Continental style and classic design has found its way to the Borders where Pat Douglas, of Carlenrig Farm, Teviothead, is producing stunning accessories and homewares made from vintage French linen.

Pat has always sewn, she says it’s the thrifty farmer’s wife in her that saw her making clothes for her four children when they were small, and now that they have all flown the nest she has turned her enjoyment of sewing into a business.

A former secretary of the Cheviot Sheep Society, she initially started as a card making business after taking voluntary redundancy from Borders College as a lecturer in admin and IT, but it morphed into something else with a little inspiration from her friend.

The Scottish Farmer:

Who can resist the charm of these linen cosmetic bags Ref:RH230118118

“My friend studied textiles in India and when she came back she held a class teaching how to sew delicate and intricate patterns. It really inspired me and as I was looking for something to fill my time around working on the farm with my husband, Walter, so I started sewing again.

“I started experimenting by making a few pieces, and when they sold well at craft fairs I knew there was a market out there for what I was making.”

The big leap was when Pat signed up for the Country Living Fair, in Glasgow, in 2016. She knew she had to have enough stock for the show so she was working hard for more than three months to make sure she has lots of ranges and plenty of them.

The Scottish Farmer:

Cosmetic bags with their contrasting lining make a beautiful gift Ref:RH230118119

The show was a tremendous success for her, the right product introduced to the right customers was an instant hit. She also won most festive stand at the fair, which guaranteed her a free stand at the 2017 show.

She makes the most stunning cosmetic bags, using crisp white linen, with hand sewn, delicate patterns that she has drawn and sewn herself, lavender features often as well as cow parsley seedheads which are a lovely shape to reproduce.

“I go out and take photographs of the flowers around the farm and some of the shapes and styles I use on my products come from those ideas.”

The Scottish Farmer:

Lavender loveheart Ref:RH230118122

As well as the cosmetic bags, she has extended her range now that she has learned another new skill. Sashiko sewing is a Japanese running stitch initially employed to patch jackets and is now a decorative art. She taught herself and now uses it in a variety of her bags, it makes a lovely geometric pattern which is really effective while being quite simple.

Taking her lovely hand made products around the local craft and agricultural shows in the summer has been a steep learning curve, but Pat has been delighted with the camaraderie that she has found among crafters. It is often a solitary occupation, so the company and useful tips have been invaluable.

“I’m happy with the size of the business just now, it is part time as I’m still needed on our sheep farm, and as I’m making everything by hand, it would be difficult to up production quickly should I need to.”

The Scottish Farmer:

Delicate needle cases Ref:RH230118123

Pat gets her French linen from her friend who lives in France. “It comes in all different weights, some is very fine through to a heavier hemp style linen. As well as the crisp white, I dye the linen to produce the simple cross body bags with leather strap, or the little purses and cosmetic bags in navy blue.”

She uses French linen as it is more robust, the French had a history of having cupboards full of sheets and tablecloths piled up. They love quality and that’s reflected in the linen they use.

Pat shows me around her sewing room, she comments that she is lucky to live in a large farmhouse and now that the children are gown she has a spare room that is now specifically for her business.

The Scottish Farmer:

The large and small sizes of cosmetic bags Ref:RH230118125

The items Pat makes conjures up an image in my mind, it’s French chateaus, rustic dressers, lavender drying in a corner, chaise lounge with her classic cushions strewn around the room. It seems that it also conjures up pleasurable images for her customers too, as she often sells out when she heads to craft fairs.

“I like to make useful, practical items. I think I have that make do and mend attitude that farmers have. I’ve always made my own curtains and cushions over the years and I still make clothes for my grandchildren.”

Now that she has the business up and running, what are her future plans. “I would love to be able to sew fabric that I have designed myself. I’ve tried screen printing, but I’ve thoughts of going down the digital fabric printing route. I’d also love to stock fabric for other people to buy.

The Scottish Farmer:

Patchwork needle cases Ref:RH230118126

That’s in the future though, at the moment I’m working on a few more products to add to my range.”

The Carlenrig Farm range is available to buy at Hawick’s Textile Towerhouse, Buy Design Gallery at Harestanes and The Flat Cat Gallery in Lauder. Pat is always looking for a few more stockists.

You can buy direct from Pat through her website, www.carlenrigfarm.com which she says she is going to try to be diligent in keeping up to date, she is far happier sewing, and you can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

The Scottish Farmer:

A selection of Pat's work, beautifully sewn and practical items Ref:RH230118138

Upcoming shows in 2018:

You can find Pat at Art at Ancrum, May 5-7, The Crafters in Melrose in May and September, Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair in Glasgow from November 15-18, 3D2D Art and Design Fair in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, December 8-9.

Product list: 

Cosmetic bags, small and large; framed collages; cushions, lavender hearts, drawstring bags, cross body bags with leather straps, aprons, needle cases.

Pat is happy to take commissions for personalised items. She can produce cushions for newborns which are personalised with names and dates.

The Scottish Farmer:

Crisp, white linen with blue trim catches the eye in this cushion Ref:RH230118134