I have seen quilt pannels made with crocheted doilies sewn on blocks. I guess you could use pieces of the tablecloths for curtains, table runners etc. Have you tried wshing in Oxiclean solution to remove stains.

I have my Mother's old lace tablecloth which I soaked in Oxyclean. I took a chance and it worked. I love to put a red table cloth underneath for Xmas and use candles/decoration to cover any stains that didn't come out. It looks really pretty and I have my Mother's special tablecloth full of memories to cherish for the holidays. I often thought of taking it or some other old clothes and making pillows out of the good parts. Dawn dish soap is a great idea too. I soak my jewelry in it mixed with water. Good Luck & Happy Holidays.

I've had good luck with a solution of Cascade (powdered original kind) and Dawn dishwashing liquid (original) disolved in hot water and left to soak for several hours or overnight.

My mom always put straight lemon juice on stains on white and then let them lay on the grass in the sun. It seemed to work pretty well.
Also, there is a teacher, Cindy Needham that teaches classes on quilting on old linens, tablecloths, etc. I know she is teaching at Road to California in Jan. in Ontario, CA. She also teaches at Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar this year. I am taking her class there in April. She teaches other places also. I understand she is a great teacher. She has a website and you might put her name in a web search to find out more. She might have ideas for appliqueing something over a stain while quilting.

I have inherited crocheted tablecloths, doilies, and even a bedspread from my mom. She gave me a large round doily which was made out of dark tan (almost brown) thread. I didn't like the color so I soaked it in a strong bleach solution overnight. In the morning I reached in to take it out of the solution and it literally came apart in my hand. Inwas devastated, to say the least, but I learnedly that bleach is not a good friend to cotton crochet thread.

My Mom recently Passed away as much as I would love to have all her things I have no place for it. She has many things labeled with who it was from I will try to do the same for my children but if it ends up in a garage sale it is someone else s treasure. I would soak the tablecloths in oxy clean overnight in the bathtub and gently rinse. try again if all the stains are not removed

Soak them in some Oxy-clean. You'd be surprised what comes out.

Pillow tops are a good use. or cut and use as appliques. if the lace is getting fragile, you can always lay a thin layer of nylon or some see thru fabric over them and do a bit of quilting on them

If the stains are not horrendous--ignore them.
If they're on the table top part, layer a smaller cloth over them.
Use the tablecloth on a little table or stand and gather the sides up with ribbon.
Put a sheer, printed fabric over the lace cloth to disguise the spots.


For those who fear their treasures will be dumped or given to Goodwill, Google "vintage linens" and you will see there are many buyers, sellers, collectors out there. Our county historical society and the one in the Maryland county next to us are proud to display these beautiful needleworks, especially with provenance......find out if there is a group or individual to whom you would like to name in your will. (There are textile museums, too.)

there is a product called RESTORE . check that out.

soak in oxy clean powdered dissolved in warm water. You may have to soak several days. I have had great success removing old coffee and tea stains.