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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I use my mother's linen tablecloths as backs for my table runners or special wall hangings. No one wants to use them anymore, so this way I'm preserving them in a way. They hold up nicely and I haven't had any problem washing the runners.

I don't have any old stuff, period. However, I love linen and have recently finished a quilt top and back using lots of it. Linen is very durable, so I actually think it should hold up very well in quilts. I love the texture and used it along with quilting cotton in piecing. I've never done any whole cloth projects, as I'm just not ready for any project that actually features the quilting part.

My sister-in-law had pillows made from her mom's linen tablecloths and gifted them to her brother and sister. A wonderful remembrance of their mom and does not require machine washing

Keep those ideas coming. Excellent suggestions so far and I really appreciate all the input here!

They may not have done a lot of entertaining, but you really had to be prepared at all times. In the day, paper was not acceptable. LOL!

I have two enormous damask ones I inherited and often think about using them for backs, it is such beautiful. But I can't justify the cost of longarm quilting (can't hand quilt anymore) unless I use two tops per quilt, double sided in other words.

OMG Woody, watched the slide show & those quilts are totally Awesome!! Anything you can repurpose,reuse in any way works for me and if there's a will there's a way!

My Mom came from Sweden and always had a Swedish tablecloth on the table. Each one is beautiful, depicting people dancing in their native costumes. Some day I will make a quilt out of them, it's just not time yet.

Thank you for this discussion. Maybe this will be my "push".

I have a bag full of linen napkins. My sister loves linen table runners and center cloths for her table. She changes out often. She dresses her house like a million bucks and everything is pre-owned. She works at Goodwill and dresses the different department. All the dining room tables are dressed with the artificial flower arrangements and baskets. One woman stopped in and bought a bedroom set and dining set and with all the trimmings. She was helping her recently divorced son set up housekeeping. That day the woman spent $1000.00. One of the pieces was an armoire. She often asks my sister for help in pre-owned decorating. Working at Goodwill is a dirty job but she loves it.

Thank you for this link. I had the privilege of meeting Cindy when she spoke at our guild meeting a few years ago. She is excellent and a wonderful encouragement to those without a longarm.

What a great thread! I too have tablecloths and linen napkins from my mom and they all sit in the linen closet. All neatly pressed... not much use there. Love the ideas that are being posted. Keep them coming!

If possible, depending on design , I would make place mats and or table runners . I would not use it for quilts , but to each it's own . I would also make little garment bags, makeup bags, purses, etc.

I have seen some of the printed tablecloths cut up and used as blocks in a quilt top. They were combined with like colors and were very pretty.

What a beautiful print that is! Love those golden apples and branches. I appreciate your comment about your mother helping you cook when you wear it, too.

I have been using old linnen tablecloths as draperies, shower curtains and coated a cutwork bridge cloth with clear contact paper for a shower window curtain. Hated to store them and hate to wash and iron them. Took some old lace ones and added them to dress up Tshirts and blouses. Doiles (sp) are easier to use in quilts, shirts and other things.
Sheila