linen tablecloths
 

I come from a generation that used linen tablecloths. No more! So there they are in a drawer but what to do with them? Have any of you used those as whole cloth quilts? Some are quite pretty designs.

I'm watching this thread because I cannot believe the number of linen tablecloths that I have accumulated!! I can't remember my folks doing that much entertaining either.

I don't think that linen is a very good fabric for making quilts from. Sorry.

I have one of Grandma's linen tablecloths, too. I don't plan to use it for a quilt. I remember how hard Gma worked to iron it after it was washed......and I would have to cut around gravy stains. ;-)

I don't know how they would hold up as a quilt, but they would make beautiful "Quilted " table clothes!!

I took a Craftsy class, taught by Cindy Needham, who was an excellaent teacher.
I did a little research and saw that quilting with old linens is her main interest. I saw she even has another Craftsy class about just this thing!
If you go to her website she has a lot of info on quilting with old linens http://www.cindyneedham.com/
I had a short private email conversation with her in which she mentioned that she does not own a longarm, does all her work on her domestic (of course, that was 8-9 months ago, that could have changed)
At the time she had you tube videos too

I have a bunch of embroidered pillowcases from my husband's grandma that I hope to use to make something for our bed

I have a few linen table cloths that it is my intention to have quilted "wholecloth" style. Linen can ravel quite a bit if cutting to make quilt blocks. I figure that done whole cloth style it will be quite elegant.

I hand quilt so was wondering about outlining the design on the table cloth and use it as a wall hanging. I don't think they'd hold up with use as a bed quilt. Gravy stains--applique or just treasure them for what they were?? Thank goodness for the tablecloths that we just toss in the dryer and use again. Our ancestry washed, starched and ironed these pieces and sometimes they still didn't turn out so nicely. Bless our ancestry for all their hard work!

If you have a look here http://www.aqc.com.au/Melbourne/aqc-....NwtaJ7yo.dpbs
for a quilt called "10 Cat Garden", this quilt uses a whole tablecloth. The picture really doesn't do it justice, it was stunning in real life

I inherited quite a few from my mother and MIL. I make aprons from the ones that are stained or can't be saved otherwise. I remember this one on Mom's table...she helps me cook when I'm wearing it. :o)
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