Do you have any vintage linens and what do you do with them?
 

I have some beautiful lace, and embroidered vintage linens such as table cloths and napkins. I was wondering what others have done with theirs? My adult daugthers are not interested in them and I'd like to "do" something with them. Any suggestions?

i have a whole box of antique lace- and many embroidered hankies & table toppers/clothes- i incorporate these items into other projects (like using a lace edged hanky as a doily under a vase of flowers in the center of a quilt) or use pieces in crazy quilt projects. the first time i wanted to cut one of my items it took me about a week---i was so afraid i would ruin it- or regret it- or .... but it worked out great- the project is wonderful and very much loved by the recipient & means even more to her because i did add that special hanky & antique lace. may as well use them when / where you can- better than someone just tossing them later- or sending them off to goodwill....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]351907[/ATTACH]my grandmother & my hubby's grandmother were best friends- even helped each other deliver their babies- my grandmother passed away 18 years ago- his is still with us- i made his this quilt for her 88th birthday- the hanky under the flowers as a shelf is one that belonged to my grandmother- it means so much to his grandmother! i was the only one in a huge family who wanted any of this (stuff) from my grandma- and have a box of old hanky's, lace doilies, linens---some of which i rescued from a trash bag! i've made gifts for 6 of her 8 kids (my mom, aunt's & uncles which have had pieces of grandma- along with a few cousins/ other friends/family members.

I just made a pillow using an embroidered table scarf and some old chenille...part of the table scarf was damaged from use, looked like maybe some perfume or something stained it and worn a bit thin in the center. Used the end third and some scraps of old chenille bedspread. Turned out pretty nice...and it was a reasonablly priced gift.

My sister has used old hankies, doilies, lace etc. in collage frames along with other family heirloom items ... eyeglasses, gloves, letters, printed items, etc. The finished frames are real treasures and a nice way to preserve family items that until then were just stuffed in a drawer or box ... and in many homes would eventually end up in the garbage!

I don't have old laces and such but I love to hunt at Goodwill for pieces I can use mostly in wallhangings. Here's one where I used a corner on a needlecase. I tack it down by hand in little places by just bringing the needle up from the bottom and crossing over and down again. I really like the results and love to add beads and sometimes little buttons.

those are very pretty. all we need is a little imagination,makes a lot of pretty things. joyce j

I have used all white fancy embroidered hankies to make pretty breezy curtains for my kitchen windows.

I love old linens and lace items. I look for them in particular when antiquing with a friend. I use those in good shape through out my home. Others I incorporate into quilts, crafts or clothing. My children are not interested in them either so would like to find a place to donate my special pieces to.

I have seen old embroderied tablecloths used for the focus center of quilts.

I use embroidered pillowcases to make dresses for dolls....

There is a book called Wholecloth Linen Quilts. Saw one of the quilts at the Road to California. It was beautiful!! You might want to find the book and look thru it online. Sorry, can't remember the name of the lady who did the book, but she also was on The Quilt Show, showing her technique

I am using old linens and lace on grandaughters Christmas Stockings. My grandmother never threw anything away. I have many wooden spools with lace - some simple and some chrocheted and some tatted rolled around them. I use them where they won't be damaged by daily use; but still useful and appreciated.

I have many family antique linens, from table linens, to hankies, to dresser scarves, to bed linen, to gorgeous laces, and an old large lace table cloth.

I've used monogrammed and cutwork napkins as valances on windows, others things at the top of closet doors, for pillow covers, draped over the railings of my tester bed, as a drape on the wall at the head of my bed, folded to hang over an open armoire door for display, lining the mantle over the fireplace, and small cocktail napkins turned on point over the edge of the shelves in my glass door secretary. Shabby chic and romantic look magazines are favorite inspirations.

Jan in VA

Have a look at Cindy Needham's site. She does wonderful things with old linens.

http://www.cindyneedham.com/

i take them to family reuion to put in silent auction to rise money for next years reuion they always sell

I have some vintage linens. Some I purchased at thrift stores and yard sales. I have some of the embroidered pillow cases my mom did. (My mom can't embroider any more.) If I can get them before one my sisters throws them away. (She threw away a box of old flour sacks.) I plan on using them for crazy quilts.

Cindy Needham has written a wonderful book "Wholecloth Linen Quilts"
I was very excited to find it as I to have a box of old family linens.
Waiting for my quilting skills to get better before trying.

I have her book - it is wonderful. I have appliqued some of my Mom's old embroidered handkerchiefs onto appropriate color/design cotton background, sandwiched, and then hand quilted a complementary (to the embroidery) pattern on this small wall-hanging. Used pieces of wide old lace (cotton) for the quilt sleeve. Also was gifted with some vintage hand embroidered dresser scarves and such and did the same thing with them. My next project with these vintage linens will be sandwiching some vintage pillow cases, quilting them, and using as wall-hangings. My Mom's old handkerchiefs - now wall hangings - will be gifted to my daughter and grand-daughters. Fun way to re-cycle old linens into something new and practice your quilting too. I also like the idea of incorporating the individual pieces into a larger wall hanging or a throw or bedsize quilt. What a great way to preserve someone else's needlework and combine their talents and pleasures with your own - and create possible heirlooms. Some vintage handkerchiefs might be appropriate for turning into a quilted cover for a Bride's Bible or top for the pillow carried by the ring bearer. Depending on what type of vintage linen they are, they could be re-used in a handbag, tote, skirt, jacket etc. Have fun!

Yes, I was going to recommend Cindy Needham. She teaches all over. She often teaches at the Road to Calif. quilt show and will be teaching at Asilomar Empty Spools Seminar in 2013. She teaches freemotion quilting and how to quilt on old linens. I am going to take her class next year. I can hardly wait.

I took her class a few years ago. She is great.

Funny you should ask... I'm almost finished making a "church ladies" apron from one of Mom's vintage tablecloths. I'll post a pic when I finish.

My DM and DMIL left me a nice collection of vintage linens & doilies. The everyday tablecloths make good bread basket liners too. Quilter7x post a super easy tute that I've used over and over. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...er-t84437.html

I have also incorporated some of the finer embroidered linens in pillowcases, pillow shams and neck roll pillows for my guest room. Like Dianemarie said "I use them where they won't be damaged by daily use; but still useful and appreciated". Don't get me wrong - I don't cut all of them up - just the ones that aren't useable.

I used a bunch of the fancy doilies at my niece's shower. Each long table had a large vase of flowers in the center with rows of pretty teacup & saucers on cute little doilies to both ends. The teacups held mints, mixed nuts or a single floating carnation. My niece asked if she could keep one of the doilies since they were her Grandma's so I let her pick some out. I love keeping them in the family.

I'm inspired by some great ideas here.

I love vintage tablecloths, particularly Florida-themed ones. In my opinion, these were meant to be used, and I can't see them if they're hidden in a closet, so use them I do, every day. But (and it's a big but), I keep a piece of clear plastic on top to protect them. I can see and enjoy them without worrying about ruining them. Plastic can be purchased in different thicknesses on a large roll at JoAnn's.

A few years ago I was at Goodwill looking for fabric . I saw what I thought was a large silk piece . By golly thats just what it was. A silk sheet with lace . I grabbed that thing with the gusto of a hound dog and lo and behold it was only $3.00 . YIPPIE. But I still can't bring myself to cut it. hehehe

Now I know what to do with all of my hankies. So pretty and I love this.

I have seen some beautiful vest make out of old linens and I have a lot so hope to make one "one of these days"

I use them in vests and purses.

I have several that are cotton that I have picked up at estate sells, I though maybe make a whole cloth quilt with them...

that is delightful! love your style. website w more?

I incorporated some very old pieces into my wedding gown, my daughter did the same with hers and on Baptismal dresses and suits too. Pieces of embroidery cut from torn tablecloths become accents on pillows etc. Just too pretty to keep stored away.

Before I married my second husband my sisters went together and bought me a handmade antique lace table cloth, which I love. The included card read: We figured your husband, by marrying you, is getting something old and used. We wanted to keep it fair. Love, your sisters. I about fell over laughing.

One of my friends from quilt guild uses vintage linens to make jackets for herself. They are ADORABLE!!! She sometimes adds a few extra embellishments like lace, etc.

Awe, those are so pretty!