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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Vintage Linens

Vintage linens are so popular today and thier popularity is gaining. Thrift stores, consignment shops, even antique malls are filled with booths dedicated to this genre. Family pieces that were used when I was young....I thought were new.... were cherished hand-made memories from Aunts. I suppose it was the imputus to my own collecting.


This tablerunner is from my M-I-L. It was given to her as a wedding gift...she said it was old then, but not sure how old............................................
I was so excited. It's a turn-of-the century hand-tatted lace runner. Just recently a friend of mine had been given a tatting set with patterns and examples that dates back to then and lo and behold, there was the runner Now we know for sure how old it really is. This teatowel was given to her at the same time.........




This is a bridgetable cloth from the 40's. I love the colors and the French Knots.

This is a dresser scarf my Grandma had begun and one she hadn't gotten too. 

  Someday I'll finish em for her.

Here are some pics of some other linens in my collection some I will keep, but others will become parts of my creations...............................................................................................






I guess it's no surprize that my Brown Gingham Creations have thier origins in vintage linens...............

A placemat combining vintage inspired papers with a medallion I created by using a vintage 1940-50 tablecloth and then hand-embroidered  for embellishment.






                                                      
This hand-embroidered pillow was a 1950-60 dishtowel
 I hand-embroidered this 1968 pillowcase
 The Southern Belle is from the 1930's and she was a teatowel



This canvas tote sports a band created from a 1940's tablecloth









This autumnal tablerunner was a 1960's dishtowel.









and, this Angelic Light is a trip thru time. A 1960's spun plastic doll lamp has been reworked. A 1950's hankie that I hand-embroidered is added as a skirt. A 1940's hand-crocheted doily creates her apron, decolatage at the bodice, and accent the parasol. Her wings were vintage lace trim.





Rework-----Repurpose----Recreate
I love taking love worn textiles and making them new again.

Don't forget to visit my Saturday friends over at Southern Lady Vintage for Saturday Vintage Love. They are showing off thier vintage linens too! I'm on my over there now. We can go thru here
And, Monday I'm joining Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Moday. Let's go over there too and see some pretty vintage inspired tranformations

14 comments:

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Melody! Yay! I was so glad that you were able to join in. Even if you are out and about and can't link in on Saturday I just want you to know that I leave that linky tool up for many days, so join in as long as it is open! I sure do miss you when you aren't around, so I was thrilled to see you post your lovely collection. I love it that you have some items from your MIL in your collection. Makes them all the more special in my opinion anyways. Love everything that you upcycled! What a talent you have!! Thanks again for joining in and sharing!

georgiamarbles said...

awesome linens!!!

ennadoolf said...

Love all these ~ especially that little dutch one! :) That's the dutch girl in me!
Anne, of VintageAndSuch on etsy

Antiques Galore Gal said...

Wow! What an impressive collection!

Vintage Tinsel said...

The hand tatted lace is a treasure!

BailiwickStudio said...

It's so special to have these linens handed down to you! They're beautiful. ::Jill

Cinderella Moments said...

I love the part where you say you'll finish it for your grandmother. That is the sweetest thing ever!

hugs,
Caroline

Jane said...

I really enjoyed seeing all of your vintage linens. That tatted piece your MIL gave you was beautiful and how wonderful it was that you could put a date with it.
Love how you have repurposed some of the vintage linens. It's great to see them get new life.
Jane

Atticmag said...

I like them both ways! So clever. You know, I tend to be a purist about vintage linens but you persuaded me that sometimes they are better repurposed. Thanks for stopping by. Jane F.

ThreeOldKeys said...

Such a collection ... and I'm sure there are many more that you have tucked away.

Thanks for sharing ... you are so creative.

Anonymous said...

I love linens, but don't have a collection like yours. All your linens are so pretty and unique. Thanks for showing them to us.

Donna said...

I love your vintage linens! I've got a bunch too. I really like how you made them into the pillows:)

Katy said...

Love your gorgeous vintage linens!!

Karen said...

Such pretty things in your collection. Reminds me of my youth ;) You've inspired me! Its the time of year to pull out all the pretty linens from my Mom's treasures and put them out for the Holidays.