A Toile Temptation...

Yesterday I took a friend to visit Tissus Gregoire - a fabric shop or should I say warehouse - on the outskirts of Avignon. This shop is not known for the beautiful display or compelling website; it is a shop for those fabric lovers who know exactly what they want and how any metres. The fabrics are many and messy - the toiles are muddled in with the silks and the linens rub up with the velours. It is the kind of place where you take a deep breath before you enter, dig deep to find your patience and be prepared to spend time and look hard. Having said all that it is also the place for a good buy. The fabrics are good quality and of reasonable price - the choice is enormous. 

I have always loved toile, such a romantic cloth and so very French - the prints depict such sweet tales of love and adventure.

These are just some of many toiles available other than the classic single colour ways. I couldn't seem to choose yesterday, sometimes too much choice is worse than not enough and the variety becomes overwhelming. I have decided I will go back and buy enough fabric to make some square tablecloths and napkins for outside; I imagine using them picnic style on the lawn - one pattern for the cloth and the other complimentary toile for the napkins.

If you ever visit Avignon and feel like filling your suitcase with fabric then take a little detour away from the walled city - it's not the most scenic of routes or the most interesting of destinations but for the home lover it is a paradise, xv.