Vintage Linens Repurposed

I love vintage linens but a person can only have so many table runners. So what can you do with a beautiful hand-crafted linen with beautiful French knots? Super simple...sew it and give it a new life as a pillow.

I took the fabric and laid it out to look it over.

Then I positioned the stuffing on top to make sure I had enough to make a pillow.

Then I turned the fabric inside out.

The edges were fairly frayed but that's okay. I simple sewed it around the edges - with the outside on the inside.

Then I stuffed the pillow and sewed up the edge.

Isn't it pretty on the front room chair?

Those Were the Days My Friend

I remember sitting and watching my grandma. She always seemed to have a hook in her hand or a needle.

You see, my Grandma used to knit and crochet and sew all sorts of things. When I was little, I didn't appreciate all the skill and talent that went into her doilies, table clothes, blankets, afghans, or even the clothes she made for us (especially the flannel nightgowns) but now I do.

It took a long time for me to come to my senses. But when I took up knitting, crocheting and sewing, I learned that these things aren't easy to make. It takes talent, patience and practice to perfect these delicate crocheted borders--not to mention the flowers and scenes she sewed.

Now these old linens are keepsakes.

Lucky for me my MIL gave me a few more vintage linens to add to my growing collection.

Aren't these beautiful? And to think these are decades and decades old but they still retain their vibrant punches of color.

How 'bout you...do you have any items that have been passed down in your family that you didn't appreciate as a child but now have come to love them?