Hell's bells and buckets of blood, as my Mum would say. Much as I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and in the joys of free speech, I can't help but think that in comparison to some of the terrible things that happen in this life (of which I have had a fair helping), cutting up a few worn-out table linens is hardly something worth getting het up about. I mean, when it comes down to it, the loss of the wholeness of a tablecloth is hardly a tragedy. I'm not being flippant here, I am being deadly serious.
Anyway. I felt it wouldn't be fair not to show you what I'm making. I took out as many small areas of good quality, long-lasting stitching as possible from a number of old tablecloths, tray covers and assorted small pieces. I spent ages (years) thinking about how to use my 'touchable' tablecloths so as to revitalise the lovely stitching that went into them. I'd thought of a quilt top made up of irregular squares and rectangles, cut to frame the stitching I want to show, but kept wilting at the thought of dealing with a jigsaw of pieces. Then I saw sense, and realised that it would all be much easier if I stuck to one size of square, and cut out the best bits to fit into it. I decided a 6" x 6" square was a good finished size, so cut out about ninety 6.5" x 6.5" squares and laid them out. In the end, the top is 8 squares across and 10 squares down, and I spent some time arranging the squares so that there aren't whole processions of crinoline ladies along certain rows, or too many pieces from a single cloth too close together.
What I've ended up with is something like a densely stitched tablecloth (it reminds me of children's illustrated book pages) which will give anyone who is bored and sitting under it something to look at for ages and ages. Because there are crinoline ladies, dogs, chimneys, a Welsh lady and a mountain, sprays and posies, baskets and lattice-work, hollyhocks and herbaceous borders, French knots, lazy daisies, button-hole stitch, stem stitch, and all sorts of daintiness and colour. It isn't finished yet; I am still pondering a border (or maybe not), and I need to make a back. I won't quilt it because there is quite enough stitching on there already, so it will be tied with different colours of thread.
There are lots of liberated crinoline ladies in there. That may sound like a contradiction in terms, crinolines being the work of the devil and all that, but I have to say they do look good in their new garden surroundings. (The photo above makes it look as though I'm also wearing a crinoline. Sorry to disappoint, but that's just my dress.)
Added: An omission. I forgot both yesterday and earlier today to say that Hen and Harriet do lovely things with vintage embroideries (and fabrics).
What can I say? Totally brilliant! Love it and admire those crinoline ladies enormously. I think I may have embroidered some myself back in the day....over half a century ago! On traycloths, would you believe? We had such things in those Olden Days....
Posted by: adele geras | July 05, 2011 at 12:33
I think it's amazing!!!!!
Posted by: Dianne | July 05, 2011 at 12:42
Oh Jane, it's is totally, utterly stunning. If I am honest this piece of work strikes a chord within me: the colours, the feminine theme... I love it.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 05, 2011 at 12:45
Years ago in New York I visited a shop called Plain Jane (I think) where the goods were made from recycled embroidered goods. They were charming as is your quilt. What's wrong with giving used goods new life?
Posted by: Lisa O'Neill | July 05, 2011 at 12:55
I love these vintage embroidered cloths and have incorporated them into quilts and cushions with other vintage/modern/Liberty fabrics and they look fab, as does your quilt in all its glory. I am intrigued by the comment about crinolines and the devil...
Hen x
Posted by: Hen | July 05, 2011 at 12:56
Jane--this is absolutely beautiful and truly honours the work of the past.
Posted by: Kitty Dooly Bourne | July 05, 2011 at 12:58
Just stunning.
Posted by: Sue Nagle | July 05, 2011 at 12:59
It's gorgeous! I want to rush out and start collecting myself! I must admit a couple years ago when I first saw cut up embroideries I was horrified, but the more I thought about it the more it made sense, I gave it a go on a very small scale and now I think it's particularly inspired repurposing. Sure there are some items that definitely shouldn't be cut up, but there are so many stained, torn or faded pieces out there that can have a second life. I'm sure your crinoline ladies are enjoying themselves enormously. I love how they're mixed with the flowers, like a gigantic garden tea party. Really really gorgeous.
Posted by: Jacqui | July 05, 2011 at 13:00
What a great idea - rather see them used in a project than just stored or at worst thrown away because they are damaged :)
Posted by: VintageVicki | July 05, 2011 at 13:17
Beautiful. You are very inspiring. x
Posted by: Victoria | July 05, 2011 at 13:19
It is beautiful, how wonderful to create something so lovely from old things. Judith x
And your first comment is from Adele Geras! How fantastic is that?
Posted by: A Trifle Rushed | July 05, 2011 at 13:24
You sure make old table clothes sound and look FUN. Will need to file this idea away for USE one of these days. I too save old linens and you know that stain here and that hole there just make them old... but a new cloth with the best parts is wonderful. Dreaming of the space in the drawers when there is one cloth and eight gone.....
Posted by: Susan | July 05, 2011 at 13:29
Absolutely lovely! The original embroiderers would be so proud!
Posted by: Susan M. | July 05, 2011 at 13:34
That is really lovely and a fine use for old linens that are long past their "use by" date. It will be so much fun to look at each of those blocks and admire them, wondering about the makers and the users...
Posted by: Suze | July 05, 2011 at 13:36
Beautiful, Jane. Here's to liberation!
Posted by: Fiona | July 05, 2011 at 13:36
I think a border with tiny polka dots would be wonderful! It looks absolutely lovely.
Posted by: Bev | July 05, 2011 at 13:38
Jane, that is one of the loveliest quilt tops I have ever seen - gorgeous!!
S x
Posted by: Sarah | July 05, 2011 at 13:50
What a wonderful second life for the hours of hard work of dozens of anonymous strangers from past decades. The quilt becomes a tribute to them - and a thousand times preferable to ending up in a landfill where most worn linens (embroidered or not) are ultimately destined.
Posted by: Sally, the Fearless Travel Writing Knitter | July 05, 2011 at 13:57
It is absolutely gorgeous!! Thanks for giving us a peek!!!
Posted by: Martha | July 05, 2011 at 14:05
Now that has given me an idea for embroidered patchwork. Lovely, and I see what you mean about children's book illustrations.
Posted by: Sue | July 05, 2011 at 14:08
LouisaRose, I don't agree with your opinion, but rest assured I will fight to the death for your right to hold it and express it. And I have the utmost respect for the way you express yourself, in an intelligent and well-though-out manner, as opposed to most internet disagreements ("OMG ur a nazi I hate you POST!!!"). Well spoken, even if I can't quite get behind it.
Jane, that quilt top is gorgeous! I would be proud, from the great beyond in 200 years, to know that some of my embroidery had become part of such a beautiful piece of handiwork.
Posted by: Julie | July 05, 2011 at 14:12
I am absolutely in love with this project! It is gorgeous & such a fabulous way to "recycle." I often wonder how I will preserve my Grandmother's & Mother's embroidery - I may have a new project on MY hands (someday).... Beautiful!
Posted by: Carrster | July 05, 2011 at 14:13
This is beyond lovely! Makes me want to go back to embroidery! I could do a 6" square or 20.
Posted by: ruth | July 05, 2011 at 14:24
Am I allowed to say, put together, I think they possibly look better than any of the originals, it is beautiful :)
Sue Xxx
Posted by: Crafts@home | July 05, 2011 at 14:26
I absolutely love it! Like you, I've been collecting/rescuing embroidered tablecloths and dresser scarves for years - with no idea what I would do with them -- now I know. I'll give my stitched pretties a new life. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Regina Anne | July 05, 2011 at 14:30
I LOVE this idea! My mother has done this sort of embroidery (fancywork, she calls it) all her life - mainly duchess sets and tray cloths. Things I don't use in my own home. I think this is a beautiful way of repurposing her hours of work to ensure they remain admired and most importantly, used, not packed away in a cupboard.
Posted by: rose red | July 05, 2011 at 14:30
My mother had an antique shop in a town where there were once more antique shops than anywhere else in the country. She had huge respect for the integrity of the pieces she sold and would never dream of repurposing anything. As a teenager I implored her to 'get with it' and start acknowledging that we didn't live in Victorian times anymore. She sadly died before her time and thus didn't see what became of her town. Almost ALL of the antique shops are now closed. The ones that thrive are the ones that incorporate the beautiful things from the past into our way of life and show us how to include beauty in our everyday lives. Whether it's a chest of drawers that gets used every day or a tablecloth that gets repurposed. This quilt top has an energy about it that is liberating. You have breathed new life into something that otherwise would have sat in a cupboard for another 50 years unseen. I call that respect for what all these nameless stitchers (my granny was one too) have created and you can now, literally, wrap yourself in the past. Keep going.
Posted by: Lucy Murphy | July 05, 2011 at 14:30
That is absolutely gorgeous! Oh how I wish I did not just clean out my art room and off load about ten of those stiff, rust spotted, old embroidered cloths, thinking all along, someone else should find these as a treasure and use them as I have not for all these years.
Sheer genuis!
Posted by: Loretta | July 05, 2011 at 14:58
Oh it is so very pretty and for some reason just shouts English summer to me. I think a border would be good, in plain white linen or something chalky, perhaps with a plain white running stitch.
I had to go back and read yesterday's comments, what strong feelings you unleashed with your scissors.
I have to say how glad I am to see something being re-purposed and used rather than hidden away. My mother is an extreme hoarder, over the years so many beautiful things have been tucked away, too good to use, saved for...what?
Time will catch up with all of us, much better to live life to the full, enjoy and take pleasure in the things we have. Yes, some may be worn out or damaged with time but better they have served and been so thoroughly enjoyed than saved for the day that never comes.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 05, 2011 at 15:20
Oh, so pretty! I love what you did with the freed embroidery. :)
Posted by: Beth | July 05, 2011 at 15:20
Lovely! Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Posted by: Brenda | July 05, 2011 at 15:41
Its so pretty -- I love it!
Posted by: Wendy | July 05, 2011 at 16:02
Hi Jane,beautiful work. You have breathed new life into those lovely old treasures, and brought them out to be admired again.
Lovely idea, and a real tribute to the many, many hours of work that originally went into them. :)
Posted by: Erin | July 05, 2011 at 16:57
Ooh. I was hoping for a quilt! What a fabulous way to recycle!
Posted by: Marji | July 05, 2011 at 18:29
Simply beautiful. And so wonderful all the embroidery you've collected over the years can now be appreciated and cherished by yourself and your family rather than tucked away in a cupboard. Hooray for the scissors and for your new quilt!
K x
Posted by: kristina | July 05, 2011 at 18:46
FAB-U-LOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! What a triumph Jane, a feast for the eyes! I think you've put your crinoline ladies to good use. I'm guessing you read Hen's post a while ago, defending herself against the critics of her cutting up vintage table cloths? You were wondering about your border......... would it work with crochet squares? Or even plain cloth hexagons with tiny squares using the tiny embroidered flowers you couldn't use in your bigger squares, or maybe that's a different quilt altogether. What a joy this piece is, I've always thought a quilt made entirely out of embroidery from table cloths would look stunning. Sadly I don't make quilts, and my embroidered table cloth collection is very small. I shall just have to keep on returning to look at your quilt! Love Vanessa xxx
Posted by: do you mind if i knit | July 05, 2011 at 19:04
Hurray for a new life in the country for old traycloths!
I, for one, am keener on your patchwork of embroidered pieces than a drawer of loved, but unseen work. But it's fine to have a debate, so good for Lousia Rose for sticking her two penn'orth in and having the courage to go against the flow with her opinion.
If only we all lived life at a pace that allowed us a morning tray, complete with hand embroidered cloth. Heigh ho.
Posted by: oxslip | July 05, 2011 at 19:06
how beautiful!!
Posted by: Eliz. K | July 05, 2011 at 19:10
Beautiful! And thank you.
Posted by: Harriet | July 05, 2011 at 19:21
What a fun way to resurrect these old tablecloths. And, for what it's worth, weren't they yours to do with as you wished?
Posted by: Pam | July 05, 2011 at 19:53
Love love LOVE! You're really honouring the people who originally made them. Such a great idea!
Posted by: StowmarKate | July 05, 2011 at 20:23
super cute. did you get loads of evil comments yesterday?? honestly life is too short to keep many damaged tablecloths. Having now lived through nine months of earthquakes and aftershocks (8000 of them) we have learned to use the good stuff, repurpose what you can and liberate what you can't.
Posted by: deb | July 05, 2011 at 20:41
How lovely! I have a much smaller collection which accompany mismatched china for afternoon tea, and a few are a bit tea stained. I had thought about jampot covers, but your idea is much nicer1 Am inspired.... where are my scissors?!
Posted by: geraldine | July 05, 2011 at 21:30
I think this must be why you are the one writing the books and we are the ones reading them.
You have all the wonderful ideas and actually act on them!
Betty
Posted by: Betty | July 05, 2011 at 22:50
Great idea, Jane!
One of my friends takes old embroidered linens, cuts them up, and makes very cute appliance covers out of them. She covers the seams with matching bias tape.
Posted by: Juti | July 05, 2011 at 23:14
I love what you have done! A stunning project.
Posted by: Sarahj | July 05, 2011 at 23:27
Brilliant!
Posted by: Penni | July 05, 2011 at 23:33
LouisaRose, I appreciate your wanting to save beautiful examples of women's work, so in that I agree with you. I don't think the millions of embroidered things out there ALL qualify, but I would love it if you would start a gallery or small museum dedicated to women's crafts. Why not?
Jane, I really like the finished result - just curious what fabric you used for the back?
Posted by: patty | July 05, 2011 at 23:53
Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!
Posted by: Judith | July 06, 2011 at 00:21
What a lovely idea looks fabulous. I think you've given me the courage to get out my scissors.I can just see yours as a tablecloth to sit round with friends admiring all the stitching and remembering Mums and Grandmothers. What fun!
Posted by: Merilyn | July 06, 2011 at 02:22