I remember the first time I browsed through an antique store, I left with two things. One was an aqua mason jar with a zinc lid and the other was a delicate cream child’s bonnet, obviously old and handmade. I was drawn to the yellowed patina on the fabric, the dreams that may have been poured into every stitch and the small piece of history I could now hold in my hand.
I’ve been an antique textile junkie ever since.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a petticoat…
…a tea towel…
…a pillow case…
…a quilt or coverlet…
…a set of napkins…
…a towel for keeping bread warm…
…or a table cloth.
I’m a fan of antique textiles. Are you?
If you are, check out my curated collection HERE.
If not, you can check it out, too, but you may get hooked.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
You can follow all of my eBay collections HERE.
30 Responses
these are all so beautiful I’m on the hunt for some perfect napkins! you just can’t beat vintage textiles!
Do you know anything about the quilt or cover on the bed – crocheted? I have one just like it.
You know I am too! Love old linens and fabrics!
I can’t afford another addiction! You’ve got me obsessed with ironstone!
My first antique textiles came to me when I was about 14. They were given to me by my great-aunt. One is a table cover that was woven by someone in the family and the other is a linen sheet with trousseau embroidery. I have drawers filled with linen napkins and linen table cloths. I am always drawn to the textile selections in antique shops and even in some thrift stores. Living where I do, there are a lot of folks who drop off their grandmother’s and great grandmother’s old linens at the Goodwill or Jubilee. I happily scarf them up!
Oh my goodness… if you ever decide to sell the linen with the “BM” initials, can I be first in line. Those are my crappy (pun intended-haha) initials. Normally I would never want them on anything but that tea towel is to-die for and its red – my favorite color.
So totally in love with linens. When I think of the amount of love and time that women (mostly) put into them it astounds me. I actually loved them so much that I had a neighbor teach me how to sew in the way. I learned French seams, insert lace techniques, etc. I made my first grand child’s Christening Gown, with slip and bonnet and Mothers Handkerchief. It has been used by two of my grandchildren so far. I embroidered their initials and dates of baptism on the gowns side. Love it!
My collection started with when my paternal Grandmother died 30 years ago and I inherited (or claimed) her stash of embroidered linens. I’ve added to it over the years. I have my favorite pieces framed and have used some for pillows. I’ve used the small tea tablecloths, turned on the diagonal as summer window valances. But I still have much more I’d like to display. Maybe I’ll stumble across a dental cabinet like yours one day!
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Mmmmm fabric! I fell in love with fabric in high school in home ec. (Dating myself a bit!) I simply cannot resist yummy fabric, especially vintage fabric. Grain sacks, lace, doilies, all of it!
My first antique purchase was probably a mason/ fruit jar and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. I have close to 100 different kinds. I’m definitely a fruit jar junkie!
I love vintage linens. I was wondering though, when you might curate another collection on Joss & Main. I would love to buy ‘your’ curtains…I missed out the first time around…
Wallah, awesome collection. I loved that table cover and wish could get the same for my table. I am a huge embroidery fan.In my childhood I used to see how my grandmother is doing embroidery work, even when i was in 12th standard i tried to do some embroidery by my own, but later I did not find time for it. Please tell me from where can I buy this kind of beautiful collection.
If those linens could talk the stories they could tell! The hands of love that created them and the heart’s desires for their use are only a few of the things secretly woven into the patina of years gone by. So many people don’t use their vintage linens, but I have heard some good advice over the years….”Use them, and create in them your own memories…added stains an all.”
I am very blessed to have many old linens mostly of my grandmother, mother, and aunt.
They are treasures <3
Possibly a post on care and storage of old linens would be helpful…or maybe there is one in your archives I have missed.
Marian,
I am a linen addict too. The four drawer dresser in the guest room is stuffed.
I love embroidered hankies for the tiny needlework and the small scale art they are. I have several sets of sheet sets, pillow case sets galore and doilies of all shapes and sizes, some done by both grandmas.
I inherited a stash of 50’s gingham embroidered aprons that are just too cute to let go and a thin woven bed cover with pillow cover that had been my Great Grandma’s.
I have a few beautiful crocheted doilies used on the back of a chair and rocker mostly to enjoy seeing them all the time.
A friend’s 90 year old grandmother made the crocheted runners for the coffee table and tv cabinet in the family room. We love them and think of her often..
I have some old 22 x 22 in linen napkins that are used for drying stemware, perfect.
I even have a DMC needlework book printed over 100 years ago with patterns and how to’s.
Many museums have how to care for textile instructions available. Check with your museum or library.
rick
Kindred souls.
35 years ago I bid on and won an antique buffett full of linens at an auction. The addiction began. In the 80’s and 90’s people didn’t seem to be interested in stuff like that. I used to buy ton’s of linens for next to nothing.
From a textile design graduate to an antique textile junkie:
You’ve got some gorgeous pieces, Marian, both in your home and in your online antique textile collection. By the way, all things eyelet and lace are my weakness. Love the petticoat and your pillowcases!
I love the bedscape!
I’m with you! I’m always drawn to those piles of textiles no matter what they are. I love to dig through them – the thrill of finding something amazing and lovely is just awesome!
I have a few old, old quilts. Where do you store them and how do you care for such fragile fabric?
I love many things vintage and textiles are no exception. I have my precious little Christening gown which I love. It is so sweet and so tiny (???), we often forget we came into this world so little. Maybe, this should be your next venture. After paint, your own textile line.
I hope your son is doing well.
Take care
I have lots of hand me down quilts. Love everything you have. I just scored big at Goodwill with 25 cent Meakin and Howard Laughlin saucers and salad plates. Yes!! A good day.
Impressive collection and, yes, I adore textiles. I am coming to the realization I must start letting go of most of my collections; it’s that time of life but it’s hard for me. I enjoy caressing my various collections and wondering at their lives before they came to me.
They are my weakness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a trunk and a closet full of them. I so enjoy enjoyed looking at all of yours! Such beautiful lovelies!
What beautiful images, I love textiles too but little room to store them in my cottage. I have still got a lot of my mothers old textiles packed away in boxes. Your images have made me want to sort through them and find a space in my house instead of the attic.
Lee 🙂
Yes! I admit it, I am one also. The problem is that I don’t know what to do with all of them. Keep posting suggestions. Your style is gorgeous.
I’m an addict too! I love crewel work and crocheted pieces as well! Just something about the colors and textures. Get me every time!
Too late I got hooked, after I reading Angie Chavez’ (Knick of Time) blog, I got hooked. I have found a few items in the neighborhood Thrift Store, and local Traders shop. But it is nice to see I am not the only one. Thanks for sharing.
I just inherited a huge amount of Victorian and Edwardian “white clothes”, as well as bundles of antique ribbons, fabrics, and handmade lace from my mother. She loved to get a crumpled yellowed garment, repair any tears and restore it to snowy white. She learned antique French hand sewing and made countless christening gowns using the laces, and studied old garment to replicate the techniques into “new” pieces. We are still finding and sorting through all the christening gowns, blouses, skirts, petticoats (2 quilted ones), corset covers, split knickers, slips, children’s dress, and wedding trouseaus.
Just last week we found a box with more antique christening gowns and baby clothes when we discovered a box containing a linen table cloth she was making for us for Christmas, embroidered with my initials and exquisite drawn work. She must have made this between her illness, and I only knew of its existence when one of her friend asked if she ever finished “that tablecloth”. My daughters and I will sort through things carefully this summer when they are home for college, then we will have to find a good home for what we can’t keep.
I have a weakness for pillowcases, 30’s and 40’s printed table cloths, none of which Mom cared for, but my oldest daughter is in heaven with all this history. I have certain pieces I am keeping for their beauty, for the pleasure I know the work gave to Mom, and some pieces she made with her talents.