Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Turn your Vintage Linens into Linen Pillows...




You must have a little stash of Grandma's embroidered, 
or damask linens you don't know what to do with...


Embroidered, monogrammed, or just linen napkins?



Don't we all have a few stacks of those just sitting in a drawer somewhere?


Perhaps, you have linen cabinets full ~ like I do? 
(Sssshhhh, don't tell anyone I'm a hoarder...) 



Maybe, you just like soft, luxurious things and you're cheap like me and bring them home from the thrift stores for pennies?


Maybe, you want to figure out something to do with them, to use them more?



They are easy to turn into pillows. You could just turn them inside out and sew the edges together, or put a couple of linen napkins together and sew them, or just crochet around the edges of a couple of table cloths... 

You could use lace, vintage trim, crocheted edging, it doesn't matter. Turning them into pillows will give them a new life. It also gives your bedrooms some high dollar bling~!


This beautiful embroidered table cloth only cost me $1...

I just folded it in half and crocheted around the edges, stuffing it before the stitching was complete. The stuffing is actually out of an old hotel pillow I picked up in bulk for $2 each. I just bring them home and let them soak in hot water and bleach overnight and then finish drying. That's way cheaper than the stuffing from the store. The crocheted cotton I picked up at another thrift shop for a $0.25. There was enough on the skein to complete the project bringing the cost of this linen embroidered pillow to $3.25 and an evening's time crocheting on the trim.


What a wonderful way to enjoy all of those old linens you have stored away - 
Cheaper than any throw pillow from Walmart, or any homegoods type of store in a strip mall, don't you think?


I can't even imagine what a large size, hand embroidered linen pillow would cost brand new, can you?


Using your vintage linens give everything an old, worn, timeless look, I think...


Don't hurt yourself running for your Cedar Chest to see what you can repurpose for the 
'Guest Room'...

(=

Linked to: 

20 comments:

  1. Wow! You don't let any grass grow under your feet, do you? :-)) Your pillows are gorgeous!!! Unfortunately, I don't sew or crochet or knit. I do love old linens, the quality is so much better than anything made now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure not getting any younger. And, I hate TV, so I have to do something to entertain myself. Plus, I crochet fast, so it was no big deal. It made a great pillow as a re-use. The old linens are of exceptional quality. They will last forever as a pillow...
      (=

      Delete
  2. Love the way you have regenerated.
    Lots of blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a wonderful reuse of fun items.
      Thanks for stopping by~!
      (=

      Delete
  3. Absolutely beautiful -- and a smart way to repurpose beautiful old linens that aren't being used. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have some beautiful old linens to repurpose and reuse.
      I would much rather look at them and pet them, than keep them tucked away. Of course, I have quite a collection (good heavens, a huge collection) I'll reuse them all someday~!
      Have a Great Weekend~~~

      Delete
  4. It's funny today on my "I've got to get organized list" was to go through my vintage linens. As I went through them I pulled out ones that were stained or had holes in them, and put them in a pile to upcycle them. Then I stumbled on your blog and this post which has inspired me more. I also found a huge bag of crochet cotton. I think these pillows are calling my name! Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope they turn out beautiful~!
      Oh those holy stained ones make great 'cutter' pieces for quilts and aprons and such.
      Please do share what you create...
      (=

      Delete
  5. Jen, we are on a similar page my friend. I have been making hearts out of my old linens. Your pillows are absolutely gorgeous! Now I just need to learn how to crochet around the edge. lol! Haven't done it since my mutual days. I actually tried once when I was first married and I did it way too tight. Maybe I'd be a bit looser now. Hee-hee! I always pick up linens at estate sales. I was not fortunate to get any from grandma's. They had all passed before I was born. Do have some from my sweet Aunt Viola and I found a tablecloth at D.I. last week for only $1. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jann~!
      I am so glad the prices are finally starting to level off at our favorite thrift store - he, he...
      Down here, they started to get kind of steep and pricey. Now, they seem to be coming back down yay!
      You just can't find any fabric for $1... As far as crocheting, I must thank my childhood mutual teach for teaching me. It really is an awesome talent to have and sure entertains me because I detest TV...
      (=

      Delete
  6. Jen, I forgot I wanted to ask you. What program did you use to get your sweet banner that you have your title in?
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found the cute banners on Pic Monkey -
      In the free edition of 'Pic Monkey' - over on the left there is a link that's titled "overlays".
      There is a link under Overlays called "Engraved Banners" - but, there's a lot of other choices too.
      When you choose what one you want and it places it on your picture, you can move it around and make it larger and smaller. You can also change the color of it in the overlay pop up that comes up on the screen, usually on the right hand side of your picture...
      I can't wait to see what you do with it. Pic Monkey is a fun editing program to play with.
      Hope this explains it...
      (=

      Delete
    2. Oh Jann - forgot to tell ya - lol
      In that program, once you get your banner on your picture, you have to then go back and choose the text link to add text to it - it's kind of a double duty kind of thing to do - it takes two steps to accomplish... *wink*
      Have a Great Weekend~!

      Delete
  7. Jen, thanks so much! I use Picmonkey for collages and editing some photos so I actually understand your instructions. lol! I loved it and will trying it. Also wanted to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Awesome Jann ~
      I love your blog and to be featured on it is a treat~!
      Thank you for making me feel special this week...
      (=

      Delete
  8. Awww . . . SO beautiful! I only wish I still had some of the vintage linens that my mother once had. Thanks for sharing. Found you over at Jann's place.
    Blessings,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  9. Would love you to showcase that beautiful brown lace in the last pic! Is it a bedspread? Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, with some of these vintage / antique crocheted pieces, it's hard to tell. I don't think it's a full bedspread and it's not a table cloth - too big. I believe, it's probably a throw... I have a whole linen cabinet full of these big, vintage beauty's I'll have to showcase soon...
      (=

      Delete
  10. The neck is one of the most sensitive areas of the body. That's why it is so important to choose the right pillow, which not only has to adapt to the mattress, but also to our sleeping position. Both of this is needed to avoid neck pain. best pillow in india

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments...
I love to hear from you~!
=)