September 29, 2012

Dyeing old linens


I have a trunk full of old linens from my mother and my aunt, both of whom delightedly abandoned linen for permanent press.  I have pulled several tablecloths and sets of napkins that I use from time to time for special occasions (and that I can easily iron with the mangle that I also acquired from my mother), but that still leaves me with lots of linens.  This week I got up the courage to try dyeing some of them--they seem so precious, but surely it's better to do something that may give them a new life, rather than just leave them in the trunk in the basement.  The photo shows three different linen napkins on the right, compared to pfd cotton on the far left.  A little lighter in value than the intended color, but that's fine.  Now to consider how I might use the linen.  It is so beautifully soft.

4 comments:

  1. I love dyeing old linens. I have a friend that picks them up for me at thrift shops. Every time I make new placemats I dye some napkins to match. I will not use white ones but once they are a color I don't mind using them!

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  2. Very modern!

    Cookie

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