Still holding strong with Morris
- Farthings
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Not long ago, a client brought in a pair of curtains made from William Morris fabric — the Strawberry Thief pattern from 1883. They’d been hanging in the same sunlit front room for over twenty years. You’d expect the usual by then: colours softened, edges worn, linings starting to break down quietly at the seams.
But when we unhooked them and laid them across the counter, something stopped me. The fabric hadn’t faded. The tones were still rich — that deep indigo, the warm brick red, the golden ochre. It felt strong. Not brittle or tired, just… well-made.
Photo by Morris & Co
It’s one of those small moments that stays with you. Because it wasn’t just a nice surprise — it was a reminder of what happens when something is created properly and cared for patiently.
William Morris believed in that — not just in how things looked, but in how they held up. Beauty with utility, as he put it. And that’s exactly what we saw here.
A design from over a century ago, printed on cloth that had already lived through two decades of sunlight — and yet still holding its shape, its story, and its dignity.
If you’ve ever visited the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow — wmgallery.org.uk — you’ll know exactly what I mean. There’s something quite moving about seeing everyday items elevated by intention and care. These weren’t luxury goods. They were meant to be used — and to last. And many of them have.
It made me think about how often we overlook the things that quietly last. We’re quick to assume that after a certain point, something must be ready for the bin or the attic. But often, it’s just waiting for a bit of care.
We don’t always talk about household fabrics — curtains, tablecloths, throws — in the same way we talk about jackets or wedding dresses. But they often carry just as much memory.
They’ve seen Christmas mornings, family dinners, moments of ordinary life that mean more than we realise. And if they can be cleaned, restored, handled properly — that’s worth doing.
If you’ve got something similar — not necessarily a Morris, but something with meaning — feel free to bring it in. We’ll look at it carefully, check it over, and let you know honestly what’s possible. Sometimes it’s a gentle clean. Sometimes it’s advice to leave it as it is. Either way, it’ll be treated with the respect it deserves.
And if it turns out like those curtains — holding strong after all these years — then that’s a story worth preserving, isn’t it?
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🗺️ Get directions to our Trumpington Branch
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✨ Who is Farthings Dry Cleaners? Farthings Dry Cleaners is known as Cambridge and Trumpington's most sought-after dry cleaners. It's the ideal home for your high-end garments preservation and alteration to be cared for, helping them last as long as possible and always making you look stunning. Trust Farthings — where your garments are cared for like couture.
