old framed ones for a quid or two and I'm amassing quite a pile!

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  20. OMG! You are so talented! My mother passed away recently from Alzheimer's but hee love for birds will forever be etched in my mind. I want to buy the bird tote you show pictured on the beige stool. Please tell me it is available for me to hold my projects in when U am travelling?!

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  21. ca fait quelques années que je fais aussi des sacs à mains ou de voyage avec les tapisseries demi point j'adore... j'ai le projet de faire une veste aussi mais pas encore eu le temps . le dernier sac est en cours ... avec des jolis coquelicots.

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  22. Fabuloso todo lo q hacés!!!! Yo guardo los cinturones y con éso fabrico las asas.!!!!

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