Olelé

This week I received a special order from Atlanta. Christy loved one the green african print fans in the shop and asked for a similar one, left-handed.

This pair of fans is already on its way to the other side of the ocean, I hope Christy likes them as much as I do!

Making a left-handed fan takes the same time as making it right-handed. It’s just a matter of lining it in the opposite direction, so that it opens to the left, instead of to the right.
However, working the other way round feels strange and I stop now and again to hold it as if I where left-handed and make sure I’m doing it right.

Even if we are not aware of it, we are surrounded by all kinds of things made to be used by right-handers: corkscrews, can openers, screws, scissors… Left handed products are simply unusual.

Most of the hand fans I make are right-handed, but I offer the possibility to make a left-handed copy and, if that’s not possible (sometimes there’s no fabric left or the pattern doesn’t fit) I do my best to make it as beautiful as the original.

♥ If you are interested in a left-handed fan similar to the ones available in the shop, contact me.

One of the things I love most when buying online is finding those tiny details that show the origin of the package: the sender’s handwriting, the stamps, etc.
The two Fat Quarters (What’s that?)  I found some time ago at Karen Sato’s Washimatta shop came nicely packed,  with charming japanese stamps on the envelope.

I fell in love with those patterns as soon as I saw them, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to finally get to touch such a famous fabric. What a great choice; Liberty Tana Lawn in a deliciously light fabric, built with tightly woven extremely thin threads.

As soon as I received my purchase, I realised this fabric could make a great fan lining. It can be easily starched and ironing it is a real pleasure; it’s almost like working with paper, more than fabric.

♥ There’s plenty of information about Liberty fabrics online. A bit of history here.

Although Liberty is a UK-based company, many of their patterns are printed and sold in Japan. It’s also possible to find affordable fabrics there.
This post written by Erin from A dress a day contains lots of information about where to find Liberty fabrics online and bargain prices in London!

A quality fabric deserves quality wood, so I chose the nice Bubinga staves I recently received from Aldaia (Valencia).

Liberty Tana Lawn and Bubinga wood fans, in Olelé’s shop.

On my last trip to Barcelona I visited Jeanne Weis’ shop.
Jeanne is a Belgian specialized in african textiles who owns a cosy, colourful shop. If you pay her a visit, be sure you have enough time to get used to the overloaded prints and enjoy their variety. If in doubt, ask Jeanne. She is really nice.

Photo © unlike.net

All fabrics sold at Jeanne’s come from Holland. Oddly, it was the Netherlands that took, at the end of the 19th century, the art of Batik from Indonesia to Africa. When Indonesia closed the borders to Dutch imitation batiks (to protect its own batik workshops) these fabrics made their way to Africa.

One of the remaining companies is Vlisco, which specializes in high quality fabrics .
At first, designs where basically Indonesian, but Vlisco eventually made them suit the taste of the new customers, and today the most common prints are based on the African traditional forms, mixed with modern motifs.

Other manufacturers have followed the same path, and it is not difficult to find quality fabrics at more affordable prices. ‘Genuine Dutch Wax Block Print’, ‘Real Dutch Wax’ or ‘Veritable Wax Hollandais’ are some of the designations for these alternative brands.

This time I got two metres of fabric. I’ve used it to line fans and I love it. It required very little starch to stiffen it, and pleats remain perfect. It’s a strong yet light fabric, very nice to work with.

In addition to that, the patterns can be cut in any position, they’re always different and playful.

Wooden and fans lined with African fabric now available in the shop.

♥ Jeanne Weis C/ Raurich, 8. 08002 Barcelona (Spain)

This is the fan I made with the fabric I bought at La casita de Wendy. It’s such a light voile, I had to use iron-on interfacing at the back.