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Farm Kitchen:  Vintage Tablecloths  |
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theknottysheep
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Kary
knitting in the sea on an island
RI
USA
90 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 04:41:34 AM
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Hi Farm Girls!
I was wondering ... I love ALL vintage linens & I have a tiny collection started. I would love to use some of my table cloths ... but I am SO afraid of stains.
Covering them with plastic is a consideration, but I love 'seeing' the texture of the threads ... Any recommendations?
Thanks & Hugs!
Kary
http://sheepatthebeachartstudio.blogspot.com |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 04:53:40 AM
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Kary,
Use them and enjoy them, if a messy meal is comming take it off the table. You can also display them on something like a dying rack, if you have a display shelf in the kitchen fold them up and stack them so they can be seen.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 07:02:47 AM
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Denture tablets will take out most food based stains and Dawn original dishwashing liquid will do wonders for grease stains. Remember the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska; that's what they used to clean the birds. I stopped using a tablecloth, decided the wood was too pretty to cover up and just use placemats. Use the linens and enjoy them...I buy way too many that were "saved for good" and never used.
Ronna |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 08:22:07 AM
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I use mine, but just a few-I worry about the fabric getting rotten after so many years. Ronna's right about Dawn. That stuff just does wonders!
I bought an old wooden barn ladder, and most of mine are starched and pressed, hanging on that. It's my dh's favorite part of our living room.
Good luck!
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 08:40:40 AM
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| I use all my vintage tablecloths. I have a large round oak table, so I put a 70" round woven tablecloth on it, and then layer on a few square vintage tablecloths. I just peel them off one at a time to wash! Am finding many many of the square kind, cardtable-size and a bit larger, in thrift stores. I use Oxyclean -- it even gets out 'vintage' stains that some of the tablecloths come with! For stubborn stains, I soak in Oxyclean and then hang in the sun before rinsing, then back inside for a full wash/rinse cycle. |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 08:56:49 AM
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| When I had kids at home, I used to leave my tableclothes on the table at meal time, and just put a dishtowel down under their plates and under any dishes of foods that could stain. Worked like a charm. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 08:57:51 AM
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Okay- I am chicken. I have a beautiful table cloth that was hand embroidered by my Great Great Aunt Nora. I haven never used it. I don't think I will use it. It just is way to special to me. I might get it framed or I might display it. I wouldn't mind using other vintage linens that weren't made by family, but since I have so few of Aunt Nora's things, I think I will try to keep this one in good condition.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
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theknottysheep
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Kary
knitting in the sea on an island
RI
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 09:53:59 AM
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Thanks for the great suggestions ... I have always kept a few things aside, to save them for that 'special ocassion' - only to find them ruined in one way or another.
I will be using my vintage textiles! Love the encouragement - thanks!
hugs,
Kary
http://sheepatthebeachartstudio.blogspot.com |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 2:18:52 PM
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Kary
i have a couple too that i love & want to use because they are so pretty.. but like you.. I hate the idea of spilling something on them that i JUST WON"T be able to get out!!!
I bought some clear vinyl that i was making bags out of & i thought.. hmmmm .. I don't really like the idea of covering my table with plastic.. but i really referred sparing the table cloth! So.. when i am using one that is so delicate.. i cover it with the vinyl.. it even comes it diffrent colors too if you want to try something really funky!
i love hanging mine up too though.. Some things i have hanging on an old bunk bed ladder.. with some of my Aprons.. looks sweet..
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 3:54:17 PM
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Use them! Think how many times they have been used before you! And they were probably laundered the way most women did back then -- hot water and bleach. I'm not recommending that now because the fabric is fragile from age. I collect vintage tablecloths and use every one of them. If they get a stain I just use Oxi-Clean, soak, then wash and line dry.
Visit my Etsy shop at http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com |
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theknottysheep
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Kary
knitting in the sea on an island
RI
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 4:03:56 PM
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Again ... the encouragement is GREAT! I have so many new ideas for using them ... AND displaying them! YiPpEE!
I must admit, I do like 'knowing' that they were used in a previous time. Anything 'vintage', I am sure, has the best stories of days gone by! If only we knew them.
hugs,
kary
http://sheepatthebeachartstudio.blogspot.com |
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mommatracy
True Blue Farmgirl
490 Posts
Tracy
My. Olive
NC
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2007 : 6:28:35 PM
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| I too collect vintage tablecloths and napkins. I use them all the time. I haven't met a food or wine stain that I couldn't get out. I've been using Shout stain treatment with much success. If its a really bad stain I treat it with Shout and work it in with a soft toothbrush then squirt more on the stain and let it sit overnight. This works really well.I wash in really hot water. I have started using Oxyclean recently. Got a tip to use it on this website. It is good stuff. I used alot of it in some very hot water in the machine to soak and then wash a very soiled tablecloth and a white shirt. I swear by that stuff. Everything came out beautiful. The shirt looked whiter than ever. I also use fabric softener when washing my tablecloths, this seems to help future stains from digging in. |
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Farm Kitchen: Vintage Tablecloths |
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Vintage Tablecloths
