Figural linens told me: People matter!

Life Lesson #23: People are important; everyone matters!

Figural linens and laces are ones that have images of people, animals, birds, mythological creatures, urns of flowers, etc. incorporated into the design.

In a few days I’ll show you this entire piece. It’s amazing!

I love them!  Some of my favorites include people–like this Southern Belle from my personal collection…

…or these two collages of fun ones from Kerry.  As I expected, you wonderful readers here at My Place have left some nice comments saying how glad you are to be introduced to Kerry. I hope you’re checking out her blog and Etsy shop, too!

Thanks again, Kerry, for letting me supplement my pics with some of yours!

Some of you may remember seeing this antique damask napkin. It’s a figural, too, but I only consider it a “person” because it depicts a family crest–a royal one, in fact… and because one of the *set* of napkins has a royal monogram. How I wish I knew who actually owned this piece…

I  re-discovered this little guy the other day. I was saving him for “someday”–in case I had a grandson.

Um… Those of you who follow life here at My Place know that I did indeed have a grandson–four years ago!  And now, Daughter the Younger and my Favorite Fatigue Wearer have a second precious little boy at their house–and have for the past 18 months!

Don’t you think it’s about time I did something with this piece?

July 4, 2014: If I haven’t done something with it by then, it has to go to someone else.

I really love the “fancy” figurals. These linen guest towels feature a courting couple of machine-made lace.

This one, on the other hand, is exquisite … and entirely handmade.  The style of embroidery is called Appenzell. It’s pristine white, but I darkened it so you can see the design better.

I especially treasure this piece because when I found it at a thrift shop–for $3– there was a dime-sized, heavy blob of dark blue ink just above the design. For all practical purposes, the towel was ruined.

At the time, I had only recently discovered Carbona Stain Devils and thought perhaps I could get out the ink. I guessed it was worth a $3 gamble.

Ha! Today I wouldn’t even hesitate. I’d grab that gorgeous and run to the checkout counter! I know I can get out an ink spot! (So can you. Just check out my How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace series to learn my tricks.)

So what do all these “people” figurals have to do with a life lesson? I’m glad you asked…

When I see figural linens, I always wonder *who* the person was–both the person who designed and sewed the piece…and the person depicted in the design. Obviously the designer was a real person, but what about the other one?

Was the person so meticulously stitched in perpetuity simply a design element… or a once living, breathing being? Was the image chosen because it was a popular style of the day…or because it held a special memory for the seamstress?

What?  You don’t wonder those things?

Figural designs of people in linens remind me that people are important. They remind me that everyone matters. Everyone–from royalty to working men and women to stay-at-home moms to young children. We all have the same Creator who loves each one of us–equally. Surely I can learn to do the same.

And the ink spot that supposedly translated into “ruin”? Well, over the past several years, I’ve been blessed to have a front row seat when it comes to seeing “ruined” lives transformed into things of beauty. I’ve shared some of those stories of Hope with you here–and I’ll share more in the future.

Who knew a piece of cloth with a fancy woman embroidered on it could stir up so many memories…

Do you have any figural linens? Do you like the ones with people–I’ll admit, they sometimes look kinda “funky”–or do you prefer another design? Have your linens been teaching you any life lessons lately?

This is part of a 31-day series.  If you missed previous Life Lessons, they’re available HERE.

Related posts:

There are vintage linens I DON’T like… *Gasp!* Life Lessons From Linens Creative use of vintage linens Family Linens