Artisan Christmas

Blog post by Selvedge founder Polly Leonard. Shops may have been pushing Christmas for some time, however, I’ve set my own personal marker for the beginning of the festive season – the 3 December. Whether you believe me or not – I am going to go ahead and say it – I can’t wait for the Selvedge Artisan Christmas fair at Chelsea Old Town Hall over the 3 – 4 December. The fair is always a rare opportunity to see a collection of talented designers and makers all under one roof and it is an absolute joy to be able to provide a platform to artisans I admire. Here are just a few that I am particularly excited to see at the fair… Firstly Noel Chapman’s Bleu Anglais specialises in some of the most beautiful vintage, paste-resist patterned indigo dyed fabrics and simple hand-woven indigo check workers cottons. If you’re at all a fan of indigo, this stall is for you. With each piece sourced personally by Noel in rural China, you never know exactly what you’ll find but I can assure you that he’ll have something exquisite that you can’t live without. Secondly Forest & Found combine two of my favourite materials – cloth and wood – to an understated but luxurious effect. Max Bainbridge’s carved spoons, bowls, honey rollers and rolling pins sit so well alongside Abigail Booth’s hand sewn quilts and cushions that you begin to wonder why more people don’t combine the two crafts more often. And if you’re looking for a touch of glamour, Kate Hodgson’s jewellery stall is not to be missed. She has a rare combination of talents, including her eye for colour and delicate craftsmanship. Ptolemy Mann is a designer whom I have been following now for nearly twenty years. I see her progression and Selvedge’s as intrinsically linked – an article she once wrote for us on gongadi inspired her to open up a whole new range of designs – and it feels absolutely right that she’ll be exhibiting with us this year. Her craftsmanship, design and materials are testament to the quality of the fair as a whole. All together we’ve selected 100 designers and small companies to bring you vintage haberdashery, antique textiles and many other textile treats. There is no better opportunity to buy special, handcrafted textiles and enjoy meeting and talking to the talented people that create them. And with so much to see you might have to stop for sustenance so organic savouries, delicious cakes and fine teas and coffees will be available in our pop-up café. Our central location offers the convenience of easy transport links and a host of textile related venues to visit, including the Fabric of India exhibition at The V&A museum – for anyone interested in textiles – I implore you to go. Whether you are planning a weekend in London, searching for gifts and decorations or hoping to find the perfect garment or accessory (perhaps you are looking for the materials to make your own?) you will find the finest textiles and inspiration at the Selvedge Artisan Christmas. Artisan Christmas Advanced booking recommended 3 – 4 December Chelsea Old Town Hall, London