As I sat looking through my stash of vintage linens, I began piling them up on the bed and realized how beautiful they all were, lying next to one another. Who knows how old each piece is, some are tattered and some are stained. Some were purchased just for the stitchery. But what remains beautiful to me is the handiwork that some sweet soul sat and created, stitch by stitch, thread by thread.
I truly feel honored to own pieces such as these. They're not pristine and that's fine. What really matters is that they are here with me, and that they are loved and appreciated. I'd like to think that that the artist, mother, grandmother or sister that created these stitcheries, linens and lace is happy that they've found a home.
One more little goodie to throw in the giveaway pile!!!
Wishing you a very happy Friday!
xxoo, Dawn
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25 comments:
isn't it amazing that the ladies found time to embroider with all the work that their days consisted of? These are some really nice examples too. My fav is the one with the pink birds...so cute. TFS
Dawn, I know just what you mean. When I see beautiful textile creations made by hand by women of another age and time, no longer here, but having left a legacy from their hands....I always hope they're looking down from heaven and smiling because someone values their artistry.
Diane
I love your collection, and Sherri's comment really makes you wonder if all of today's wonderful new distractions are worth the arts that have been lost.
What a beautiful collection! My favorite is the pink (or is it peach) flowers. I think it is sad to have lost this talent to modern ways. Thanks for sharing.
Alissa
Dawn, your collection is beautiful! I to love vintage linens and can't believe how cheap some of them are at flea markets garage sales I guess if your not a crafter of some sort you don't appreciate all the work that went into some of these. Vicki Page
Isn't it amazing when you think about all the time and love that went into making this "fancy work"? That was my Grandma's generic term for anything that was handmade.
Dawn, you have a lovely assortment of linens...some of the work on the older hand made linens and laces are so detailed and intricate, they are truly works of art made with love...i actually prefer the ones that are a bit tattered, they look more loved to me somehow...
Beautful linens. I'm inspired to start to embroidering again soon. I even bought some Aunt Martha's transfers the other day to put on pillowcases for my grandchildren.
Thanks for sharing.
Georganna
Hi Dawn, thank you for sharing your collection. I agree about the time that women used to put into making such lovely things. I'm also in awe of the fact that they wanted beauty attached to common things--like pillowcases. My heart was touched recently when my elderly aunt stitched a pair for my daughter as a wedding gift. In her day, Aunt Betty would have had a "hope chest" filled with such treasures! Happy Friday! ~Kathy
Your linens are lovely! I always wonder about the stories each piece could tell, who made them, how they were used, where they lived, etc.
I always snatch up the vintage stitchery pieces at garage, yard and estate sales. Just think of all the time someone spent on making them and someone who recieved, or inherited, these beautiful pieces had absolutely no appreciation for the time, effort and art to talent them. Such a shame. I always buy them and give then a new home too!!
Beautiful linens Dawn! I remember hand embroidered pillow cases that my mother made.
Your linens are beautiful. I have a love for embroidered linens too. I have all of my mom's, grandmother's and great grandmother's. I pull them out every now and then just to admire them.
Thanks for sharing yours!
Alisa
I'll join in with the others to say I love embroidered linens as well. They speak of care taken in the details of life, of the time taken to sit and create beauty.
Yours are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Lorrie
Beautiful!--I never tire of vintage linens!
Blessings to You!
Claudia O.
Your collection is beautiful Dawn!I adore old embroidery and old lace, no matter if tattered and stained, they are treasures because as you said a "sweet soul" put their love and time into making them. Anybody that handmakes anything knows that love and heart are part of the creative process. Just as I can see your heart in all of your creations, the bookmark is beyond sweet!!!
Thanks for sharing ~*~*~*~ Have a beautiful weekend dear!! xo Madai
I love old needlework pieces, no matter how humble! Your collection is just beautiful!
Hi Dawn...I have a very nice collection of handwork...can't resist it and use it mostly in my bathrooms...(the bathrooms are less prim than the rest of the house)...BUT I do use them and don't keep these beautiful pieces of art in a box..I even glue the tattered threads when they come apart to give it alittle more life and hopefully "one more washing on the gentle cycle" !!! XO Judy
I love the embroidered linens...such a shame to have them in a drawer some place...and not enjoyed.
I am happy that there is renewed interest in them.
I have a piece with the same design as the peach one you showed us here...only mine is multicolored. I have it as the center of a Hanky quilt. (I blogged about that quilt a long time ago.)
Have a good weekend!
Very lovely linens! I don't have any and haven't seen any around here. Perhaps someone has already snatched them all up and is loving them. I certainly hope so. Maybe someday I will be blessed and find something like this. Thanks for sharing yours! Your bookmark is lovely!
You have a lovely collection! Vintage linens are so fun to collect. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does that!
know exactly what you mean. I have been adding to my collection of linens every chance I can. it is amazing to see all the different stitches and designs and all the time and love that went into each piece.
I agree with Sher, whenever I see hand-embroidered linens at a yard sale, I have to buy them. I use these linens as dresser scarves and table runners so I can see them and enjoy their intricate beauty. I also wonder about the person who did the piece and the story of where it has been. Right now I have a drawing on my blog that includes a beautiful embroidered dresser scarf from my collection. I even have a little hand towel that my father stitched probably 60 years ago. I guess i should pull some of these pieces out and share them on my blog, too. Always a treat to visit here~
Joyce
I have a vintage linen collection, too. Mine is all white, and I just adore it. I especially love white embroidered pillowcases. They are so soft from all the washings. I love sleeping on them and giving them a second life.
What a lovely giveaway. I would love to win. I'm so happy I found your blog in time.
Big hugs,
Joanne
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