Vintage Upcycled Bunting

Recycled antique tablecloths and linens

 As I have already mentioned previously, I started SewforSoul after reading an article about blogging in a copy of 'Style at Home' magazine.  Well not long after this original post, I received an email from one of their editors asking if I would contribute a couple of tiny bits for their April edition, as they had been let down at the last minute by someone else.  They actually needed my contributions the same day as the final proof had to be sent to the printers that afternoon!   Now this particular Monday was already a busy day for us - My sister and her husband had been up for the weekend and we had a table for lunch booked, Mr Larkin's publishers had asked him for a couple of changes to something he has in the pipeline, I also needed to book flights for eight and finally I was due into school that evening.

Anyway I happily obliged and one of the items they used was my suggestion for making an antique style garland for summer using recycled vintage linens. Now, I love bunting and when I can use the most gorgeous hand embroidered table and tray cloths, which could easily be about a hundred years old, then it really makes  my heart sing!  The Edwardian tablecloth I repurposed for this batch had huge holes in the middle, the most used area on a table, and partly disintegrated in the wash!  However, careful cutting and application of iron-on interfacing meant I had more than enough to use.

At this point I should point out that the published photo of me is about ten years old. However, they needed one of me by myself and like all Mums the only other pictures I'm in also feature the children.  It seems rather egotistical to ask someone to take snaps of just me, but I might have to add this to my 'to do' list!

 I am in awe of the quality of the hand embroidery and the sheer number of hours which must have originally gone into producing such amazing works of beauty.  It is so sad to think that many of these linens now end up chucked unceremoniously into the bin.  I just get such a sense of satisfaction every time I find one and save it from this fate.  If the recycled bunting also does another 100 years then that is a pretty mind-boggling thought - 200 years of sewing history in a household item!

It seems I'm not the only one in love with vintage linen as this project was also featured in the July 2013 issue of Reloved Magazine.

The sharp eyed amongst you might also have spotted my Beano Decoupage Table on the contents page - Reloved Magazine featured two of my makes in their July issue!

Ready to be stitched onto tape

All finished

The edge of the lawn looks pretty dry, but hey it's summer (At last!)

Keep an eye out for similar old linens and create your own new heirloom xx