I went out junking again yesterday, so this morning finds me standing over the ironing table. I like to do an overnight soak of my linen gatherings to see with what I have actually ended up. I know what problems went into the sudsy water the night before, so right after coffee I'm curious to know what came out in the wash.
I can tell a lot from checking the linen wet, but the truth is only revealed with the test of a hot iron. Stains can re-emerge with a pressing. The first time it happened to me I thought I was imagining things.
A beautiful cut work design on fine loose weave linen is nothing but pleasure to press at the right stage of damp/dry. The iron just glides. I can already see that the crochet trim is compromised in some areas on one of these matching pillowcases.
Can you see the beautiful slubby texture of the weave?
But it's not always a success story in this business of linen keeping! This small hole that I found in the ironing is a bit of a game changer. I will have to mend it and keep the piece for myself rather than offer it for sale.
After flipping to iron the other side, I can see that it doesn't really need it. Do you see its beautiful linen softness in the folds?
And even though the fabric has a heavier texture the design shows right through.
Wonderfully soft for sleeping, or gorgeous just for show. . . .
This white worked tea cloth is the big winner today, though. All the yellowing and faint stains are gone. Beautiful details, including a bit of applique.
All ready for tea time!
A cluster of small doilies has kept a few signs of age which is quite all right for the use I have planned for them as trim or bunting in which a very vintage look is just what is desired.
Loving the monograms!
Such a beautiful way to start the day!
Finally, there is one more exciting piece to check out. This vintage print tablecloth with a wonderful mint color and rose design. It had a serious stain that I wonder if the soak has lightened any.
Turns out there are still too many problems with it to sell. Aww, darn. Guess I'll have to keep this one too. . . . wink, wink.
See how big it is?
What a roller coaster ride it is living the life of a linen lady!
But it's just all in a day's work. And it's still early yet.
Now, this is the way I like to see the work pile up! All smooth and sweet smelling.
Now, how's it all going for you?
I hope you're having a lovely weekend!
Thanks so much for popping in!
Jacqueline
Also, thanks to a suggestion from Patty from A Little Cape on the Cove, I have placed a "search" feature near the top of my sidebar where you may find other linen posts or find anything else on the blog that might interest you! Thank you Patty!
Join me at
You make ironing look so enjoyable, Jacqueline...and it really is too bad you have to keep a few pieces lol.
ReplyDeleteGetting to keep a couple of pieces is your reward for the day! They are lovely - that mint green is unusual! Sally
ReplyDeleteI share your passion for linens and ironing, lol, I just spent two days soaking and treating a beautiful table cloth, I was successful, you have some beautiful ironing! I love that pile of beauties!
ReplyDeleteThese are all lovely but especially the linen pillow cases ~ beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey all come up looking lovely but ironing is a thing of the past in my house.
ReplyDeleteMerle................
You know I have always loved to Iron... It makes things specially linens look so nice.. I love your finds and those butterfly pillow cases are nice.. and love the mint rose table cloth.. lol nice you get to keep them.. have a wonderful evening and Sunday with love Janice
ReplyDeleteThe linens are beautiful and so soft looking. You really hit the jack pot. So glad that most of the stains came out. Love the pillow cases. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMary
Jacqueline
ReplyDeletefrom one linen lady to another ....I have the same scenerio......keepers with holes or stains but I do hold what we call here a Yard sale ...and learned there are women who create lamp shades with mono's and other re creating ideas for linens I cant sell...so I put them in my box lot of yard sale items as is and they do sell.....pairs of cases become single ones when one on them has issues and I can sell a single pillow case on its own without its partner so there is hope for not keeping every damaged linen we cant sell in the shop
......lovely blog thanks for sharing.....enjoy the rest of the weekend.....Lorraine
glad to find someone who likes to iron besides me. I've been thinking of buying a machine to press my sheets. The men in my life think I'm crazy, truthfully, my daughters too! thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! What do you recommend for soaking linens in overnight?
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your new finds. ;-)
Hi Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy your posts. I do love the smell of linens being ironed and love to see them stacked so nicely.
Thank you .
Regards Janine
Love your 'new to you' linens!! Beautiful textures. Can't believe you're ironing in that heat, or is it cool by you?? I see a window partially opened?? I won't be ironing until October!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your iron table decorating ideas. The designs are so vibrant and the view is so happy and cheerful.
ReplyDeleteDIY Ideas
Beautiful linens!
ReplyDeleteI can see you so enjoy your ironing Jacqueline and that white linen is so beautiful. I think it would be quite difficult to part with it.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am never too disappointed when I have to keep some of the pieces because they just aren't perfect enough to sale. You found some definite winners xo Laura
ReplyDeletei love to iron, and with pretties like these, i could iron all day! love the doilies, esp!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
ReplyDeleteYour linens are gorgeous. I think it is great you love to iron and make your pretty linens looks so nice.
Have a great start to the week.
Kris
Jacqueline, only you (and your ironing table) can make everything old new again. I'm glad you added that "wink, wink" in there, as no one would ever believe that you were upset to have to keep something! Who would be? So pretty and I can understand your feelings of great accomplishment..Happy Weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful linens, Jacqueline. I love the soft mint tablecloth. I know you have posted your recommendations for cleaning/soaking stained linens. I wanted to do a search for this post, but there isn't a search bar. Would you provide a link to that post, or perhaps a tab or search? Love your posts, they always are a pleasure. Patty/NS
ReplyDeleteWhat did you use for the soaking...going to a vintage show today and hoping to find something pretty to bring home! Love that mint green tablecloth...so nice!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, I especially love the doilies. They are just beautiful. I would also like to know what you use for soaking. Dianne
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteYou are making me green with envy seeing all these lovely pieces that you've found.
I too enjoy ironing newly found pieces and the monogram ones are always my favorite. Thank you for a lovely post.
hugs
Sissie
My mom would spend what seemed like hours at the ironing board in the living room while we played. Your post brought back so many memories. And as always, your finds are lovely!
ReplyDeleteKari
Hi Girl!
ReplyDeleteTIP !!!.......
I often have come across my family linens and age alone with bring on stains in them like previous infant clothing that is stored. I am not sure if you have any grass that is growing with enough watering to it. But to launder linens getting them as naturally white as can be and stain free is the early wet grass and laying your fresh washed linens out on the grass spread out to create an acid like drying. It's a combination of the damp grass along with dry grasses nice and green against the linens during drying time that will whiten and brighten the toughest of stains and discoloration of aged linens no matter how old they are.
My French side of the family did this regularly, and noting works better.
As for the whole I never mind old linens and there wear, if to bad I then cut them up and sew them to other treasured pieces, or leave the tattered wear and sew them into a holiday stocking, the wear is divinely authentic.
My grandmother steamed never pressed the linen leaving the grain to stand up and the texture is not flattened. The beauty in the mild press is timeless.
You are the queen of linens, I have lately been on the hunt for more linens, some of what you inspire when I make a visit to you :)
See you soon and all your beauty.
PS. You can google whitening your linens on grass, you will come up with new and historical research.
Xx
Dore
Darn that spell check...
ReplyDeleteI meant to say I never mind the HOLES I them not the wholes :)
Xx
Dore
These are gorgeous, Jacqueline. I have thought of making a bunting with the few special pieces that I have, but just can't bring myself to cut them up!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely, lovely... as always.
xo,
Lin
Hi J,
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing your newest (and the goodies in reserve) linens. Pretty new finds! Love those butterflies... and the mint tablecloth! A bunting sounds delightful!
Hugs,
B
Love the linen texture of the pillowcases. Love the mint in the table cloth. I often use damaged linens anyway, because the fabrics, textures, and sometimes colors are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOnly you could make ironing look like fun, Jacqueline, but who wouldn't have fun pressing up such pretties? You found some sweet little treasures here, even if you do have to keep a few :) I just love the feel and drape of linen - my favorite fabric for blouses. So cool on a hot day. Enjoy your lovely finds! xo Karen
ReplyDeleteYou're going to laugh but I hate to iron! I will let you in on a little secret......I will iron old linens! lol
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of them and just beam while I am ironing them!
Now, pinky swear you won't tell anyone my secret! I know its safe with you.
Yours are beautiful......Love the mint and roses tablecloth! If only linens could talk! I wonder what secrets they would tell us!
Blessings My Friend,
I really like old linens and lace.... such a shame that so many people don't appreciate them anymore.... except that they sell them cheap to people like us. :) Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteThe two pieces you got to keep are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Sherry