Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Cloth Napkins That Serve a New Purpose


There is no market for fine linens,
so I don't bother with listing them for sale in my etsy shop.
Believe me, I've tried, with little success.
But what to do with all of the cloth napkins from my grandmother?
I have been storing them for ages, wrinkled and unused.
This week I decided to cut them up *gasp!* and otherwise alter them.
Remember in my last post about cloth bags,
I told you I would rummage in my china cabinet drawers for more materials?
Well, I did.
And here is my report.
 
 
Linen napkins make fabulous sachets or gift bags!
This one was too "white", so I dyed it was some old tea left in my pot
(I drink sometimes 3 pots of black tea a day).
Once dry, I cut the napkin up into quarters and made a dainty bag from each quarter.
I sewed the lacy scraps and buttons on first,
then sewed the bags up on two sides, using the fold as one side.
The linen napkins I have are serged on all 4 sides,
so I used the finished edge for my opening st the top. 
 
 
Before I made the small ones, I made a large one from a single, uncut napkin. 
I gave it the same tea dye treatment to give it some age, and to disguise any stains
(none of my napkins are spotless!)
This napkin was also bordered on all four sides, so I used it.
It also had some machine embroidery on one corner, which I also used in my design.
 
 
 You might recognize the crowned heart from one of my first bags.
I plan to repeat that design until I run out of the crocheted doily I cut it from.
You may get really tired of seeing it, because I have a lot of that doily left!
So there you are.
Use folded paper towels at the dinner table and
save your good linen napkins for creating ditty bags!
Now go make something!
 


12 comments:

Unknown said...

These are beautiful! I've been using my stash of linen from my grandmother too. I'm amazed at all the handwork on them.

Anonymous said...

Oh, wow! Now I have to find something special I have on hand. I'll be back. Those are too precious for words.

Lorrie said...

These are lovely pieces. I collect old linen napkins from thrift stores and use them for crafting. But the linen ones from my MIL I save to use at the table. I don't bother ironing them unless it's for a special occasion or I have time, but I love thinking that they were given to her on her wedding day over 60 years ago.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Better to repurpose in such a beautiful way than to leave those old linens stored away wrinkled and forgotten. Your ditty bags are lovely. Best wishes, Tammy

Linda Jo said...

These are soooo wonderful! I never tire of them. I've been using my mother-in-law's old napkins to embroider on for a long time. But making these little bags is my favorite thing.... I'm going to make some!!!

~*~Patty S said...

I Love a good crown and yours is/are sublime!

Precious ways to rescue the linens and things I am always drawn to too :)

Your bags are inspired and so pretty and useful too

Happy Love Day to you and yours dear Nathalie
oxo

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

These new works are especially beautiful...and I could see how a precious piece of jewelry would find a new home...just so beautiful! Happy Valentine's Day! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Jill said...

They are all so pretty!

carole brungar said...

Gorgeous! The pretty heart just finishes it nicely :)

Yvonne said...

I love old linens too and this is a wonderful idea. I know it was hard to cut them up, but better used than not I guess.

At Home in English Valley said...

Just love this look. I have been reluctant to cut up my lace pieces, but sometimes you find them already cut or in pieces. These are a very nice way to give new life to these lacy bits. Thank you for sharing your idea. Penny

Caterina Giglio said...

brilliant!