Through the course of business, we have dressed many beds for clients. We sometimes start with an antique element, like a wool wholecloth quilt or early valances, and complete the project with reproduction textiles. Current projects include fine wool bed furnishings for an 18th century home on the Chesapeake and a white on white embroidered set of hangings for an historic home in Washington, DC.
Indigo Resist
Indigo Resist was a method of creating a pattern by block printing a paste onto the fabric and then dyeing it in an indigo dye tub.The reason you see this only in blues is that indigo dyes with cold water, which does not disturb the resist. The paste would be removed afterwards, leaving the pattern undyed on a blue background. We occasionally have antique resist fabric for projects, but most often use the very good reproductions currently available. Our logo is and American indigo resist peacock, circa 1775.
Crewelwork
Crewelwork patterns, many of which are stylistically similar to the Indian palampores, were popular in this country in the 18th century. They were used in beautiful bedhangings, hand embroidered by industrious needlewomen.
Toile Bed Dressing
An 18th century Philadelphia mahogany bedstead that we have dressed in a soft green cotton toile reproduction. Note that we have inversely mimicked the shape of the triple tombstone headboard in the shape of the upper valances. The bedcover is a bright red wool wholecloth quilt with a central grid design of hearts and flowers with graceful border quilting.
