Originally Posted by illinois
I have linen table cloths and matching napkins that belonged to my mother and both grandmothers. Has anyone repurposed these into a quilt or is that a terrible idea? All seem to be in wonderful condition but who uses linen table cloths and napkins in our day of simplicity?! Our foremothers spent hours starching and ironing these. Seems I should come up with some idea that will preserve the fabrics in a more usable way.
I use linen napkins and tablecloths!! As a matter of fact, I am just waiting for them to come out of the washing machine. The easy way to handle them is to wash them immediately after use, and then put the wet tablecloth on the dining room table ...over the pads of course, "hand iron" and by the morning, it is dry and straight. I take the napkins out, smooth them out over each other and let them air dry. (The spots come from the heat of the dryer so I don't put any of it in there.) Sometimes I iron the napkins while damp, sometimes not. If they look too ironed, people don't want to use them. Be more casual with them. Don't really iron them and starch them, etc. My guests always feel special using them and my family always loves the special feel to them as well. Use them. Whatever are we saving all of the "good" things for? No one deserves then more than family and friends.