vintage

Hawthorne & Heaney needs you !

March 2, 2018 by Claire Sarah Barrett

OPEN CALL and VIP ACCESS

As artisans we are drawn to beautiful things.

The art we work on is a reflection of our taste and dedication.

We asked ourselves why shouldn’t the the luxury we surround ourselves with daily be reflected in the tools of our trade.

As embroiderers, frustrated with hunting through the ever dwlinding treasure trove of vintage and second hand, we decided to create some tools that would be a pleasure to use, collect and admire.

After all the journey is as important as the destination !

The Heaney’s Haberdashery team want you to tell us about the tools you use. Let us know your favourites and the reasons behind why.

We are developing some long lost gems and we need your feedback on what tools you would like to see and why.

Sign up to the Newsletter to find out how you can get involved, VIP access to limited edition runs, Early Bird discount codes and updates on our progress.

Hawthorne & Heaney visits Peranakan Embroidery Boutiques in Singapore

July 12, 2017 by Natasha Searls-Punter

During a recent visit to Singapore, one of the team at Hawthorne & Heaney took a sight detour off the tourist trail and visited one of the Peranakan Embroidery heritage boutiques in the suburbs. This small street houses a couple of shops in which they are keeping the more traditional embroidery techniques of the region alive. One such place is called Rumah Bebe which is lovely in itself as it is covered in patterned tiles and gilded woodwork. They house a wide range of Nyonya garments such as sarongs, embroidered jackets and beaded shoes. As is fitting to the work that has gone into them, the pieces are quite pricey, but well worth it for how lovely they are.

Kim Choo Kueh Chang is also next door where you can sample traditional Nyonya cakes from the cafe downstairs made with coconut, condensed milk and pandan leaves which gives them a bright green colour. They have a little shop of trinkets but upstairs is where you will find the best bits as they have a range of embroidered pieces which line the walls and a variety of vintage items on diplay in their exhibition. They explain a little of how the embroidery is intergral to the wedding services of the culture with the examples around for context.

A personal favourite had to be this part completed design, still on the frame which demonstrates a little of the technique that is used to create these pieces and the scale of the beads that form the designs.

To see more of what they have to offer, visit their websites above or watch the video below for a glimpse of the action.

Hawthorne & Heaney on Vintage Embroideries

May 19, 2016 by Natasha Searls-Punter

Hawthorne & Heaney is having a bit of a clear out at the moment and so we have decided to let some of our archive vintage embroidery pieces go. We would love to see them go to a good home, where they will be appreciated as much asthey deserve to be. Below you can see a selection of the pieces we have currently available on ebay. If you would like to have your own piece, why not see what the listing have to offer.

Green Lady Wall Hanging

Ecclesiastical Robe Ornaments (Cross Stitch)

Victorian Lace Sleeve

Ecclesiastical Robe Ornaments (Gold Wire)

Hawthorne & Heaney for Jaye Pearce

July 11, 2014 by Natasha Searls-Punter

A few months ago we were approached by an interiors consultant called Jaye Pearce for a rather special project, her wedding dress. She had decided she wanted something different and being a creative person, decided that she was going to have a little more of a hand in what her gown would look like than just choosing it, she was going to design it.

This is the point where we starting discussing the possibilities for making her design a reality so Jaye presented us with a detailed sketch of the design she wanted for the top of her outfit which was going to be in a very sheer fabric with delicate beadwork. The design comprised of deco inspired fans complimenting the contours of the body, a scattering of stars and romantic cabbage roses surrounded by daisies. The design had a quite whimsical nature with all its delicate components so to reflect this is was decided that the beads would be a combination of seed pearls and satin cut frosted glass beads in the traditional ivory tone. This was highlighted with very fine silver stitched details which offset the lining which was in a vintage blush pink.

Jaye has very kindly sent us some pictures from her big day where you can see the full outfit in all its splendour and so you can see the beading how it is meant to be seen.

And here’s the lady herself, congratulations to the happy couple for all the ladies at Hawthorne & Heaney!