Collecting Vintage Linens

By Barbara Nicholson Bell

I have strong memories of my mother spending hours at an ironing board, pressing the dozen damask napkins and the heavy matching tablecloth, in preparation for a holiday dinner. It was a labor of love, because she hated to iron! These had been handed down by her mother to her, and now I own them.

If you are of my generation, you will remember the tremendous joy we felt when "permanent press" was invented! Few of us need to iron any table linens any more, so if you are a collector of vintage fabrics and "linens" (a generic term for several fabrics for domestic use) you will know that the ironing must, indeed, be a labor of love.

Ironing is, of course, only one aspect of caring for aged fabrics. As you explore the flea markets and garage sales for old hankies, napkins, aprons, antimacassars, dresser scarves, tablecloths, or baby clothes, you will find most are very fragile. Those antique dealers who specialize in vintage linens usually have removed stains as much as possible and carefully pressed the items so they will look more attractive to buyers. However, you will probably find most items at garage sales and other casual venues will not have been so carefully handled.

When you find an item you might like to purchase, take these steps first:

• Ask, if you can, how the item has been stored. Was it put away in a cedar chest for decades? Has it been in constant use? If something has been folded for many years, the fabric along the creases will be more fragile than other parts. It may also have discolored along the creases.
• Determine what fabric it is. Cotton, linen and wool are natural materials which attract insects and are affected by sunlight, which not only fades colors but can weaken the fabric. More "modern" fabrics such as rayon or nylon, introduced in the early years of the 20th century, may not have the same kind of deterioration, but suffer their own problems. Treating the fabric for stains will be different, depending on the fabric.
• Look for rips, holes, frayed edges, missing fringe, or old repairs. With rare exceptions, trying to fix these problems will not be worth your effort. The exceptions are: something so old or so rare as to be an heirloom, and even with the damage (which you WON'T repair) it is of great value; or, you intend to use the item in another way which isn't affected by the damage, such as using an intact portion of a pattern as a curtain border, or making it into a pillow front, or as pieces of a quilt, etc.

Once you have purchased the item, and have brought it home, look closely in good (natural)light for stains. Cotton and linen may be soaked in hot water with a little dishwashing soap, carefully rubbing the stained part with a soft brush, wrung gently by hand, and laid flat to dry. If you intend to iron the piece, it's best to do so while it is still damp, using a hot iron ("cotton" or "linen" setting). Use bleach only on all-white pieces, as many older dyes are not colorfast with today's bleach products. Some of the "oxygen" type cleaning products may take out more stubborn stains. Be very careful with loose stitches, old repairs which might be of a different fabric, etc.

Wool pieces should be soaked carefully in cold water and Woolite (following directions), and laid flat to dry and "blocked". Better yet, ask your dry cleaning establishment to clean it for you, taking care to do so without strong chemicals.

What can you do with your precious linens? As mentioned above, there are many ways to display and use your collection. A pair of delicate hankies can be made into a small baby's pillow (decorative use only). A tablecloth with an odd number of matching napkins can be turned into café curtains or a bench cushion and matching pillows. A pair of crocheted ladies' gloves could be framed in a shadowbox with a vintage postcard, a tiny sprig of silk flowers, and an opened antique fan or an old dance card. Babies' clothing will fit many antique dolls, to be displayed out of reach of children. Damask table linens can still be used as originally intended, if you are careful to treat new stains immediately. Dresser scarves, freshly starched and pressed, will perk up any Victorian-style bedroom. A mismatched set of doilies can be the backdrop for your teacup collection or family photos.

Using your imagination, and some loving attention to their care, you'll find collecting vintage linens to be very rewarding, and fun!

About the Author:

I have been a writer all my life, a collector of various interesting and old things, a traveler and an artist. More importantly, I've been a mother to four fine sons and grandmother to one very smart young lady. In these capacities and a few miscellaneous others, I've pursued a number of careers. I formerly wrote for Suite101.com on the topics Antiques & Collectibles and Design How-To (formerly, Interior Decorating for Beginners) as well as managing the Arts & Crafts section and several courses and newsletters to do with gardening, the home, and family. My articles have been gathered in two Best of Suite e-books entitled Antiques & Collectibles: The Design Periods, and The Collector's Encyclopedia, vols I & II.

Another stage in my life begins as Editor for Suite101's Home and Garden section. I can now legitimately focus on my passions for interior decorating, gardening and writing all at once!

Recently I was assigned the Health section as well. As the health of my family and myself are of utmost importance to me, I feel honored to have this responsibility. Meanwhile, if other avenues of self-expression present themselves to me, I may follow them as well. Some other very important interests include my husband Russ, Paris (and everything French), and golf.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.