There are a lot of people who collect vintage linens.  It’s hard to imagine in today’s time that at one point, no self-respecting young lady reached marrying age without a hope chest full of linens that she and her mom had been collecting for her home to come. Often embroidering the linens themselves.  It was a part of the young lady’s dowry to have a chest full of linens to enter her marriage with.  From tea towels and dinner napkins to embroidered sheets, pillowcases and coverlets, these linens were made from exquisite Irish linen, Eastern European damasks and fine Italian needlework.  Wealthy families may have purchased them on trips around the world but even the working classes would follow this tradition.

You can find vintage linens today in a multitude of places - garage and tag sales, antique shops, flea markets and sometimes in one’s own attic or grandmother’s linen closet.  Sometimes you will find museum quality linens and other times not but we’ve found they’re all beautiful in their own way.  Many are reflective of a time when needlework was treasured and the tiniest of details were included.  We often don’t take the time to produce such quality now and even rarer would it be produced by hand.  Cutwork, embroidery and tatted lace edging was common place.  A simple intricate design on a guest towel could take hours to produce. Quilts were made with intricate patterns pieced together from fabric scraps and outgrown clothing.  I personally have a quilt made from the sample book for men’s wool suits.  Some distant relative thought these wool fabric samples were too precious to waste when the sample book was discontinued.  The pieces are carefully sewn together with a bright red crewel stitch and I must admit it is the warmest blanket in the house!

Unfortunately vintage linens are often stained or yellowed and it takes careful laundering to return them to their formal glory.  You can actually get rid of these stubborn yellow stains but it will take time and effort.  Good Housekeeping has a great guide on How to Revive Vintage Linens.  Light, dirt, fluctuating humidity and pests can all cause damage to textiles.  It will pay to learn how to properly store your linens to protect them from damage.  The Institute of Conservation in an article entitled Care and Conservation of Costume and Textiles.  There are businesses who will work on cleaning and repairing your linens for you as well.   The Laundry at Linens Limited is one such place who has been caring for fine linens for over 50 years. 

You can still purchase textiles today of fine quality and workmanship. If you care for them properly and store them well, you’ll be passing them down to your grandchildren and they will be antique, vintage linens one day.