Vintage Pillowcases and How to Repurpose!
Welcome to the world of vintage embroidery and crochet lace pillowcases!
Do you have a few vintage pillowcases tucked away in the linen closet just waiting to be given new life?
If so, today is your lucky day because we've got an easy way to put them back into circulation! Not only can you add unique charm to any room with these treasured creations, they make great gifts too!
From peacocks to monograms, flowers to animals, these delicately detailed pillowcases are making a comeback in a big way.
Whether you are an embroidery enthusiast or simply admire the beauty of vintage needlework, these pillowcases make a wonderful addition to your home.
And…in addition to their beauty…antique pillowcases are longer than modern-day counterparts, ensuring that you don't wake up with pesky embroidery imprints on your face!
Where to find them
If you don’t happen to have a stack of your grandmother’s linens hanging around in your closet…don’t worry…they are often found at tag sales, estate sales, and thrift stores.
Look for colors and patterns that speak to you…
…and check their condition…look for holes, stains, and yellowing that might be a washing issue. Don’t let any of these things discourage you though! Holes may be repaired with a few stitches or covered with a cute appliqué….
…and I have some helpful hints to brighten and remove stains!
How to Wash and BrightenVintage Linens
Over time, linens may develop yellowing (caused by oils caught in the fibers) and stains from being stored in less than ideal conditions.
Do not fret, I tested this cleaning method with good success! Several of our pillowcases were yellowed and had small rust stains. I was skeptical but tried this anyway!
Place a cup of OxiClean in your sink and fill it with hot water. Spray heavy stains with MaxForce and then soak linens until the water cools. Agitate the linens for several minutes (this is an important step!… those old washboards actually had a purpose!) and then let them soak for another hour before rinsing. Check the results…you may have to repeat this process a few times. I repeated this three times and the rust spots came out! Be patient! You can even let them soak overnight. It’s worth the time!
Once you're satisfied the stains are gone, hang dry them if possible, preferably in the sun to encourage additional whitening. Note: I put mine in the dryer because it was raining!
To iron or not to iron…that is the question!
As for ironing, it's up to you! But, if you choose to iron, don't wait for them to be completely dry. Instead, press when they are still a little damp and you'll be able to get beautiful crisp results without a lot of effort. If they have embroidery, press them face down on a towel to protect the stitching.
Fun Fact: My grandmother ironed all of her sheets and pillowcases on a machine called a mangle. It was stored in their basement and fascinated me when I was a kid! No one has time for that anymore but I sure do miss those crisp air dried ironed sheets!
Crochet and Tatted Lace
Can we just take a minute and talk about lace?! Wow! Part of the charm and beauty of these creations is the hand crocheted or tatted lace. I remember my grandmother sitting in her chair crocheting lace for hours.
Crochet lace
Crochet lace is made with a hook and tatted lace is made with a small shuttle. Sometimes its hard to tell the different but tatting is tighter than crochet lace.
Tatted lace shown in the back
How to Repurpose Pillowcases
In some cases, stubborn stains may remain in the fabric and this is where your creativity can come in handy. Don’t be afraid to cut them apart and use the lace and embroidery in different ways!
Here are some ideas to get your creativity started!
Glasses case
Liner for a picnic basket
Grocery bag
Placemat
Jeans detail
Apron detail
Gift bag with a ribbon
Frame them
Button covers
Shoe bag for travel
Add to a quilt
Zipper bag
Pillow
Needle case
Wine bottle bag
Greeting cards
They can also be used in a variety of creative ways around your home. For instance, you can simply drape them over the back of a chair to add a touch of vintage charm to your living room. Layer them for extra interest!
Or, turn them inside out and use them as basket liners to add a handmade decorative touch to your storage containers. Vintage pillowcases usually do not have side seams so turning them inside out is not a problem!
Another way to use vintage pillowcases…guest towels!
You can easily cut them to size, stitch the two layers together, and then add a simple top stitch around the perimeter. Roll them up and display them in a basket or place them in your guest bathroom for a beautiful, eco-friendly towel.
If you're looking for an added touch of elegance and nostalgia, you can even use them as a decoration on your serving tray. The possibilities are endless with these versatile pieces of vintage décor.
We hope you have been inspired to shake the dust off these beautiful heirlooms and give them new life! There are sooo many possibilities for repurposing.
When it comes to hunting and crafting vintage materials, creativity is the key!
Who knows…you may even find some “never been used” pieces with the tags still attached!
Most importantly though - have fun! Who knows what sort of amazing creations and memories you will come up with along the way?
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know how you are using linens in your home decor in the comments below!
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