Little Magnolia is the smaller of GP & J Baker's magnolia designs in the Eldon collection, with branches, buds and open flowers drawn at a scale that suits an ordinary room rather than a double-height one. Printed on viscose and linen, the line is fine, the ground shows through, and the cloth falls softly enough for gathered headings. Magnolia is a good subject for a mid-scale print because the branches give the design a structure to hang on, so it never dissolves into scattered flowers.
Composition is 82 per cent viscose and 18 per cent linen, 137 centimetres wide, with a 62 centimetre vertical and 45.6 centimetre horizontal repeat. Abrasion is tested at 20,000 rubs on the Martindale scale. GP & J Baker list it for curtains, loose and fixed upholstery and bedspreads. Five colourways: Emerald, Willow, Teal/Orange, Pink/Orange and Espresso. Willow and Espresso are the tonal ones; Teal/Orange and Pink/Orange set two colours against each other; Emerald is the deepest.
We would use this for curtains in a bedroom, for a Roman blind in a bathroom, and for the seat and inside back of a bedroom chair. It also makes a good bed valance under plain white linen. Pair it with one of the Eldon stripes and a plain in the ground colour. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.
Three horizontal repeats fall across the width, so a blind cuts from a single drop and curtain seams can be placed between branches. Add one 62 centimetre repeat per drop for matching. On a chair, centre a flower on the inside back rather than letting the repeat fall where it likes, and cut the seat from a separate length so the branches run upward.
Composition: 82% Viscose 18% Linen
Width: 137 cm (53.9 in)
Pattern repeat: 62 cm vertical, 45.6 cm horizontal
Abrasion resistance: 20,000 rubs (Martindale)
Care: Dry clean professionally only; do not wash, bleach or iron
