Best Bets

Photo: Mitchell Feinberg

The Best Bet
Knitting broke the hipness barrier long ago, but quilting hasn’t had quite the same enthusiastic revival. It’s not exactly portable, and the time commitment is far greater. Ian Hundley’s creations could be the necessary spark. The 34-year-old Canadian has been sewing for decades but made his first quilt just seven years ago. His patterns are taken from a book of topographical maps of Western Europe that he “borrowed” from his ninth-grade classroom and never returned. The fabrics come from Hundley’s friends, thrift shops, even his own clothes, and each quilt takes a month to make ($2,000 to $8,000 at An Earnest Cut & Sew, 821 Washington St., nr. Gansevoort St.; 212-242-3414; ianhundleystudio.com).

Photo: Courtesy of Petit Bateau

April Fools’, French Style
In France, the first of April is poisson d’avril, and pinning a paper fish on an unsuspecting friend’s back is the height of hilarity. Petit Bateau’s version for kids comes with a printed fish whose charm will outlast the day ($18 to $24 at Petit Bateau, 1100 Madison Ave., at 82nd St.; 212-988-8884).

Photo: Davies + Starr

A Secret Source for To-the-Trade Trims
Bypass the expensive furniture and fabrics on the main floor of Baranzelli–Silk Surplus and go straight to the third floor for a wealth of tassels, tie-backs, and fringe at closeout prices. These silk tie-backs can cost as much as $200 elsewhere, but here they are $40 each (942 Third Ave., nr. 57th St.; 212-753-6511).

Photo: Davies + Starr

The Stashable, Multipurpose Hybrid
Protocol’s diminutive ironing board hits all the necessary urban-apartment requirements. It’s also a step stool, and it folds to a mere three inches thick ($50 at Gracious Home, 1217 Third Ave., nr. 70th St.; 212-517-6300).

Photo: Davies + Starr

The Last of the New Old Stock
A mother lode of highly collectible, untouched Marshall Studios ceramics—originally created in the sixties—was recently acquired by, and is currently for sale at, the Golden Calf. It’s the last known stash of original Marshall Studios inventory, and it’s going fast. The lamps range from $125 to $650 (86 N. 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-302-8800).

Photo: Davies + Starr

Still Groovy After All These Years
Next week, a selection of shoes from the revived iconic British brand Biba arrives on Bergdorf Goodman’s second floor. Made from the original lasts, the collection has two heel styles—wedge and stacked—with the expected colorful, patterned fabrics. The style shown is $585 (754 Fifth Ave., nr. 57th St.; 212-753-7300).

Best Bets