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Friday, March 22, 2013

Choosing Linens






I tend to use hard working linens on my everyday table. And because I actually prefer the look, plain hefty linen with a nice weave gets more of a workout around here.



But special occasions can call for a bit more. And I also love pulling out the folded stacks for a beautiful airing for no other reason than to enjoy their beauty.




Isn't this eyelet monogram interesting?




I love cutwork embroidery a lot too. Both white on white, and the more tonal whites with ecru thread.




Decisions, decisions! These are all smaller tablesquares to use either on a smaller table or chair back, or laid over a larger cloth to show it off in the center. I love the look of layered linen.





More details.











Here's a closer look at the linen cloth with the crochet hem. 







It has an inset circle of lace in the center as well.
















I thought I would show you one of my dressiest tablecloths. You may have noticed it on my table before. It's vintage Quaker Lace, but with a difference. . . .




Most Quaker Lace is made from cotton thread. Mine is all silk, which gives it a beautiful sheen and a nice springy texture.




I've never seen another like it.









I must tell you, choosing linens is a great way to start the day!

I hope your day is off to a good start too!

Happy Spring Weekend!

Jacqueline




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22 comments:

  1. I do adore linens and love the old embroidery with cutwork, old crochet and also the quaker lace. I have more of the ecru from earlier hunting but now am adoring the white more. Your pieces are wonderful and photographed a a charming way! Love this post!

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  2. So beautiful. I have a collection too and it's such a pleasure to use the various pieces. I line to set small tables for a dinner party just to be able to use the smaller cloths.

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  3. Your linens are so beautifully displayed in these images, Jacqueline, I just love looking at them. I have a few that are similar to the ones you show here. Ironing old linens has always been my favorite house chore. Wishing you a lovely weekend.

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  4. How nice to see your linen shown in such a lovely way ,I love your photo shots. after seeing yours I really must open the box that mine is stored in & put it to use. Since I've been living in France, I've been using provencal style table linen, but as I'm in the process of a revamp to my home, I'm thinking how nice it will be to see all my old bed and table linen brought out. Thank you Jacqueline

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  5. You have the most beautiful pieces Jacqueline! I love all kinds of linens too, but the cutwork pieces are some of my favorites. I always love seeing your beautiful collection.
    hugs...

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  6. Jacquelyn...I'm starting to sort through some things in our basement(after 42 years) and I found a bag of old linens. A few of them remind me of yours. I have washed and ironed a few. I can only imagine the time and...lost art that's envolved in this wonderful art. I loved seeing how you displayed yours.

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  7. Hi Jacqueline,
    Your linens are all so beautiful, as are the photos. I just love the detail and that eyelit monogrammed piece is amazing. Love it! You have inspired me to look for these beautiful pieces so tomorrow I'm going to an antique show and sale and will hopefully find some pretty ones. Have a great weekend! Gina

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  8. Beautiful linens, they are just a work of art. I have a set of cutwork napkins edged in the ecru thread, I treasure them.

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  9. Beautiful things Jacqueline. I inherited a bag full of handmade napkins and tablecloths ( smaller ones) from my MIL. Her grandmother made them. I was with mouth hanging opened when she gave them to me. Little works of art they are. Every time I use them, and I do use them, I an so happy to see all the detailed work.
    Thanks for sharing your treasures.
    Hugs, Gee

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  10. Hellooooo Jacqueline...
    Just FaB *Eyelet Monogram*... YOU have the most pristine StaSh of Linens ever!*!*!
    Jeanine Burkhardt

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  11. There is nothing like crisps, clean linens and lace. I love cut work linens. Beautiful!
    Darly
    of Crafton Abbey

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  12. Your linen collection is fab! Think of all the movies they must not have watched to create all these wonderful embroideries and edgings and monograms. My Grand made wonderful things....I remember hankies with butterfly insets in the corner. Treasures that inspired me to make things long ago.

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  13. What a beautiful collection of linens!!! The tablecloth of silk...never saw one before.......and eyelet monogram, have never seen that before either!!!

    Each piece is special, we are the caretakers of the past for the future.....

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  14. Jqcqueline,
    Such beautiful tablecloths, I LOVE cutwork as well, and your napkins with the taupe/gray are so exquisite! The Silk tablecloth is amazing...and breathtakinglly beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us! I want to go set my table for dinner now! at 6:45 in the morning!
    LOL!!!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  15. Jqcqueline,
    Such beautiful tablecloths, I LOVE cutwork as well, and your napkins with the taupe/gray are so exquisite! The Silk tablecloth is amazing...and breathtakinglly beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us! I want to go set my table for dinner now! at 6:45 in the morning!
    LOL!!!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  16. I have a sweet cutwork embroidery tablecloth on the table by my bed. I love waking up to it everyday.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  17. You really have some gorgeous linens. I have some Italian ones from my mom that resemble a few of yours. Lovely! Have a beautiful weekend...

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  18. Your table linens are just gorgeous. Love them and I love using them too ~

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  19. Jacqueline,
    It would be a hard decision for me, as well, dear friend!!!
    Exquisite!!!
    The Quaker Lace made from silk is, indeed, a rare find!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  20. Lovely lace table cloth...
    I actually have a large cut-work tablecloth and napkins that my dear old Aunt made for me 40 years ago...
    Perhaps I should pull it out, and have a look..
    Hope you are keeping well...

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  21. I like the few vintage linens I have collected and rotate them for use.
    Our daughter received a lace tablecloth wedding gift from Belgium and knowing I use them all the time on my tables, gave it to me on loan. It hung down the sides of the table by only an inch or two all around so I wonder if their table sizes are different in Europe. It didn't look very nice, so even though the lace was heavenly, I boxed it up and gave it back to our daughter. I doubt it will ever see the light of day again.
    Judith

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  22. Oh my gosh, that quaker lace is so soft and pretty looking. I have some similar lace and i just love it...

    Cindy

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