Both Betsy and I love Margery Williams' The Velveteen Rabbit. This story, first published in 1922, was an absolute favorite for the appreciation of the connection between a child and a consistent, calming object that can be loved so much, physically and emotionally that it becomes real in the mind of that child.
At Queen Bee UpStyle, we believe in The Velveteen Rabbit concept. We source beautiful antique, vintage, and pre-loved textiles, and reimagine them into the hottest, boho-chic wardrobe statements of the moment, creating a timeless, heritage craft you can wear.
These textiles, often handmade with unmatched skill and incredible care, often take years to create, and have been enjoyed for their warmth and beauty, sometimes for over a century, before we upstyle them into a jacket or jeans. We rescue the quilts and other textiles by relieving them of thread bare spots and torn stitching, and what emerges from the remaining fabric is lovely and it is real; then we breathe new life into these heritage textiles to ensure they're beautiful and practical for you to love in today's lifestyle.
To recycle a sentiment and paraphrase a disclaimer shared by Jen Risk, cult hero of UpStyling, from Hathaway Hutton: Please understand that the vintage and antique quilts and textiles enjoyed a long history, were used some for over a century, by the people that loved them before we rescue and reimagine them and give them new life.
While we clean each quilt very well - we launder, spot treat, and air them - there may still be fading and spots, and wear and tear, that you will see on Queen Bee UpStyle pieces from sunshine and spills, love and life. For example, a favorite Pink & Green Ohio Star coat has a bit of matching green paint on the back, left shoulder. You can envision this the beautiful quilt draped across the end of a bed while a mom and dad decorate a room around this special heirloom. Each piece comes with its own history, and no two are ever the same. They are loved and they are real.
Enjoy!