Uses for Vintage Embroidered Pillowcases

 Some of the very first vintage linen pieces I owned

were embroidered and crocheted pillowcases

that were given to me after

my great-grandmother passed.

 

 

I was a young junior-high girl.  Even then, I admired the

pastel colored embroidery and dainty crocheted edging. 

I have no memories of Agnes since she moved to the

other side of the United States

when I was very, very young.

 She had come to America as a young girl with her

immigrating parents from Czechoslovakia.

 

  

 

Here she is on the left.  I wonder where she was going

arm-linked with her friend.  Their fur-accented coats

and fashionable hats whisper to me of

some special outing.

 

 

 

For a while, I used my great-grandmother's pillowcases,

but after several washings,

I noticed the soft cotton was wearing thin.

To protect these little pieces I had of Great-Grandmother's time,

I found other uses for her embroidered pillowcases.

 

 

For months, I would drape them over the bedroom nightstands,

letting the handiwork show toward the front of the nightstand.

The cotton pillowcase then draped over the back portion

of the stand.

 

 

I've also placed them inside my linen closet so that

the beautiful edging falls right at the edge of the shelf.

Sheets and towels get stacked on top.

 

 

 

 Sheet sets can be folded and stored within

these pretty vintage cases.

 

Imagine reaching into your linen closet without having

to search for the matching fitted and top sheets!

 

This storage option also reduces the amount of allergens

and dust mites that come into contact with your stored linens.

(We've got allergies at my house!!)

  

 

If you find a clean and mostly un-used set, consider

gifting them to that dear relative

 or friend who already has

everything. 

Even if a year or two's worth of laundering

wears out the beauties,

they still will have served their intended purpose --

adding beauty to the home.

 

 

All of the pillowcases

featured in this post have been

gifts from friends

or my own thrifty finds.

 

 

The Internet and creative craft books

also give numerous repurposing

ideas for these particular vintage linens.

 

Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

I love this one!

 

 

Do you have any ideas for using your

embroidered pillowcases?

 

I'd love to hear!

 

 

Blessings,

Amy

Hankie Favors

 

Who doesn't have a love for vintage hankies?

 

 

 I happened upon a group of forty-some hankies this year

and knew they'd be the perfect favor for

a ladies' event at my church.

 

I needed about 60 for the event.

The group of forty-some was an incredible find.

The remaining 20 or so were easy to obtain.

 

 

Each vintage hankie was cleaned, folded, and arranged

within a specialty paper envelope.

I loved the dainty crocheted edge on the one above.

 

Can you see the incredible embroidery on this hankie?

The padded satin stitch is amazing.

 

 

Others like this scalloped edged beauty

had floral designs on soft cotton.

 

 

Watching the ladies choose their favorite made my day!

 

 

Do you have a favorite hankie?

 

I'd love to hear!

 

 

Blessings,

 

Amy

 

 

Go to the Head of the Class!

Monday morning the school bells ring!

 

 

I'm ready for a new adventure!

Are you?

 

I'll be teaching a great group of 4th graders this year.

 

I've taught in a variety of settings -- the most recent

 having been the homeschooling

of my own fourth grader.

 

While I'm searching for vintage linens, I occasionally

come across vintage school memorabilia.

Such was the case for this 50's Milton Bradley game

"Go to the Head of the Class."

 

 

I love the striped edging and rows and rows of desks.

(I'm not sure this room arrangement

would be great for class control!)

 

 

My game-board only goes to the 8th grade.

 

No skipping class in this teacher's room!

 

 

I'm cheering for Cowboy Joe or Susie.

 

Could you answer these questions?

 

Even Mommy and Daddy get to play!

 

It's my prayer that I help each student

"Go to the Head of the Class."

 

 

 

I'm ready!

Are you?

 

 

 

Have a blessed week,

 

Amy

 



Summer Project Finished!

I've been enamored with the vintage-style oilcloth

that has resurfaced in fabric and quilt stores.

 

 

While visiting a quilt shop this summer, I purchased

some yardage featuring strawberries and gingham.

I couldn't wait to try a sewing project

 that called for this textile.

 

I found oilcloth very easy to sew.

 

My tote is unlined, but pinking shears provided

a cute touch to the edges.

 

Here's my blue-eyed Sassy once again

 interrupting a photo session.

 

She definitely approves of the new tote!

 

 

The pattern for this tote came from the creative

Sophie Bester's Oilcloth Inspirations.

 

I have enough oilcloth left for an adorable lunch sack.

Hmm . . . .what else could I make?

 Before too long, I'll be getting out of storage

some unfinished

fall projects from previous years!

Where has the summer gone?

In my hometown,

school begins this Friday!

 

 

(I saw this storm coming in while at an area shopping plaza.)

I've seen some storms this summer.

 

 

I've seen what comes after the storm.

(The church children found this Lunar Moth after services one evening.)

I've had the time to stop and see

 God's beauty in the smallest of things,

 

 

(Martin's Branch Road.  Everybody needs at least one

road with a tree canopy.)

and I'm ready to see where

the next adventure leads.

 

What will you remember about this summer?

 

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little More Blue . . .

 

 

Here's a soft, well-loved vintage tablecloth

that works well in my kitchen.

 

This little tiered server adds that

little extra "mid-century modern" vibe.

 

 

 I haven't been able to identify the flowers. 

Any ideas?  I'd love to know.

 

 

I picked up this decoupaged cutie

after spotting the Anton Pieck illustrations.

 

After a little on-line searching,

I discovered that this keepsake box was crafted from a kit

manufactured most likely in the late 60's-early 70's.

 

Although unable to find an intact kit, I discovered

many finished boxes and purses similar to this one.

 

The wooden decoupaged purses usually fetch

higher prices.

 

Most of the boxes and purses have velvet linings

with ric-rac trim.

 

Helen did a wonderful job on her treasure box. 

 I love the personal touch of her fabric tag.

 

I recognized Anton Pieck's art

from children's books

illustrated with his work.

 

 

His work was also frequently used for

three dimensional paper cutting crafts.

If you're lucky, you might come across

a collectible wooden purse that contains

a shadowbox.  The shadowbox will

have the three dimensional Pieck image.

 

 

 

Thank you to Glory Be Vintage

for letting me post this picture of her Etsy item.

 

 

Have you recently found a vintage treasure?

I'd love to hear about it.

 

Amy

 

 

 

 

Blue Feels Like Home

 

 

Blue feels like home.

 

Like aquamarine with teasing tide,

or powder blue with cotton clouds,

Midnight navy between the stars.

Nestled egg, the robin kind.

Deep indigo on Staffordshire, 

Aged, azure-tinted canning jars.

 It whispers out of Grandma's opal

appears sky-like in my children's eyes--

familiar, known, but new.

Ah, yes!

Cerulean turns and looks at me --

Their father's blue, what sky becomes,

a deeper, dearer, colored hue.

 

Blue feels like home.

 

 

  

 

I find blue very calming and use the color for my living room,

 dining room, and kitchen.

 

I don't find blue very often during my vintage linen searches.

If I happen upon a piece, I try more often than not to bring it home with me.

 

This square blue cotton tablecloth was probably part of

a bridge or luncheon cloth set.

(Think card table size.)

 

 This hostess probably received many gracious compliments

on her needlework and crochet -- both are beautifully done.

Her unique color selections would have made her table memorable.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you are taking time to smell the roses.

Summer's quickly passing us by and with it the season's blossoms.

Enjoy them!

 

What color do you most enjoy?  Please tell me why,

 

Amy