As long as I’ve been hunting for antiques, I have been drawn to textiles. I love linen napkins and tea towels, quilts and spreads, grain sacks and pillow cases. I think they’re pretty, practical (for the most part) and can really make a space. Here are some of my recent acquisitions, favorites and some tips…
Last week I found this pair of red work pillow cases. I had some feather inserts that were the perfect size for them, so I washed and pressed them and put them on the pillows. This pair is off to Lucketts to (hopefully) find a new home next week….although they look pretty stinking good on my guest room bed. Hmmm…
I also found this embroidered tea towel. I’m going to make pillow case out of it and haven’t decided if it will stay at my house or not.
This antique, feather-filled ticking pillow was a surprise yard sale find this morning. At only $1.00, it was way too good to pass up.
My collection of napkins, bread basket liners, table cloths and tea towels is embarrassing. I used to buy them at every yard sale and thrift store I went to. I have finally paired down my collection, so it’s only moderately humiliating.
…and anyone who’s read my blog for a while knows my love for grain sacks. I’m often asked for my “source” and unfortunately, I don’t have any secret grain sack distributor, but I’ve purchased some through connections in Europe, local antique shops and off Etsy. Just look around, talk to other dealers and be patient.
When looking for antique textiles, these are some things to keep in mind…
Is it washable? First and foremost, I want to be able to throw it in my washing machine and get it clean. A lot of antique linens can be really stinky or dirty or stained or stiff or yellowed or just yucky, so I don’t buy them if the fabric is not one that will hold up in the wash.
Do you hate ironing? If you and your iron are not “besties” or not on speaking terms or you chucked it out the window and force your husband to buy all wrinkle-free shirts and pants, don’t get into vintage textiles…well, or be prepared to pay a dry cleaner. Linen napkins have to be pressed and usually starched to look sharp. This is a time-consuming, mind-numbing chore, especially when you buy a “dry goods box lot” at an auction or “rescue linens from a relative’s attic” and have to wash and iron every single napkin and doily. If this makes you cringe, just buy wrinkle-free cotton napkins and save yourself the frustration.
Are you OK with imperfections? I’m cool with them. I am utterly imperfect right to the core and do not need to surround myself with perfect things. Most antique textiles have age spots, holes, mending and stains. You can find ones in excellent condition, but you’re going to pay for it. I love when old linens have been stitched and mended. It means they were loved. Someone loved it enough to fix it. I would never imagine mending one of my dish towels, so I consider repairs to be a sign that it was of value to someone.
Will you use them? Antique linens that are stuffed in a buffet or folded in a closet are pretty pointless. Are you OK with throwing that depression era quilt over the back of your sofa or bringing out the freshly pressed monogrammed place mats for a spaghetti dinner? It’s my opinion that antique textiles should be used and don’t need to be treated like they are in a museum. Well, there are exceptions, certainly, but even a delicate christening gown can be displayed behind glass and used as art. Please don’t box them up and put them in an attic where they will become a snack for silverfish. If you’re not going to use them, let someone else enjoy them.
Any other advice from textile lovers out there?
Does anyone else share my linen love?
One last thing… Thanks so much to all of my followers, subscribers, readers and friends for making my blog what it is today. I just passed 7,000 Google Friends, 15,500 Feedburner subscribers and 4,000,000 hits (although my mom may be about a million of those…) All of those numbers are a huge compliment and I am really thankful.
54 Responses
Fan of textiles? Yes! Fan of ironing? No. Such a conundrum!
Congrats on the blog milestones! You've earned every one of them with your style, grace, and talent. I admire you and all you do! 🙂
Amy
My heart and eyes are always drawn to the textiles. I do try to use them, in fact we used several old tablecloths at my daughters wedding reception this May. I had scored a whole boxful at an auction last summer. This week I found some hand appliqued and embroidered quilt blocks at an estate sale. I also don't mind the character marks…it does show the love.
Blessings on your business and ministry.
I use all of my linens and things I have purchased. I love wondering about the story behind each item, usually someone put in a lot of time tatting, crocheting, or embroidering each piece. One trick for removing many of the stains is a good soak in a bath of borax and cold water. Soaked overnight or even a few days I have managed to get out almost all of the stains in my pieces, even rust spots. It's well worth the time to do a soak first.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE textiles and have been collecting for years – and just can't stop! I agree with you that they need to be used to really be appreciated. I have purchased linen and damask napkins (always white) for pennies and have enjoyed using them at all our meals. Call me crazy but I like to wash and iron them too. It brings them to life. I recently found that using lemon juice and kosher salt works to get rid of stains and yellowing. Thanks for the post. It's nice to know there's more textileaholics out there! Maureen in NJ
I know this is a bit sick, but I love to iron. I love to see the fabric look all crisp and I love the smell. I also have a large pile of vintage linens and yes we use them almost daily. Love them and since I do I was the lucky girl who got all my aunts linens since no one else wanted them. Hooray for me.
Congratulations on such great blog stats! You definitely deserve it and I'll admit, I've given you quite a few of those numbers. When I first found your blog I couldn't stop clicking on more posts. Thank you for your constant, gracious, inspiration.
Congrats on your numbers! Yes, I have a passion for vintage textiles. I have multiple containers full of them. I love the character they bring. I use them for their original purpose, but I love to use them in other ways as well. Upholstery material, curtains, runners, pillows, shoulder bags, you name it.
I love your blog and your finds are astounding..I do have a passion for textiles also..I have bought the stinky stainey ones..I soak them in oxy clean over night and then wash them..Never throw in the dryer..They may need another soaking but have been very lucky with the stains ans smell coming out..Happy hunting for those treasures..
Janet
I love vintage linens too and try to use the ones that I have, although I have some that I am saving until I find just the right use. =) I especially love embroidered linens and crocheted pieces.
Congratulations on your blogging milestone! I am a huge fan of actually using everything I have. I eat from my wedding china every day (even if I'm sitting on the soda in front if the TV) and I have a lovely vintage quilt thrown over the back of the sofa with rips and tears and stains and it's that much better because any further damage just adds character. I just love your livable style, Marian.
Yahoo! Proud of you. MMS's Mom
I love linen.I even like to iron.I have some wonderful pieces of tatting that my Grandfather had made when he was a young boy stricken with polio. They hold a special place in my heart.
Congratulations on your great blog stats. Your blog is such a source of inspiration.
Blessings~ Dawn
The reason you are so popular is that you share about wonderful things and we all applaud your excellent taste. I too am a sucker for a bunch of linens. I wash mine in 20 mule team borax and it really brightens them up. I make my own spray starch and just put on my ipod…iron and sing, I am such an ironing nerd!
LOVE!!!
Linens call my name! I can't resist them…even dirty ones. I love to wash them and I love to iron them. I use them everyday! My daughter used my vintage tablecloths at her wedding this April and everyone loved the look.
Thanks for all your inspiration!
I love old linens and have a pile of amazing ones that were passed down to me from an aunt. I use them all the time. Some were storebought but many were handmade or monogrammed by long-ago family members.
You inspired me … I have a redwork tea towel and I love the idea of making a pillowcase out of it … thanks!
First, congrats on your stats! You rock 🙂
I have to say, I love vintage linens but have always been leery of buying them. Not sure why…not confident I could clean them properly or something. This has inspired me! Would love to hear more about everyone's favorite ways to clean these special linens.
Stephanie
http://junkernewbie.blogspot.com/
Love this post! And imperfections? They're a bonus!
A great soak I have had much success with is as follows:
Fill your top load washer with hot water.
Add 1cup Cascade dishwasher powder.
Add a capful of Tide with bleach alternative.
Add 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide.
Soak overnight. Finish wash cycle. Wash/rinse a second time if desired.
I have never lost color and it is an effective stain and smell remover.
Hope you have success,
Sarah
I probably have you beat in the "vintage textile embarassement" department.
I hate to say it but a last year when we were taking everything out of storage to move into our home I was washing linens to put away and I counted 92 napkins and 24 table cloths!! (And that doesn't include the vintage sheets I have stored that double as table cloths when needed). I told my husband "Well at least I haven't paid more than a dollar for any one of them and most were a dime or a quarter" but still….92? LOL
I said in one of my post on my blog that my daughter said I belonged on TLC's Horders only they would have to call it "Horders…..The Elegant Series" LOL!!!
So enjoy your linens. Elegant Horders Unite!!!
I love linens too, and I'm making careful note of all the stain removal tips here! I seldom iron my linen napkins, I love the way the light gets lost in the wrinkles with linen in a way it never does with other fibres.
I have been known to iron my linen pillowslips though, it makes me feel so cared-for when I go to bed, like sleeping at my grandmother's. I iron my husband's linen shirts too, that makes HIM feel cared-for!
"I am utterly imperfect" :)!
I've just developed a love for old textiles lately…your fault, I'm sure. 🙂 But I tend to love the fun colorful tablecloths and dishcloths, I guess from the 40's and 50's? I bought a bunch of fun dish towels at an antique store and find they are more durable and hold up better than store-bought ones…and they didn't cost much more! I love the fun look they give my kitchen! 🙂 Congrats on your great blog stats!!! That's fantastic!!!
I have a weekness for vintage textiles. I love using my vintage tablecloths. they look so pretty all pressed up and on the table. I found the perfect thing for washing old vintage cloths is a detergent called Biz. It's tuff but gentle. You can soak them in the Biz and it really helps to get out some of the stains.
I just found your blog and I love it! I also love vintage linens – so much that I am just starting up an online shop called Linen Haus since I am currently living in Europe and have access to the flea markets. Please stop by and take a peek at my blog and the shop if you're interested. I love your blog so I will be back! 🙂
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/
I'm right there with ya girlfriend! I love linens! Vintage tablecloths,napkins,tea towels all textiles !The call my name at every estate/yard sale and I love to iron them all. I even iron my pillow cases on my bed. Call me crazy. I use Biz which is fabulous for cleaning all my vintage linens. Thank you for sharing YOU with all of us and congrats on your following. 🙂
I love them, to look at, not so sure if I want to "deal" with their needs, lol. Perhaps I could start a new acceptance of their wrinkled, ala natural state?
Oh, and I do agree with you about items showing a bit of wear and love, it's just like old furniture! Add character to the item!
Oh, I definitely have your love of vintage textiles. The closet in my office is FULL of them! I used to collect them (and vintage architectural pieces) to dress dolls that I make. I no longer make the dolls, but still have the love of textiles. I've recently seen some awesome vintage dresses in museums here that would make your head spin! The attention to detail is stunning and unfortunately, quite the lost art. I have a collection of batiste baby dresses that I have on hangers, hanging over the window in my laundry room as a form of curtain. I can also provide a source for Europena grain sacks! These guys were at the Farm Chicks show in Spokane this summer. They travel to several European countries all year long and return with these amazing grain sacks. uberchichome.com, uberchichome@gmail.com Dustin is one of the guy's names and they live in Salt Lake City, UT. Love your blog!
I am a new reader to your blog…love it! I love linens, too, and I use them. Years ago I watched a woman buy linens and they were put in a closet for that "special day". Hey, every day is special to me so I am not afraid to wash'em and use'em!
I feel the same way about appreciating the fact that someone took the time to embroider, sew, repair, etc. I have several pieces from my grandmother.
Congrats on the numbers Marian, you have a wonderful blog!
I love vintage linens as well. If I find something with hand embroidery on it, I'm really a goner and *must* have it.
Another tip I haven't seen anyone post besides soaking in oxyclean or borax is to hang the linens on your clothes line. Many stains that didn't come out in the wash fade right away after a day of sunshine.
I love linens!!! I'm sure many of you can relate to my horror when I found out my husband had thrown away a garbage bag full of linens (alot of them child hankies, I love the graphics) When we moved. Tip never pack them in a black bag!!ugh
Congratulations on your milestone! You are loved by each "follower" because you are so real and so amazingly helpful! Everyone's "bestie." LOL
I also have a thing for linens. I am a vintage tablecloth kind of girl! They suck me in everytime. I have found a wonderful Booth close to my home with MANY vintage linens. I try to make infrequent visits. If you need any please let me know and I can ship them out to you!
Wonderful accomplishments…very well deserved!
As for your linens…Couldn't agree more! I too love antique linens and it is so great to hear about others using them…Thanks for sharing and teaching!
I love old linens too…and have a small collection of them. Some were my grandmother's.
Congrats on the blog milestones!!
I'm with you here…I use my linens everyday! I only use cloth napkins and they are white. I buy linen or cotton and I'm not afraid to wash them. I don't iron them, I love the wrinkled look. Great advise as usual!!!
Oh, yes, PLEASE let the old textiles stay in circulation and be enjoyed! It's so sad so see beauties saved for a "someday" that never comes… I've collected vintage linens for years and use Restoration Linen Cleaner to easily get out the old stains. However, I NEVER recommend dry cleaning. As for ironing, I have a fabulous 1940s Ironrite Ironer that makes ironing sooo much easier and faster.
Congratulations on your blogging milestones. Very impressive! Stop by if you get a chance. I'm celebrating my first year of blogging with a Vintage Linen & Dish Action … going on now — 'til 9PM eastern Monday.
aw I love supportive moms 🙂
I, too, have a love for vintage and antique linens. If in perfect shape I use them in my home decor, if not, I repurpose them either for my own use or to sell in my online (and soon to be Brick and Mortar) shops. I recently happened onto a bunch of crocheted and tatted doilies for a cool $1 a piece, These will become a quilt in the very near future 🙂
I love hemstitched linens…that's usually what I look for. Actually, my favorites are the lavender ones I purchased from you. I don't bother with pressing them though. I just wash, dry, and remove them a.s.a.p. so they aren't wrinkled. I lay them flat in a pile (versus folded into quarters). I prefer the slightly casual, unpressed look though, unless I'm setting the table for Christmas or Thanksgiving. On those occasions, I press them. Love the pillows you purchased.
Oh, and a good 2 hours soak in Oxiclean will do those stained and yellowed linens some good…most of the time.
Congratulations on your blog milestones! I love your blog, such a great combination of eye candy and practical information. There's a reason for the millions of hits (:>)
Love Vintage Linens & Textiles? Oh Heavens yes! I have 4 Baskets currently waiting for the Ironing Board. I too sell them in my stores, use them and craft with them. I'd like to put in my order now for ones like you have in the Wooden Bowl Picture. I have never been able to find any at a reasonable price. I tried Etsy once, but the seller decided she wanted to keep them. So that turned me off from finding them on etsy.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfOGSIHx9go
Ironing can be relaxing.
My great-grandmother from Lithuania was a crochet machine. I have a mega-boat-ton of her linens. They are well-used and they still hold up. If something does indeed get ruined, I like to thing she would prefer that over the piece not being used at all.
My mother passed her love for linens to me. For many years the two of us collected them at flea markets, yard sales, and estate sales. Sadly, about seven years ago, my parents home burned to the ground, and all of her treasured linens were lost in the fire. My mother is such an inspiration. She did not let the loss of all of her treasured possessions get her down. (She just turned 80 yesterday!) I also downsized my collection a few years ago when my husband retired, and we moved to a small cottage in western south dakota. It was so fun giving away my linens to friends I knew would love them as much as I did. It's funny though, these days, when Mother and I get together and hit an antique shop or two, we still seem to gravitate toward the linens. Thanks for your inspiration and love of linens, too!
I find textiles are the cheapest way to change the feel of a room. I still love to starch and iron on a Sunday night to prepare for a new week. No matter if it is antique or just a new linen I love to think of the dinners and good times my family has had using them. And I love to reuse any stained items and turn them into aprons or napkins.
Hi,
I LOVE textiles! I love soaking, washing and ironing them. It really makes me happy! What do the red work pillows say?
If you are thinking about selling the red work pillow cases, how much do you think you might sell them for and would you possibly consider shipping them? Thanks!
I am headed to Paris for 12 days on Sunday. I am hoping to bring back some neat vintage linens. Fingers crossed.
I don't worry about ironing the linen things as "status wrinkles" just add a bit of soft texture. But cotton does look nice with a good pressing. Could anything be more appealing than freshly ironed white cotton pillow cases? Laying your head down on that is pure delight.
I recently made a sweet pillow cover from a vintage pillow case. It had some yellowing but bleached right out and turned out so sweet!
http://willworkfordecor.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-peasy-vintage-pillow-cover.html
The timing of this post is interesting because I was thinking today about collections and how they should be used instead of just stored or hoarded. I have some vintage linens from family members that I would love to re-purpose; I think that the days of doilies and embroidered arm covers are probably over! I can't sew, though, so I am going to find a seamstress to make some of my dreams a reality.
I love that you use your vintage linens! That's my plan for the ones I've started finding too. I already use the vintage glassware that I'm finding too… I figure, why not use it if you love it?!
Thanks for all you share here at your spot on the web…