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Nifty Thrifty:  what to do with beautiful white linnen napkins.  |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:26:03 AM
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Ok girls,these not being used. They are from a time when you set a really pretty table and had very white Ironed linen napkins. They are so well made and such nice material. Give me an idea on how to re-pupose them. There is also a huge table cloth that goes with them.
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:29:35 AM
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I've got a few of those myself, Nancy Jo. I'll be looking forward to the answer to your question.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:31:59 AM
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| Ok Nancy- pillows,valances,quilts,apron pockets,use in baskets,collars on tops oops now I went brain dead |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:41:42 AM
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Pillows would be lovely in such pretty linens. I was trying to rack my brain, Carrie to come up with something. I think I was overthinking things. :P I use a lot of the linen napkins as table top things. Like scarves almost. A doily on top protects in somewhat, but you can still see the pretty linen underneath the lace.
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
Life should NOT be a jounrey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming. "WOOHOO, what a ride!"
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:52:49 AM
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I've got old linen tablecloths hanging as curtains on most of my windows (not sewed at all, just hanging by clip-on hooks). I'm thinking about making more colorful curtains, but I'll probably put those on top and keep the tablecloths as the "sheer" layer.
I've also got a couple of small windows where I stitched together a set of linen napkins. Just stitched along the edges, so it would be easy to disassemble. They look like patchwork when the light shines through.
I think little pillows or sachets would be nice too. I'll probably try those in the future. |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 12:49:35 PM
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I use all the old cloth napkins and tablecloths i have most of the time, but I like using the worn out ones for doll clothes, or embroidery projects. Making aprons was a great suggestion too. I know I have an old pattern booklet somewhere with an apron on the cover that is a yard square tablecloth made into an apron, by folding down one corner in the front and putting ties on the two corners that go around your body. And of course you can either put a neck strap or just pin the front. I think it was printed in the twenties. I know I looked at it last year.....
I don''t know what it is about old fabric that speaks to me, I always love the really wornout old linens. I guess it is the stories they suggest to me. I'll find a little linen towel that someone carefully embroidered or embellished and i'll wonder what their lives were like (I have too much time on my brain)....I have this one potholder I bought from an old woman at a flea market for 50 cents twentyor so years ago. It isn't fancy, but it is this wonderful old fabric with Puss in Boots on it. It is very thin so I don't think it was used much, which is why it was in fairly good shape.
Curtains and sachets are a great idea, Amie. And we know how much you like to make sachets, Nancy Jo.
I have some old what my mother called "tray cloths" for when I'm playing tea party or cocktail party maybe three times a year. I have some huge old tin trays that my mother painted when I was a kid. You could get some trays at the thrift and start a new collection.....oh, no , that's right we're all trying to be frugal, but every farmgirls needs a few trays.
Well there, blathering away as usual, Carrie's suggestions got me thinking of things to do with my stockpile of old bits and pieces. That is one of my favorite things about this site, so many wonderful women and so many ideas to think about....
Keep warm and well, Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 6:42:46 PM
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| Karin, I love old fabric too. Some of my curtains have worn spots where the tablecloth was mended and they show when the light shines through. I like to try to spot them. For some reason, I feel like they add to the fabric rather than taking away. |
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JenniferJuniper
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Jennifer
New Hampshire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2009 : 05:16:20 AM
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Srting a line up across a window and drape the napkins diagonally (corners pointing down), will make a nice valance esp. if the napkins are embroidered or such in a corner. I also do this w/vintage hankies.
Maybe use the tablecloth as a slipcover for a chair.
Stitch 4 napkins in a square and sew on a large piece cut from the tablecloth for a euro-size pillow sham.
Sew shoe bags for travelling.
Farmgirl Sister #204 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 12:02:31 PM
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If they are square, I've seen instructions online for turning them into little drawstring purses/bags and the four corners turn into "petals" at the opening. You could dye them and give them away or if you left them white, you could give them to brides. Ooh..I just thought about tea staining them and adding a bit of old lace and giving them as party favors at a "high tea" get-together.
Okay, I'm having more fun thinking about these than I should! LOL
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com & www.wayofthewife.blogspot.com |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 5:14:37 PM
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I say use them!! They beat paper napkins which like paper towels have chemicals in them that are harmful to the environment and add to the trash problem!!
Stained ones? Soak in hot water and oxyclean or hang on the line in the sun to bleach.
Nothing beats a cloth napkin in my book.
Visit my blog at: www.sewonandsewfourth.blogspot.com
Visit our farm at: www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com
Aprons for sale at: www.apronmaven.blogspot.com |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 5:24:32 PM
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Oh me too. I only use cloth napkins.. I have a real thing about paper ones.. I just don't like them. Like bev said they have chemicals in them..I have used cloth napkins for eons.. The cloth ones really decorate a plain table,Make all meals seem special. I have always set place mats & cloth napkins for meals... not just spoecial company.. I deserve that too..
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 10:46:09 AM
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Pillows are beautiful from linen napkins. If you're not going to use them for napkins then don't hesitate to cut them to fit other projects. They make lovely lavender sachets. I would use them though - I love cloth napkins.
Handmade Soap and More! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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Nifty Thrifty: what to do with beautiful white linnen napkins. |
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what to do with beautiful white linnen napkins.
