This post addresses the repurposing and decorating of vintage linens. These vintage linens might be something your grandmother sewed and that you inherited.

Or maybe you were fortunate enough to find these pretties at the thrift store or antique mall.

I have a picnic basket filled with vintage linens I’ve picked up here and there over the years. And I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with them. I hat that they’re just folded and hidden from sight.

Thus began my online journey. I found lots of ideas in the repurposing and decorating of vintage linens. Some are more elaborate than I want to take on. But the easier projects I am certainly interested in.

Teapot = Pin Cushion:

A precious way to make a pin cushion is to use a thrift store teapot and put the pin cushion in the lid. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say the material in the lid was glued down.

However it was made, it is a work of art in and of itself. And it would make a perfect gift for the quilter or sewer in your circle.

Kudos for Sadie Seasongoods to have thought of it. She’s a master at thinking up beautiful creations.

Hankies = Quilt:

A relative may have left you a collection of vintage hankies and they’re just sitting in a box somewhere. Like mine in the picnic basket.

Consider getting them out and making a memorable quilt that will remind you of that person every day.

If you don’t have the quilting skills, look for someone you can pay to put it together for you.

Vintage Hanky = Place Mat

Here’s another great idea using hankies. Find the prettiest ones that are similar in color. Then sew them into a delicate place mat for the table. This one was a Valentine Day project.

Lora came up with this creation. She comes up with the most amazing creations. Check out her blog and you’ll see what I mean.

Feed Sacks = Upholstered Chair:

If you’re lucky enough to find old vintage feed sacks, there are lots of things you could do with them. Making a pillow cover is one of them.

But if you have the knowledge and the patience, you could upholster a piece of furniture. This is another one of Lora’s creations.

I spent all day yesterday scanning the internet for projects such as this. But either the blog was no longer in existence or the project didn’t have a source.

So I ended up using some projects by the same talented bloggers so I could say who they were.

Vintage Pillowcase = Nighties:

Aren’t these adorable? If you’re a sewer, you might think about fashioning a vintage bed sheet into a summer dress for a young girl to wear.

This was a project by Sarah at She Holds Dearly.

Vintage Hankies = Window Valance:

Another great way to use hankies is to create a window treatment out of them. The one above is a valance.

Hankies are just the right size for this project. This was a project by Beverly over at Flamingo Toes.

Vintage Material = Suitcase Covers:

If you happen upon Depression era fabrics, you could cover suitcases.

I doubt you’d ever be unable to find your luggage in the airport after creating this project! But then, you probably wouldn’t want to actually use them to travel with. They’re too pretty for that.

This suitcase project is a creation by the sisters Emma and Elsie at A Beautiful Mess.

Vintage Sheet = Shower Curtain:

This vintage sheet makes an adorable shower curtain. The flowers are colorful but not too busy for a feminine bathroom.

This happens to be another creation by Sadie Seasongoods.

Vintage Hankies = Apron

Another way to use those vintage hankies is to make an apron out of them. This one is layered and extra cute.

Beverly of Flamingo Toes is the creator here. I kept finding adorable crafted projects on the internet, and seeing the names of the same bloggers over and over. Because they’re that good.

Decorating With Vintage Linens:

There are many ways to decorate with vintage linens. Search on Pinterest or Instagram if you’re looking for inspiration.

Maybe you’re one of those talented people who have the display skills to to decorate on your own.

Have fun displaying vintage linens. They were made with loving hands and should be decorated with loving hearts.

Pillows In A Picnic Basket:

If you find pillows made out of vintage fabric at the thrift store or antique mall, there are many ways to style them in your home.

Place them in a basket to display as a collection. Or use them on a couch or chair. Sit them atop a tall piece of furniture in an antique container of some sort.

This is yet another project of Lora Bloomquist’s.

Linens Displayed In A Creamer:

If you have smaller linens you’re not sure how to display, fold them up and put them into a pretty teacup or ironstone creamer.

I found this over at Angie’s blog, Postcards From The Ridge. She has lots of posts she’s written about vintage and cottage style. And projects to go along with them.

Vintage Linens Hanging On The Wall:

This is an excellent way to display your vintage linens. Put some short rods on a wall and hang your favorite linens on them.

This attribution goes to the Cottage Journal website.

Vintage Linens & Quilts On Display:

A great way to display and decorate with vintage linens is to arrange them on top of old school lockers.

If you have small children or grandchildren and the linens are delicate, you might want to keep them out of range of small hands.

This decorating was by Lora again. I kept finding these great photos, and then finding that I’d already used their projects. The same creators over and over again.

I must give credit where credit is due. And these ladies should receive credit for their prolific imaginations.

A Doily Centerpiece:

I once had a neighbor who crocheted the prettiest white doily for me. I’d keep it on display on my round oak table.

I have no idea what happened to that doily, but I really admired the time and work she put into it. Sadly, I know longer have the oak table anymore either.

I wish I still had that beautiful doily. And the oak table.

This photo was styled by Cindy at DIY Beautify. And she has lots of beautiful things to see on her blog. I visit it often.

Outdoor Dining With Vintage Linens:

Of course a pretty vintage tablecloth can’t look any better than gracing a table where your family will dine.

This photo was, once again, by Angie of Postcards From The Ridge. She and these other ladies have beautiful homes and blogs.

How To Launder Vintage Linens:

I went to Martha Stewart with this one. I think of her as the ultimate homemaker, so this is her advice.

Pre-soak

If the pieces have been exiled to the deepest corner of your linen closet for a while, give them a long bath in plain cold or tepid water to loosen set-in grime.

Replace the water when it gets cloudy, and repeat until it stays clear. (And we do mean a long one: This can take up to a week.)

Wash

Fill a tub with tepid water and mild laundry detergent, as well as powdered oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean (see the soaps’ labels for the proportions). Wearing rubber gloves, slosh the linens around gently. Rinse well.

Treat

Martha Stewart Living home editor Lorna Aragon swears by Engleside Restoration Fabric Restorer to remove stubborn stains. Dissolve three scoops per gallon of water, then soak the fabric for six to eight hours. Remove and rinse.

Air-Dry

The sun has natural fabric-brightening powers. Lay your items flat on a towel outside (or in a sunny spot inside).

Store

To keep antique linens in mint condition, store them in a dry, dark cupboard on shelves that are painted or lined with acid-free paper. Oils in wood can discolor them. Tuck sheets of acid-free paper in their folds, too.

(Washing instructions via Martha Stewart.)

Best Places To Find Vintage Linens:

You can usually find vintage linens and quilts at antique stores and antique malls. Sometimes you can get lucky at the thrift store or flea market.

And look for them on Etsy. I can often be found sitting in my chair drooling over some of these pretty vintage linens!

This is one of the best places to look if you’re searching for something specific. And you’re supporting a small business.

Don’t let stains scare you off. If you can’t get the stains out, you can cut around the stains and still create something. Especially if there is nice embroidery sewn on it.