from Pinterest

I have this serious problem with vintage fabric, and tablecloths is the worst one of all. Seriously girlfriends, I am totally in love with great mid-century screen printed, and made in the USA tablecloths. This week I found several at the local thrift store. I stopped by on Thursday, early afternoon, just as they were putting out the new stuff. The hunt is on...and checking out the carts and racks before the stuff is put out is where the great stuff is...before anyone else has had a chance!  So, OK, there is this cart with fabric wrapped around 2 long cardboard rolls, hum, what is this? I pick one up and unroll it a little.........hum, looks like vintage fabric, it is hemmed, strange enough...I completely removed it..........and...........a vintage tablecloth, and there is another cardboard roll. The same thing..............only there are several tablecloths on the roll.  I think that I have found several tablecloths, still new on the roll. Of course, with my addiction, I have to purchase them.  When I get outside to my car, I take a minute to fully look at them. There are 4 total. All were unique, and each mainly floral. Not new, as the tags were tattered. The fabric was in great shape, good color, no holes, rips, and a few spots.  I have chanced upon another woman's collection, lovingly cared for by putting them on the cardboard rolls. This method keeps the fabric from having fold lines, were deterioration occurs. I put them on display with others, in the kitchen area, to enjoy for a while.

Vintage Surfing Tablecloth

You probably know that I love vintage tablecloths and other textiles. These items are very attractive to me, and much so when they are made in the USA 70 years ago. They do survive, and I find them from time to time in thrift stores. My Sis took me to an out of the way store in a very small town. My eye's are always looking for this kind of thing...they are well trained. This cloth is small, about a 36" square. My friend Debbie has her trailer decorated in a Tiki theme, and this is perfect for her....next time I see her she is going to get this one. I owe her an I'm sorry gift (for something I accidentally broke).

Vintage Startex Butterfly Towel

Vintage Startex Butterfly Tea Towel

Yesterday was the one day each year when there is a big outdoor antique sale in this area. Coburg Antique Faire. I went late in the day, and spent only two hours. I saw a friend at the sale, she said that she had been there 6 hours and was still at it...she had her shopping hand cart full of purchases. So much stuff, prices were higher than expected....but maybe I could bargain a dealer down a little at the end of the day...as they were tired and starting to pack up their stock. I was lucky, and found a dealer who was ready to head home. She said that she would make deep discounts....hum, I thought I will see. I picked out a few vintage fabric screen print items, and asked her for a price....OK, $2 each. Sold! I will use them in Prairie Flower. I had been there long enough, and was not feeling well from Shingles...so I headed toward the parking shuttle. I again saw my friend, and she had even more stuff. She sure has a love for the search...and find.

Update on Shingles, it has spread all over the upper right side, my neck, upper shoulder, upper chest. I have a painful right ear, and it feels like an infection...back to the Dr.

Hanger Covers

I posted about using vintage items to create fun hanger covers. I had 2 of these pillowcases that I purchased for 50 cents.  I also have several of the old wooden clothes hangers. It was raining very hard all last week, so I crafted quite a bit. I am putting these in Prairie Flower to use. The nice thing about the cotton covers is that your tops stay on the hangers and don't slide off like they do on plastic hangers.

I used an old embroidered and crocheted edge tablecloth as a cutter. It was in pretty bad shape, stains and hand work coming out. I used the best half to make a double faced window covering for the trailer. That means that the floral fabric faces to the inside of the trailer, and that the vintage tablecloth faces the exterior. It worked out well, and the sun will not be a fading problem on the interior.

Using Vintage Linens - Embroidered Hanger Covers

I bring to you an idea for using a little of my vintage linen stash. I purchase vintage embroidery, because it is still pretty inexpensive and I love the beauty. I also do not want to take hours of hand work needed to do it myself. These lovely hanger covers were re-purposed. These may have been made from pillowcases.  These will make a friend happy to receive as a gift. The special items that touch a woman's heart...lovely.

Vintage California Hand Prints Tablecloth

Photos from Ebay Listing

Sis and I went on a small junking trip yesterday, we only went to 2 stores. I purchased this great tablecloth at Goodwill for $3.50. I have a love of vintage textiles, especially vintage print tablecloths. I  like bright colored ones. This one has a tag on it still. It is a California Hand Print. The age is probably 1950's, guessing from the design. I did a little research online. It is said to be hard to find...I don't know...really. It has a few spots to be removed and a tiny hole along the edge. I will use it for the Dutch Oven cooking potlucks, to put on a picnic table. I love it get compliments on these fun vintage finds.