chikaustin

February21st

13 Comments

To cut or not to cut?  How do you decide what to cut and what to keep?  What do you do with vintage linens?  My friends, I’m calling on you for assistance to help me figure out what to do with all of these beautiful linens.  I have several pillowcases and sheet sets.  I’m planning on using three pillowcases and one full sheet for my blanket but what do you do with the rest?  I’m not in a hurry to cut them up, I would just love some ideas to add to my list.

Pillowcases

These are some of the pillowcases I’m considering using for my blanket.  Right now I’m going with the pansies and the blue flowers.  I also picked up some of these vintage embroidered pillowcases at a garage sale last summer for almost nothing.  What do you do with them?  Do you use them?  They are in great condition and hand stitched by a woman who cared enough for her family to add these beautiful details.  I feel like they deserve so much more than sitting on my shelf.  Any ideas?

PillowcasePillowcase

PillowcasePillowcase

13 Comments

  • Comment by miss chris — February 21, 2008 @ 10:23 pm

    I have lots of linens too. Some I use. The girls’ beds are perfect places for them… Others I have earmarked for projects but I can’t bear to cut into them.

    Your pillowcases are lovely. Last summer I made a nightgown for a friend’s daughter out of one. And there is always the pillowcase dress option, with the fancy border on the bottom…. The lady would look nice on a little pillow, too.

    I might just use ‘em though. They’re definitely too pretty to keep on a shelf. Lucky finds! xo

  • Comment by victoria — February 21, 2008 @ 10:46 pm

    jade–it was fun seeing you last night. your fabric choices are always amazing. and the rice pillows are beautiful! and again so happy for makena’s healing.

  • Comment by Ellie — February 22, 2008 @ 3:16 am

    That embroidery is so sweet, what a great find!! I’m never so lucky as to find such lovely things like that.
    I, too, think you should use and enjoy them, rather than letting them sit on your shelf. If they’re no good to use as pillowcases, then possibly you could use the embroidered section on a bag, or a cushion cover with some totally different border fabric. Or miss chris’ idea of a dress sounds lovely – or maybe just a panel on a skirt.
    Enjoy!

  • Comment by Misty — February 22, 2008 @ 4:56 am

    these are SO beautiful. The pillowcases esp. That’s it… I am going to start going through the smelly fabrics at the thrift stores. you’ve inspired me…

  • Comment by beki — February 22, 2008 @ 7:27 am

    Oh my goodness, those pansies are wonderful! I’m not going o be of much help to you, as I have a whole shelf full of untouhced linens.

  • Comment by Tracy — February 22, 2008 @ 8:40 am

    I have a vintage dishtowel that was hand embroidered that I cherish, maybe you could turn those pillowcases into dishtowels so they can be displayed in your kitchen?

  • Comment by Claudia — February 22, 2008 @ 10:08 am

    It’s always fun to find little treasures for almost no money! You have to do something with them…no place for that on a shelf. You could use them as pillowcases but you could use them as book covers, dishtowels or add a piece to a quilt. Or, you could cut a triangle and tie it around your head when you go to the garden…totally 60’s! Oh the possibilities ;)

  • Comment by Sarah Jackson — February 22, 2008 @ 3:50 pm

    I don’t know! They’re so pretty that I’d have a hard time cutting them. Of course, since I’ve been on an apron kick, that’s the first thing that came to my mind. Sweet little aprons.

  • Comment by Karen — February 22, 2008 @ 5:09 pm

    I have the same dilemma plaguing me constantly. Ugh! The decision making gets so tough! I do tend to agree that all must be put to use. That way you get to reap the rewards of vintage cheerfulness daily, even when immersed in the most mundane of tasks! A nice little “pick-me-up/how-do-you-do?”. :-)

  • Comment by Susan — February 23, 2008 @ 6:21 am

    Oooh! Pretty! I second the notion of a pillowcase dress with one of those embroidered pillowcases. It would look so sweet on your little girl- makes a nice summer top over short leggings too.

  • Comment by Kate — February 23, 2008 @ 6:19 pm

    Such gorgeous linens – I’m no help either – I can’t seem to cut into so much in my stash.

  • Comment by Anne — February 23, 2008 @ 10:58 pm

    The one with the lady in the dress is lovely! What about framing them in little frames, or make sachets? I like the apron idea as well.

  • Pingback by Springtime Linens | chikaustin — March 10, 2008 @ 8:49 pm

    [...] couple of weeks ago I wrote about my stash of vintage linens.  I was inspired by your suggestions and have begun to pull them [...]

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