9/15/14

The Blues of Vintage Linen Collecting

As a collector of vintage linens, I have the greatest appreciation for the time, effort and work that went into the making of dresser scarves, hankies, pillow cases, crocheted lace and edgings and so on.   I don't even mind a few holes, loose strings, and worn edges.  Those are signs of  being used and being enjoyed by the maker or someone who received the piece as a gift.

I have found over the years, that there are other collectors and folks who feel the same as me.  Some collect them for nostalgic and sentimental reasons.  Some use them as they were intended as dresser scarves and pillow cases even if just for display.  Then others save them for craft projects and re-sale. 
I am a Multi-Re-Purpose Collector!
My collection includes vintage linens and hanky's that were made by my Mother and Grandmothers.  Lovely dresser scarves that have been gifts.  Pieces that I have made and hopefully will be treasured by my descendants.  Then there are those found at Junktique Shops, ones Thrifted and many simply saved from being trashed as having no further use. 
No such thing as having no further use...not for this
Recycler-Repurposer-Renewer-Resaler.
Moving into Phase III of my 4R's Bucket List.
Linking to

19 comments:

  1. Hello darling Sue! I treasure the dresser scarves that my granny and my mother-in-law made. I treasure the hankies, too. I have experienced so many moments of pleasure, ironing them and folding them.

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    1. I agree, PomPom...they are fun to iron...can't believe I said that about ironing, but it is true. I think about my Mom and Grandmother and how they too enjoyed the simple task of caring for hankies and other linens. I wonder if they ever thought about how they would be considered treasures some day by their daughters and granddaughters. I think about that often and I bet you do, too.

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  2. Hi Sue,

    These vintage blue linens are like a memory book--or an album. Thanks for playing today.

    Happy Blue Monday!

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    1. You are so right, Sally...they are filled with memories and restoring and repurposing them is like saving them in an Album to be enjoyed again.

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  3. Those are SO pretty! I'm so glad that things that are enjoyed, repurposed, etc. rather than just being tossed. I've seen too many things simply discarded. :-((

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    1. Thanks, they are too pretty to be tossed or not repurposed. It is fun to work them into something new like the Tote Bags I am currently working on. This 'Blue' one is going to be hard to part with at the next Booth Sale.

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  4. I can appreciate your appreciation for such lovely pieces. It's good you use, re-use, and repurpose to keep history alive

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    1. Very true, Joanne. When I sale one of my Vintage Re-Do's I always tell a little story about it's history. Most people really like knowing.

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  5. I bought a vintage embroidered dresser scarf for one guest bedroom and a bunch of pink doilies for the other. I inherited a linen dresser scarf with some gorgeous crochet ends. That one had been tucked away a long time because I thought it was dirty and beyond hope, but I got it out and cleaned it up with that handy dandy Fels Naptha. We used it on a small sideboard at my daughter's wedding last year. Vintage linens make everything better!

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    1. It is amazing what some special suds will do for those old yellowed and spotted linens. I've saved many of them with a good soaking. How neat that an inherited piece was used at your daughters wedding...it is now a family heirloom and has it's own story to tell. Don't forget to tell your part of the story and keep it with the piece. I know you need another family history story to tell.

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  6. Wow, WONDERFULL WORKHAND.
    Greeting from Belgium "with a diner in Blue Sky Mons"
    with "Monday Blue", "Skywatch Friday "
    http://louisette.eklablog.com/diner-in-the-sky-a-mons-au-pass-a112493870

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  7. Such pretty vintage linens! Happy Blue Monday!

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    1. I was surprised to have this piece with so much blue. Worked out well for Blue Monday and the fabrics I had on hand.

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    1. Yes, they did. They have faded some from use, but are in good shape. Aged for sure as they are propably from the 1930's.

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  9. I have many of these treasures! I love them. I am sad sometime when I find a lovely needlepoint piece and see all that hard work and someone probably passed away and their so called loved ones dump the stuff in the thrift stores. I love each one I have found and those made my the tender loving hands of my own grandmother Mary Kocman and my aunties. Sweetness! Good to see you here. Hugs and Love from Colorado to Texas!

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    1. I can not pass by these linens and for sure not needlepoint in a thrift store or antique shop. It is hard to believe they end up there and not treasured by family members. So sweet that you have pieces from your family members. They are treasures.

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  10. Good morning Sue, I am trying to catch up with my special blogging friends after being in FL for 9 days. We attended two Gator games and visited one of our daughters for the week, The Gators won both games. Nice. Two of our grands are students at UF in their sophomore year. Fun times when we get to see them at the games.

    I too love the beautiful needle work of long ago. All kinds. I'm afraid it is almost a lost art. Like so many things these days. Your post is lovely and your 4 R's make me smile. I also checked out your previous post and can identify with your love of old lace. I still have my prom dress that was row upon row of Chantilly lace. It is still perfect and still beautiful. I suppose I should sell it to a collector. Sigh.

    Have a wonderful week my dear blogging friend.
    xo, Jeanne

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    1. It is so special that you get to go to the games and see your kids. I bet it makes them happy, too. I love it that you have your Prom Dress. I would keep it forever, too. I've looked for my 'Red Net Prom Dress' everywhere with no luck. I'll have to settle for the pictures I have for those good time memories....sigh.

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