Friday, May 1, 2009

Vintage rescues...

You know how much I *love* vintage linens, don't you!? Today I found some more...gorgeous pieces cast aside and left on the door of the local charity store just waiting for me to uncover them from under piles of polyester frauds. How could I say no?

I rescued 6 of the most beautiful hardanger linen serviettes for just 10 cents each! I could hear their gentle sobs, thinking themselves so worthless...but as I tucked them in my bag I assured them they were priceless to me. A warm feeling came over them and I heard sighs of relief soon after. ;-)



This pretty doily is cream linen, but it has the palest pink applique....

I found this hand-embroidered cotton tablecloth hiding under some gaudy polyester florals which were certainly out of it's league! Another rescue swiftly made.

The shop assistant could tell I was into fostering abandoned linens so she pulled this one out for me...only half-embroidered, its previous owner perhaps weary of all those stitches still to do? Never mind, a sweet project for me to finish over winter. :-)

Another lovely tablecloth given a new home...
...and this exquisitely embroidered doily, a perfect match for two others I have (gifts from my dear friend, Ruth).
I think I should look into starting an unwanted linens shelter.
This is all selfish of course. ;-)

Hugs
Jenny

25 comments:

Vickie said...

absolutely gorgeous finds there Miss jenny well done..of course now I am back at work full time my thrift store days are now limited too Sat mornings..sob..sob...cheers Vickie

Dolores said...

Selfish it may be BUT it makes your heart sing. Enjoy!

el taller de sonia said...

estoy convencida que las que hacemos estas manualidades nacimos en epoca equivocada, y por eso nos gusta tanto lo antiguo, divinos tus tesoros un beso

Paula, the quilter said...

Such lovely treasures! You need to check out Cindy Needham (the link goes to her blog) and see what she does with vintage textiles. She has won awards with her items and has been featured on an episode of The Quilt Show which is an online quilting program and show that features international quilting teachers and instructors.

Rebecca Halley said...

I rescue vintage linens too! I only wish I had a bigger house so my collection could see light instead of the inside of the huge suitcase they live in :(

Anonymous said...

Such lovely finds, they are really beautiful. I too love "vintage" linens, though sadly these days many I find are stained with tea, But I have used some and cut around the stains. xxx

DIDI said...

I know what you mean cause when I was young I enherited my grandmother's sewing machine and an old trunk full of fabrics embroidered by my grandmother and my aunts. In case of fire you can bet I can move that trunk out of the house in a record time!!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Love your shelter idea. It's amazing the beauties waiting to be discovered and taken home to be loved once again.

Unknown said...

Oh such lovely finds, it amazes me what people give to the thrift store.... but their loss is our gain.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Unwanted linens shelter - to funny!

zigzago said...

Yes, you did find realy nice stuff! Here in Italy where I live, saturday on the local market you can find some of these precious things!

Stina Blomgren said...

Ahhh...these are gorgeous.. what a find!! :o)

Janice said...

What a beautiful find. I'm sure you will give them a lovely new home.

Sarah - Kala said...

Is it selfish of me to encourage this endulgence of yours? I enjoy poppin' 'round here and seeing all these lovely rescues!

barb's creations said...

I too love old linens and have a special chest of drawers devoted solely to them.I love going to op shops and the salvo's huntting for these now endangered species.Keep hunting there are lots more out there.... :) Barb.

Julia said...

Not selfish Jenny..better you find and rescue them, then have them thrown away...
I have three just like the last one you showed..
I have a pair of very old embroidered pillow shams that were my Mum's, I need to freshen them up amd post them..
Julia ♥

Robin in New Jersey said...

Beautiful. What a lovely find. I know you will do them justice!

Jocelyn said...

Oh my what a wonderful find! I will go along with the vintage shelter. So many are cast aside, thinking to be unusable. They certainly need a loving home. Glad that you came to their rescue.

CindyMae said...

What amazing linen's! Every single piece is just gorgeous! What awesome finds!! Love your blog and love your work!

Scottish Nanna said...

Love your linens they are Gorgeous I bet they are happy in your care.it's good the things you find in thrift shops.
Hugs Mary.

Allie said...

Oh goodness, I'm on the rescue team as well. All kinds of vintage treasures come home with me. You found some wonderful things!

Sew Useful Designs said...

All beautiful, Jenny!

They are going to be the happiest linens ever, with such an appreciative mother! If I was a linen - I'd want to be one of yours!

Hugs! Vikki x

ps. my word verification is "propsork" ...what a fantastic word!!! (giggle) Sounds like something a pixie might eat for his tea! he he he

Vicki ♥ said...

Oh Jen you are love them too eh? I have several that I have rescued from certain drowning in the bottom of a box, one of my favourite pasttimes is finding new orphans and giving them a home :) I love the ones you have found and I am sure they will be much loved.

Carrie P. said...

Beautiful linens.

darcey said...

I am sentimental about vintage linens, too. When I got married 26 years ago, my new father in law sent over some boxes of my new husband's things. In one of the boxes was a pillowcase that was embroidered with my husband's name and a little kitty. It was ragged and ripped, but I couldn't part with it, especially because his mother had passed on a few years earlier. I eventually made a pillowcase doll for my husband out of his childhood pillowcase....it's a little treasure.
I'm new to your blog and I'm really enjoying it. I started the roses bom today, too. All the best, Darcey