White Linens on White Wednesday

I collect all kinds of things, as you have probably noticed, lol, but my favourites have to be linens, antique French linens in particular. So for today's White Wednesday post, I pulled out just a few bits from my collection.

To start with though, a couple of English tablecloths. I adore the deep crocheted edgings, corners and insets, and can't imagine how many hours it must have taken someone to create these -


A set of beautifully embroidered English tablemats, can you imagine your fine porcellain plates and silver cutlery on these? -



Onto some French bits. From the very large, like this fabulous monogrammed and embroidered linen sheet -


and beautifully handembroidered bed pillow covers -


to this charming little handkerchief holder -


Talking about size, you probably know that the 19th/early 20th Century French serviettes/napkins are huge, and I mean HUGE. Of course, they are all embroidered with a monogram, and usually linen or cotton damask. I adore them, and I use them all the time when we are in France. I am so lucky to have some sets of 12 matching napkins, they are soooo difficult to find these days -


And then there are, of course, the beautiful garments, undergarments and nightdresses. Here are just a couple of pieces. A finely embroidered and monogrammed nightdress -


and one of my all time favourite pieces, a little 19th C. top, with the most amazing handmade broderie anglaise -


I had to severely restrict myself to photographing just a few items, I could have gone on for hours and hours and photographed hundreds of pieces. Errrmm, I HAVE been collecting for a very long time though.

Now, if you a few more minutes to spare, hop over to the wonderful Faded Charm blog, and visit some of the other beautiful White Wednesday posts.