France and Fabric

You don't think I would go on a trip and not have fabric involved in some way.  We are traveling in the Provence region of France. Most people are familiar with the traditional Provencal fabric.I forgot to take a photo.

I found some other, quite colorful fabrics made right here.This was a shop in Arles.

Beautiful Jacquards manufactured here (and invented here around 1800) are primarily made into tablecloths.They are woven and heavier in weight.   I saw this one and I fell in love.  I'm a sucker for aqua and chartreuse.  The fellow who owns this store is also  a manufacturer.

He also had some other beautiful fabric of which I had to partake! Linen and this bright floral.  I have plans for both.

I had my own bit of drama on our ship.  The crew aboard this Viking ship will do anything they can to make you happy, but I found the one loop hole. Whenever I travel, I bring some type of handwork.  Often it's a project with fusible applique.  I don't fuse all the pieces down before I leave home because they will inevitably fray or fall off before I can stitch them down.  I rely on using the hotel's iron.  At most hotels there is an iron in your room and if there isn't, a call down to the front desk will bring someone to your room with an iron and ironing board in hand.  I figured I could rely on this logic for our river cruise.  Was I surprised.

After about 2 days, I needed an iron to fuse more circles onto one of my Curvalicious projects. There was no iron in my room.  So I visited the front desk to ask for an iron.  "No, I could not have an iron, I was politely told.  It is a safety hazard. We would be happy to iron your clothes for you."  But it's not clothes I said and of course she looked at me with a very quizzical look.  Also, keep in mind that English is not the first language of most of the crew.  I told  her that I would only need an iron for 5 minutes and I would be happy to go downstairs to the laundry or wherever it is that they iron.  I'm sorry she said, we can't allow it. Now I am getting pretty frustrated.  The driving force became less  that I wanted to finish stitching, but to get my hands on an iron.   I know how to use a damn iron and I only wanted it for 5 minutes.  She told me she would speak to Housekeeping.

The head of Housekeeping told me they would be more than happy to iron my clothes. They even left a note in my room to that effect.  IT'S NOT CLOTHES!!! After a couple of hours I stopped at the front desk again and was told this time that the Ship's Director would have to approve.  How hard could this be?  Walking through the dining room I saw 2 cordless irons that they use to iron tablescloths in place. " Please, please, please, can I use an iron?  I saw them in the dining room."

Well, finally, I was given permission to use the irons in the dining room with supervision after dinner service. Come back at 10:00PM.  If you know me that is way past my bedtime, but I managed to stay awake.   This was way too important.  The crew member, Palma, who supervised me was so sweet and was so curious about what I was doing.  I was told I could come back any time. Thanks Palma.

Ironing on the buffet!