Friday, October 26, 2012

You say eiderdown, I say édredon...

...or at least, I do now!
So, I promised a friend I'd pop into the charity shop today, to look out for an old duvet for her dog's kennel...
Amongst the duvets (and I bought one for you and one for me, Jane!) were two bags labelled: 'édredon'. Can that mean what I think it means, I wondered?
Well, yes, it pretty much does!
You can see my mum's piece of eiderdown fabric, at the top of this photo, and the two French ones (probably the same period - do you think 1930s?) below. The French fabric isn't glossy - it's fairly coarse, in fact, but I do rather think they're going to go together well. French édredons are small and square, I was told. I think they will fit well on the end of the bed in the winter, though, for pulling up over shoulders when it gets really cold... And I think I'll use the down duvet I bought for myself as an innard for the eiderdown fabric I found in my mum's drawer...

The lady from the charity shop suggests a trip to the huge washers and driers at the laundrette down the road - what do you think, friends? Will they all survive the wash and dry (plus balle de tennis, of course)?
There was some very 'me' fabric at the charity shop too - it might be fun as a table cloth?
And finally, two bark cloth bed covers - I only bought this one, as the other one, trendy bark cloth or not, just made me want to cringe... some big, dark flowered patterns do that to me.

The holidays are nearly here! The trip to the charity shop took place thanks to a cancelled English lesson, and I have two more lessons to teach (one maths, please don't laugh if you know my ability, and one English) and then the holidays begin! I still have some work, but plenty of time with the boys too, and, I hope plenty of time to share some more of our modern vintage life in France with you! Thanks for holding on in there, friends - your comments were very kind when I was so busy. So, see you after the weekend!

11 comments:

French Nanny said...

I'm going to drive down to where you live - I NEED to go to those charity shops! Can you give me addresses?

Penny
x

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Beautiful edredons. I found a paisley feather eiderdown a few months ago (30p in a jumble sale - utter bargain). I washed it in our washing machine (it was a single bed one) on a woollen wash and then popped it in a tumble drier. I was very nervous about it but I'd read somewhere that the trick is to dry the eiderdowns quickly so that the feathers don't go all clumpy. Anyway, it worked a treat. Good luck. xx

Floss said...

http://friperie-relais-blagnac.com/boutiques/

Hen said...

Oooh Floss, I am giddy with eidy envy! Great finds, well done you. I have a bit of that yellowy floral fabric on one of your eidys. I have washed them before in my machine (single size) and line/airer dried (I don't have a tumble drier). They've been fine with one exception which came out with huge tears and is now a cat bed. The fabric was obviously not that strong. A shame but that's life and the cats are happy! Enjoy the holidays.
Hen x

Kezzie said...

Oooh, they look pretty! Hurrah for holidays! You lucky lot in France get two weeks don't you! We only have one! I'm soooo needing a holiday!x

Elizabethd said...

Well....a friend of mine put her charity shop edredon in the washing machine. That was fine. but then she put it in the seche-linge...and it exploded. Feathers everywhere! So, be careful

helen tilston said...

I love your purchases and don't know what to say concerning laundering them, particularly if they are down. I have had conflicting advice on down eitherdowns.

Enjoy your well deserved holiday
Helen xx

Elderberry-Rob said...

Well done Floss, you have a good eye for a bargain and are so knowledgeable about your subject - you got a fantastic find this time. Hope the wash goes well - I'm sure it will - these things were built to last. Betty

Nancy McCarroll said...

You scored, Floss! They will likely hold up in the wash. Good for you on finding these treasures.

Lorrie said...

Lovely finds, Floss. Enjoy your holidays!

Pom Pom said...

Oh, thank you for the glimpse of gorgeous fabric, Floss!
I'm glad you get a break! Me, too!