A Labour of Love

 

It has been a long time coming, but I finally finished the bed hangings for the Stuart bedroom of Daviot House.  The embroidery took a long time, but the lining, finishing, pleating and hanging seemed to take longer than I expected too.  But here it is, a lovely, cosy four poster bed, ready for the long, cold winter nights.  Just in time!

I bought this Warren Dick four poster bed in cherry wood quite a while ago.  It is lovely in its simplicity, and I wanted to make some really lovely crewel bed hangings for it.  Something from the early eighteenth century, along the lines of the Bulman Bed Hangings below:

Wool twill and wool tapestry threads would have been wildly out of scale, so I used silk thread on silk fabric.  The effect is perfectly scaled, even if the materials are not authentic for crewel work. 

I loved the bright colours and the imaginative flowers.  My own design was a little more floral, and I added some animals in places.  Also, tassels.  Can't live without them.

After finishing the embroidery, the hard part began... how to hang them on the bed.  I needed to line the curtains, which I did in a drab green habotai silk, which was a good colour match for the period.  I then had to work out how to pleat them. 

 A running stitch across the top didn't work, and I finally gave in and bought a Pretty Pleater (the last in the shop!)  I have avoided this for years, as I never liked the stiff uniform pleats I saw made with it.  But actually, if you are less than precise with your pleating, the effect can look really natural, and it worked very well on the silk.

After pleating I couldn't find the time to do more, so the project stalled for quite a while!

For the bedhead hanging I designed a cornucopia full of flowers.  It was a very traditional motif at the time, and represented plenty and fortune.  I also hid my family's initials in the design.

It was quite nerve racking attaching the pieces to the bed.

Getting the tassels to hand straight was a bit of a challenge too!

Then came the bedhead curtain... 

You can see the size of the stitches compared to the grain of the cherry wood... really tiny!

The panel sits just above the bedhead

Then came the side curtains.  I made two, and decided not to make curtains for the end of the bed, as the bedroom is relatively small, and I did not want the bed to overwhelm the room. Each embroidered panel has been sewn into place.

I also decided to put the far curtain on the wrong way, with the embroidery on the inside.  This is the angle the bed is seen at in the bedroom, and I didn't want to waste all that embroidery by hiding it and only show the lining on this side.

Now the overstuffed mattress... 

... covered by a beautiful antique linen handkerchief with a lovely lace hem.  

A few embroidered boudoir pillows, filled with lavender...

And now it is time to put the bed in the Stuart Bedroom of Daviot House...

This room has been waiting for the bed a long time, and I am so happy that the room is almost complete.

There is a crewel work nightcap on the dressing table - it goes so well with the bed hangings!

This painting was one of my first attempts using oil paints, and I am happy with the way she turned out.  My goal is that Daviot House only has original artwork not prints, I am just starting with oils and have a long way to go!

This carpet was completed a couple of years ago, and I was concerned that it would clash with the bed hangings, as the colours and style are quite different.  I think it works well, even in contrast to the armchair that I made, and stops the room looking too 'matchy'.

The chair has migrated from another room - it was made by Scottish miniaturist Brian Rumble, as was the chest of drawers in this room.  Sometimes the furniture in Daviot House seems to move around a lot, but I am satisfied that this chair will remain in this room.

Especially as there is another cornucopia on the seat to match the bedhangings!  Totally unplanned, believe it or not.

I think these elements work well together, which is a relief after all that sewing!  It can be so frustrating to work on pieces, and have an idea of how they go together in your head, only for it to clash horribly when finally put in place.  Phew!

There is something about crisp white sheets that always makes me want to snuggle up in bed.  They are so inviting.  I did contemplate making an embroidered bedspread, and I may still do it, but for the moment I like the contrast of clean white linen and very colourful silk.

I was also delighted that my two stumpwork mirrors fit perfectly with the bed.  I know it is strange to have two mirrors side by side, but perhaps the lady of the house is a collector...

This mirror is in fact true stumpwork - with elements in relief.  It is so hard to show, but the parrot wings are 3D, as are the flowers, and the tree has red silk apples.  The lady's skirt is detached as well.  I wish I could photograph this mirror better!

Wouldn't this be a nice room to spend a cold night, when the winter winds are howling outside and the rain is lashing at the window?

And I couldn't resist making a little video to show you the room in the 'all together'.

I hope you liked this tour of my recent Labour of Love,

Jonquil