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Monday, March 18, 2013

Lovely Linens

March is my favorite month here in Arizona. The mornings are warming up but not yet hot and in my neighborhood the orange blossoms are just coming out and perfuming the morning and evening air. On Friday mornings my friend Kathy and I go walking, not too far, just 3 or 4 miles. But Kathy called and said there was a garage sale we shouldn't miss that morning. Now, Kathy is the queen of garage sales so when she says don't miss it, I listen. Boy, was she right!  There were lots and lots of vintage items but what I loved most were the linens.

 There were dozens of charming retro tablecloths in bright, happy patterns,
 old embroidered and hand crocheted napkins, dishtowels and table runners.

 It was so hard to choose, but I brought several pieces home with me.

 Look at the dainty stitching on these linen hand towels!


 And I love the natural color of these table runners. 

 Linen has been used since ancient times for  garments and for fabrics in the home. It comes from the flax plant and has a lovely natural sheen to it. The fibers have a slight nub distinguishing it from cotton. It is very strong and light weight and has excellent wicking properties which is why it is so comfortable in the summertime. Linen irons beautifully however it does wrinkle easily. It is perfect for drying china and glassware because it is so absorbent and has little lint.
Notice the griffin and shield woven into the lace. 


 This gorgeous pillow was meant for my wing chair!

 I paid only $2-4  for each of my treasures. Don't be afraid to purchase vintage linens from flea markets and estate sales. They are a small but affordable luxury. 
I'll be joining


6 comments:

  1. What a wonderful find! I admit I am a linen hoarder and I might have fought you for these, especially the linen pieces.

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  2. oh my goodness what wonderful treasures! xo P.S. I invite you to share at my hop on Thursday

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  3. Your vintage linens are the most beautiful that I have seen and I can tell you I have seen a few, I love the hand work on them and your collection is to droll over...thanks for sharing them, I am a new follower of yours...

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  4. Wonderful! :) I love vintage linens. You have a beautiful collection.
    Have a great week!
    ~Liz

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  5. I went to an estate sale several
    months ago and on the ground in the
    garage was a box of fabrics just
    stuffed in it. So I knelt down and
    sorted through.. it was all totally
    wrinkled vintage linens. Some tatted,
    teeny crochet, embroidered and amazing.
    There must have been at least 30 pieces
    in this box and the woman said $2.00.
    SOLD... I brought home the box and carefully
    washed each piece. Some had years of
    stains but I managed to get most out.
    Now to find some really nice crafty thing
    to do with them.
    Yours are especially nice.
    Wonderful photos
    Sandy

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  6. I just love vintage table cloths, it looks like you found some treasures. Also, I'm giving you the Liebster Award for your great posts! :) You can check out the details on my blog post at - http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com/
    Cheers!
    Lori in Atlanta

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