No sooner had I walked into a local antiques centre at the weekend, I spotted an embroidered tablecloth. It was love at first sight. Now, I know and my husband knows and I have a feeling you my dear readers know, that I have at least a dozen embroidered tablecloths. But I couldn't leave this tablecloth all scrunched up on a shelf... this is the queen of all tablecloths.
Hope you have a bright creative week x
PS A few readers have asked me about cleaning vintage linens and how to get stains out... boy oh boy, I am useless at stain removal and all things laundry related! If any of you dear readers do have a good tip on stain removal for embroidered and vintagey linens I would love to hear about it.
My techniques consist of using washing liquid and cold water so as not to set a fresh stain and then washing on the delicate cycle. I have bought tablecloths with stains already set in them and I have not had much joy in getting rid of these old stains. It doesn't bother me too much, as they are working tablecloths after all... x
I don't have the addiction to vintage that you have, but I admit I would have been hard pressed to leave that glorious table cloth on the shelf. Great find, don't let that one go!
ReplyDeletexXx Helen
That is indeed a lovely tablecloth! Good idea that you're thinking of.
ReplyDeleteAnd the crocus field - beautiful.
This is such a beautiful embroidered tablecloth! I always feel so bad seeing tablecloths people worked hard on crumpled up at a thrift store. However, I never buy them since they would see the linen closet more than the table in our house so it really doesn't solve anything if I buy it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the etsy shop is a great idea! I'd love to read you blog about it if you decide to do it! I have been thinking about opening an etsy shop maybe at the end of the year so I'd love to read about the process and your experiences!
Have a nice week!
that tablecloth is an absolute treasure..
ReplyDeleteThat's just stunning! Can you have too many tablecloths!? Nah! Don't fink so! :D
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely tablecloth!It's truly gorgeous!! I have some embroidered tablecloths but never used them as I feel that they will get dirty and I won't be able to get rid of the stains, which will be heartbreaking. What do you do? Do you used them? As I don't use them, I never see them or enjoy them and then I feel, what is the point in getting them? Things are there to be used!! Do you know a good way of getting rid of the stains? x Pati
ReplyDeleteI only know to rinse a fresh stain with cold water so the stain doesn't set and then wash the linen as normal... I don't have much luck with old stains. I have asked readers if they have any tips, so it might be an idea to pop back later in the week x
DeleteWow she realy is the queen of tablecloth!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!!!!!!!
Your tablecloth is so beautiful. What a great find!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous find!
ReplyDeleteI think opening a vintage etsy shop or stall sounds like a great idea- and if it means you have an excuse to keep shopping, then why not?!
Have a great week.
X
Nice find! :) you should get here sometime... there are many things you'd love in some of our markets! :) XXX
ReplyDeleteAnd the Etsy shop sounds like a wonderful idea! :)
DeleteLovely table cloth- and such a lot of embroidery- it deserves a good home!
ReplyDeletelovely lovely.. and a lot of work to make...
ReplyDeleteAlways a bit sad when you see such a beautiful thing in a charity shop.. Imagine all those hours spent and then one day it's just given away. Still their loss is your gain isn't it? I never seem to find things like that though I am always on the look out. I would love an old fashioned eiderdown like my grandma had, but would have to sell a kidney to be able to afford the ones I do come across. Still I remain hopeful..... Have a lovely week. Dev x
ReplyDeletebeautifull:)
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful.
ReplyDeleteKisse.
That is a beautiful tablecloth and, even if you had 10 dozen others it would've still been impossible to leave behind.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at the Thrifty Mrs blog for tips on cleaning vintage linens. Lemon juice and sunlight, I seem to remember.
That really is the Queen, King and Jack of all embroidered tablecloths, really stunning. Definitely a 'keeper'.
ReplyDeleteCarol xx
What a beauty! I too feel sad knowing that someone spent so many hours and love making this and their offspring just threw it away!Anyway I don't usually have formal dinners often so I just put any tablecloth I like on the dining table to see and enjoy it. And when a stain does not go away I simply put a vase or a little decorative dish on top. Beautiful things are to be enjoyed!AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in China I found the most beautifully embroidered tablecloths for sale in a stall on the street. They were sooooooo cheap! I bought a lot of them to give as gifts. Reading this post reminds me that I haven't been using them on my table. I think I'm always afraid of them getting stained by one of the kids who might choose to make a sandwich on top of them. My mother covers hers with a plastic liner, but I can't bring myself to do that.
ReplyDeleteOh, the hours and hours that must have taken someone to create. I'm glad it found just the right home with you!
ReplyDeleteWow that is beautiful just imagin the hours of work that put into making it. Good look with the etsy shop ;-) dee x
ReplyDeleteIt sure is beautiful. Of course you couldn't leave it all alone on the shelve!
ReplyDeleteWOW WAS A BEAUTIFUL TABLE CLOTH...SO BRITE LOVE ALL THE PRETTY FLOWERS...
ReplyDeleteOh my, that embroidery is exquisite!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You certainly did find the Queen of Embroidered Tablecloths!!! It's stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI also think your business plan is sound and you should go forward with it!! The fact that I will be able to have pretty things from you in no way influences my advice!! (Much!!) :)
That is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous find! I always use Oxi-clean to remove stains, even on old things, and I've had pretty good luck with it. Just make a paste with the powder and a little water and scrub it gently into the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes before washing. Or just soak it in the bathroom sink with a scoop of Oxi mixed in--hot water is okay, just don't put it in a hot dryer. Let it soak a long time, overnight if you can manage it. Then wash as usual (cold water, very low agitation), and if the stain is gone, pop it in the dryer. If it seems like a very delicate piece, you may want to hand wash and line dry, but it's usually fine to put it in the machine. It'll need a good pressing afterwards, but that's the fun part!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to buy some Oxi clean... thank you for the tips!
DeleteI have many embroidered tablecloths that my aunt in Europe made and use Oxi Clean to wash them and hang them out to dry. Sometimes the embroidery thread bleeds and when this happens I just wait till it's dry and dip a cotton swab in Oxi Clean and dab the stain. Remember to put a cloth on the other side to catch the stain. Salt sprinkled on a fresh stain will also work, I know it gets red wine out, then just wash as usual. Your tablecloths are really beautiful and unique.
DeleteOxi clean is good. But if it is in a white area try slicing a lemon in half and scrubbing the stain with it. Set it out in the sun for a few hours then wash. Hang to dry if the stain does not come out and try another idea. Another idea is soak stain in white vinegar then use a tooth brush to scrub baking soda into it.
ReplyDeletethank you for those tips... I will try them on one of my tablecloths.
DeleteWell, your vintage tablecloth is a wonderful find. The embroidery design, colors and stitching are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteI predict that your shop will be a success.
I'm also enjoying reading the comments re stains and careful washing of vintage linens.
Thank you also for your sweet comment. It was such a pleasure to take those photos. xo
Oh wow that certainly is the queen of tablecloths! What a truly wonderful find!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! It would have gone home with me if I had been there too!
ReplyDeleteOH! What a wonderful tablecloth. When I see this embroderies I remember my grandma
ReplyDeleteGreat tips regarding cleaning!! I think I will definitely use mine more..... Thanks, Pati xx
ReplyDeleteI think you have a healthy addiction.....the table cloth is beautiful. I use Oxi-clean but it comes in a gel stik and I have even gotten stains out that were set in by a dryer, I use it all the time as I have a problem with dropping food on my shirts. I really can't understand why.....Anywho I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Misty and Pets
Wow, what a beautiful table cloth, lucky you. x
ReplyDeleteYour tablecloth brings back memories of when my Mother used to embroider her tablecloths and cushion covers and table runners. I can still see her transferring the ink pattern on to the linen with the iron!Unfortunately, when they became 'old fashioned' she gave the lot away!
ReplyDeleteI found you through Matt's blog and noticed your comment about coned wool. It's mostly used by machine-knitters so a good machine-knitting wool shop ought to have a great selection. Or try Ravelry, lots of folks on there sell it too. Good Luck and glad I came by, your blog is very inspirational.Good Weekend to you.
Thank you very much for your kind words and advice on the yarn... I will have a look online to see what is available x
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