Ideas needed for vintage embroidery
 

Hi everyone. I'm new to the board here, it looks like a great place! I look forward to meeting everyone. I have a collection of embroidered items (tea towels, dresser scarves, pillow cases) that my grandmother made. She passed away a few years ago and I want to make these into a quilt or wall hanging so they can be displayed. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? I've been searching but haven't had much luck. I also have 4 embroidered pot holders that are female faces and need ideas on how to display them. Thanks!!

I've been thinking about stitching embroidered pieces onto either pillows or wallhangings or quilts. I haven't quite figured out how, but I've seen doilies stitched onto pillows that look great.

I will be following this with interest - I have the same sort of collection from my grandmother and I'd like to do something similar! Some of the embroidery is delicate and aging fast and I'm trying to figure out how to preserve it....no idea what to do, though!

Definitely something for display only, not for use. At least for my stuff - I don't think any of it is rugged enough to be turned into a lap or bed quilt. I was thinking small wall hangings; if I can make five of them that'd be enough that I can give one to my sister and to each of my 3 cousins on that side of the family - one for each of her grandkids. :)

Welcome from Arkansas! I have been wanting to try something with my crocheted doilies & they have a lot of ideas on Pinterest! Pillows look to be the easiest place to start. I'll follow this thread to see what others suggest Good luck!

Welcome and YES, go to Pinterest - there are a million ideas there. Just type in "vintage linens" in the search box and start clicking on the pictures.

Welcome to the board! Yep! You picked the right spot!

Arrange small items (such as hot pads, etc.) in shadow boxes with appropriate memorabilia with a tribute to your relative. Just a personal preference, I probably wouldn't take a family linen apart or re purpose it but a non-relatives work w no sentiment would be lovely redone in a quilt, wall hanging or whatever. At any rate, use a pigma pen (permanent) to date, approximately if not certain, your final display. I have a huge supply of quilt literature that DIL who works at L Arts has given me. I have seen a pattern incorporating vintage handkerchiefs in a quilt top. Also, seen embroidery items made into sofa pillow covers.
Another idea is arranging in a crazy patch design utilizing your own skills to make it even more of a family memento, signing with the date and your name in embroidery on a quilt top or wall hanging. They don't have to be large, I made embroidered squares with sashes and borders from block kits that were vertical which could be used on the wall or on a table. History tells us cotton can last in excess of 200 yrs. Kudos to you for keeping textile objects a family treasure.

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That is exactly what I`m working on at the moment....using vintage items to make quilts....I`m on my second top....cutting up the items to make squares and even using the crochet bindings in the quilt....here is a look

Wow thanks for the replies and suggestions. I will do another search on Pinterest. I am leaning toward wall hangings So they can be seen but not subject to use.

Annette - your quilt is gorgeous. There arena couple pieces (the peacock and hoop skirts) that are similar to what my grandmother did.

I will ill be back with some ideas.