Tag: #museum

Posted on

Corsets, Bustles and Lace – Vintage Fashion in Bath

Whatever the weather, there’s plenty to do in Bath.
Me and my chum had been planning a day out in Bath for ages and we’d hoped for some glorious sunshine. On the day we visited it was cold and raining, but that didn’t curb our enthusiasm for a fabulous day out. After lunch in Cafe Lucca we went rummaging around the streets looking some for vintage shops and found the most wonderful Vintage to Vogue, tucked away down an alley, and very close to the Fashion Museum. 
After another cup of tea (we like our tea), we popped into the Fashion Museum for some more vintage treats. Lucky us! There were two exhibitions on – the History of Fashion in 100 
Objects and Lace in Fashion. Here’s a browse through some of the treats we spotted on our visit. 
Gorgeous garments dating from the early 1600’s onwards.
All hand embroidered and hand stitched.  The workmanship’s breathtaking. 

Dresses from the Georgia Period in the 1700’s.

These Muslin dresses of the 1800’s.
 

A beautiful printed cotton day dress dated around 1860.
   
An embroidered Dolman – part coat, part cape, dated 1870.
 
A gorgeous, embroidered silk bodice and skirt dated 1865. 
 
Fabulous vintage ‘fashion on a ration’ 1940’s pieces.

The Lace exhibition was a smaller curated selection of the most exquisite pieces, ranging from historical to contemporary catwalk couture. 
 
Examples of bobbin lace, tatting, crochet and many other forms of lace are on display. 
I never knew there was so many forms of it!
  And to finish. 
I fell in love with this little number from Alexandra McQueen.
 
 If you’ve enjoyed my edited highlights, then pop along to see the other beauties on offer – vintage embroidered gloves, tiny shoes and there’s also some lovely outfits you can dress up in too!
Posted on

Lancashire’s Textile Heritage – The Weavers Cottage

As you might have already guessed, I love Lancashire. My mother’s family originate from a valley in Rossendale. Her ancestors were mill workers – weavers and spinners – and my fascination in our textile heritage stems from a childhood filled with stories and tales about the mills.
Last weekend, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit The Weavers Cottage in Rawtenstall.  It’s hard to believe that anyone would want to destroy such a stunning piece of industrial heritage, but they nearly did! – it was saved from demolition in the 1970’s.

 

Originally a Loom Shop, this building has had many uses over the years and still retains many of its original features including an array of beautiful, stone fireplaces on each of the floors.

 

The Rossendale Civic Trust curate the building and share their knowledge freely. Their enthusiasm in the buildings’s heritage is inspiring and made me want to research further once I returned home.
The top floor has a variety of looms, all set up and ready for use. The sound of a working loom is wonderful.

 

 

Yarn filled shuttles and bobbins are everywhere, ready for use.

(My Father gave me some shuttles years ago by a chap who was using them as firewood! They’re my pride and joy, safely hidden away in my sewing room.)
Over the years, the Trust have acquired various items  associated with local life. My favourite are from the shop of ‘J Crawshaw’,  the last clog maker in Rossendale.

 

A great deal of my embroidery has been inspired by my Lancashire heritage and I’m thrilled I was able to buy this piece of fabric which was handwoven on the premises.

This visit was a real treat for me. I went home buzzing with new ideas and a real sense of pride in my home County.