Enjoying Vintage Textiles
I grew up watching my people make things. My great-grandmother knitted, embroidered, sewed, quilled, crafted and created daily. My paternal grandpa was a furniture maker and I have several chests and plant stands in my home that I use daily from his workshop. I learned to embroidery, sew, and knit from my mom. I know the love and time that goes into a handmade article of clothing or work.
So, when I browse my local antique stores, my vocation and background blend to bring me to often fall in love with vintage textiles, especially embroidery, quilts, and tablecloths. After a visit to the studio, where I give the items a gentle bath; steam out snags and puncture marks; and smooth any flaws, I especially enjoy mixing the pieces with newer items in my home, workspace, and cottage.
These photos are from my guest room, where I use an easy-care washable comforter as the main bed cover. But, the quilted sham is an antique store find and blends so nicely with the quilt that my husband’s grandmother gave us 25 years ago. We used the quilt daily for many years on our bed, but after a while it began to show it’s age. Not wanting to lose the memories, love and time that Grandmother Parks put into it, it’s life is now as an “extra” layer adding color and charm to the bed. This way, I can clean it every few months instead of every few weeks, extending it’s life even further.
I do the same with several crib-sized quilts; one that my great-grandmother made for me and two that were gifts from a special woman in our church when my boys were born. These quilts are the perfect size to use at the end of a twin bed and they adorn bunks at our cottage right now. Since I have a few, I can rotate their use.
Another interest of mine is dressing my table with vintage tablecloths, runners, and embroidered napkins. Like my own outfits, I tend to use more layers in the colder months; a tablecloth, then a runner, then napkins. In the summer, I’ll pare it down and let a simple covering or even just place mats hold court.
Currently on my table is a busy look, but it works for the holidays and mixes NEW Laura Ashley (the lemon tablecloth) with VINTAGE Laura Ashley (the floral runner).
Here is a simpler and cleaner look that also uses layers of vintage textiles:
I encourage you to check your closets and chests; do you have some hand-made pieces that could be serviceable still? It’s a great way to honor the maker of those items and show your personal style. Here are my best tips for caring and using for vintage textiles:
Vintage pieces are best used as extras and back up pieces. Washing and steaming, even when done correctly, causes a strain on older fibers. Use them to decorate a table, but don’t actually eat on them. They make perfect extra layers for a bed, or cases for a reading pillow, but let newer pieces do most of the daily work.
If you are not comfortable handwashing and steaming your pieces, take them to a professional cleaner who specializes in vintage and heirloom textiles.
Switch them out often and give your pieces seasonal breaks.
When not in use, store them folded and layered with tissue paper or cotton sheets. A perfect way to store a vintage quilt or bedspread is folded inside a clean white cotton pillowcase.