Wednesday 15 June 2011

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.

17 comments:

Tina said...

Who wouldn´t love old french linen. LOVE your pieces Liz. Everything is so pretty. The napkins is to dye for. Yummi.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful day
xo Tina

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Liz,
your linens are to die for:)
Thanks for sharing.Have a wonderful evening.
Hugs,
Marie

Ido said...

I love all your linens, specially the table mats, can I have them? lol!
Have a lovely day!
XXX Ido

Alba Linea said...

so many lovely things you share with us. thank you very much! warm wishes and a nice evening. di ;0)

harmony and rosie said...

Oh my, exquisite, and you know my feelings about all this wonderful French goodness. Mono napkins really ARE hard to find and when you do, they are so expensive. If I hadn't had a glass of wine already, I'd be in the car coming your way, large sack in hand ..
x

Charlotte Wilson said...

Liz,
You are a lucky lady indeed to be the proud owner of such a beautiful collection of linens. Thanks for sharing.

All the best,

charlotte

She Uses Her Words said...

White linens are my favorites! I don't think I can ever tire of looking at them!
Thanks for sharing, Best, Karen

suziqu's thread works said...

OMG! to see so much old French linen. That crocheted edged tablecloth and tablemats and little broderie englaise
top are simply divine. Oh how I would love to see your entire collection.
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Suzy

Unknown said...

Oh arent these all STUNNING? I absolutely love french lace and I'm amazed how much wonderful goodies you have! I adore the bodice, and so OLD! WOW! You are a great collector indeed! :)

Hugs,

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

NO Liz, I would have NEVER ever thought you would collect anything, lol.
All of your linens are just gorgeous and I can very well understand that you couldn't pass on them. The workmanship is really amazing. I can hardly imagine how long it would take and how much patience you would need to make only one of those delicate placemats. I would have gone crazy if I had to make six of them or twelve of the napkins etc.
Have a great day :-)!
Hugs to you,
Julia

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Hi Liz! Your linens are gorgeous!
Kelly

Cindy Adkins said...

OH WOW, Liz--these linens are purely exquisite!!! I am speechless!!! XO Cindy

Lace hearts said...

Those are all simply stunning. The last picture was so fascinating. I bought a beautiful lace and silk handmade top recently from a woman who repurposes vintage linens and laces and it's a very similar pattern. I must post a picture soon.

Curtains in My Tree said...

I also love old white linens however recently sold several pieces

I have been downsize since I had so much of everything

your linens are beautiful and very desirable

Andi's English Attic said...

Beautiful things. I especially like the heart design. xx

Lynn Stevens said...

Oh my gosh these have to be some of the prettiest I've ever seen. Gorgeous!!!
I have a dumb question Liz, when you make your lavendar saches are they filled with just the flower buds or also the leaves?
hugs Lynn

Mom E. said...

Liz!
These Linens are so beautiful! I am wishing I would have purchased an adorable antique baby dress I saw at an antique store in Spokane Washington, USA. It would be so lovely to have an antique night dress to take pictures of the baby in. I wish I had antique dresses for my daughter and both of her little ones. That would make a lovely antique style picture......My daughter has beautiful long hair and I can just see the three of them in cream flowing gauzy dresses for a picture. ..ahhh...sweet dreams of mine....
Have a great day Liz!