Feeling like a Foster Parent

Fostering Unlovables

Abandoned lace textiles with rust stains, holes or tears lay lifeless in the back warehouse of an upscale Antique Store in Houston. They are stuffed into clear plastic bags piled one on top of the other, sometimes as high as 7 feet tall.  They are the "Rags" that didn't meet standards after the storekeepers' last European excursion that shipped a container to the states. My heart races and hands shake in excitement as I select from bags marked, pillow cases, runners, curtains, baby, rounds, tablecloths.
The feeling reminds me of going to the animal shelter and wishing with all my heart, that I could take them all...

Step one STAINING. My kitchen sees every stove burner covered by a tea filled cook pot (and even the microwave may see a safe bowl as well). English Blackberry, cooks up a beautiful subdued shade of lavender, a favorite with my customers.  Doily dropping, rinsing and hanging to dry is my new normal.  The textile orphanage that once was a place where children gathered to eat and talk about their latest adventures is now my sacred refuge where i find a sense of belonging as the foster parent of "unlovables".

Step two SORTING.  How the different fabrics and threads "take" the staining is unpredictable. They have their own voices.  Some, go into a "do again" pile as they came out to bold and bright to fit into the "soft spoken" palette I seek. They will be gently faded by bleaching in the sun. The others will find their place in the "New Life" bag. 

Step three. SEWING. Mood  dictates where to go from here. Often designing to Coffee House music from SIRIUS radio and other times, classic old movies, I gather inspiration by grouping varied shades of remnants and oppose their textures and pattern dimensions to fabrics, such as burlap or linen. When my eyes see them against each other, I see polka dots against plaid or purity against dirt! Much like life relationships.  I stitch by hand, collages of pieces and store them for later.

HANDBAGS, SASH'S, SLIP DRESSES, LAMPSHADES, JOURNALS, FRAMED THOUGHTS and more are based on the day's inspiration.  What a tough life! 

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS:

Yesterday's accomplishment was re purposed remnants  ruffled onto simple vinyl tote bags with gatherings of lace against burlap.  Listed on etsy under FrillSeekerz at 45.00 each or 2 with 30% off.