People often ask me, “Why vintage linens?” The answer has so many facets I hardly know where to start … so I usually just say, “Why NOT vintage linens?”
Since you’re here, I suspect you wouldn’t be happy with that answer, so I won’t give it to you. The truth is, we could talk all day about history and handwork, collections and care, laundry and legacies, preservation and practicalities … and stains and storage (for starters!) In fact, my How to Care for Linens & Lace series does just that. Click the links below to read more.
Are you AFRAID of vintage linens?
linen care: why bother?
washing
drying
ironing
removing storage stains
removing mystery stains
mystery stain: a story in pictures
removing everyday stains
proper storage
mending
leaving a legacy
Surrounding myself with the handwork of generations past touches the deepest part of my spirit. Whether looking at beautiful, meticulous, barely-visible stitches from the hand of a master seamstress … or crude, unpracticed attempts by a young child … I FEEL. Sometimes I feel respect – for teaching, learning, patience, discipline. Other times I feel appreciation – for beauty, creativity, legacy, modern-day convenience. Although yesteryear’s housewife often had no choice but to create the functional, everyday linens needed by her family, today’s woman has many choices … and one is whether or not to use vintage linens. I choose YES!
There’s much more I could say about the impact vintage linens have had on my life… In fact, I’ve done just that in 31 Life Lessons from Linens. Check it out!
Favorite Vintage Linens Books:
- 20th Century Linens and Lace (Elizabeth Scofield and Peggy Zalamea)
- Collecting Antique Linens, Lace, & Needlework (Frances Johnson)
- Guide to Lace and Linens (Elizabeth M. Kurella)
- Legacy of Lace: Identifying, Collecting, and Preserving American Lace (Kathleen Warnick and Shirley Nilsson)
is use them!
