Old Fashioned Junk

I am a collector of what a lot of people feel is old fashioned junk.  I love my old china much better than any that I could buy new.  I love old furniture, old books, old glassware, old jewelry, old hats, not to mention old movies and music. I also collect and use old linens, specifically embroidered linens from the 1940's and 50's.

I find them at thrift stores, garage sales, and antique stores and have even inherited a few from my mom and my grandmothers.  And yes, I do use them.  They were made to be used and as long as I handle and wash them gently, they will last for many years.  They are also quite affordable - their modern counterparts tend to be much more expensive and are of inferior quality. 

I am always amazed that so many people consider them to be junk.  They throw out or give away something that their own grandmother or great aunt embroidered or crocheted.  I don't understand that; I treasure the things that were made by family. Plus, since I do embroidery and crochet myself, I understand and can appreciate how much work went into making these things.  Some of them are just exquisite.

So, today, I'll show you some of my "junk":

My granny made these dishtowels for my mom when my parents married in 1954.  They're discolored from age, so they're currently in my neverending pile of linens that need a good soak.  Mom's set was missing the Sunday towel, so I found iron on transfers for this design at the Pattern Bee so I can embroider the Sunday towel myself.  I ordered several sets of  transfers made from original 1940's & 50's embroidery patterns. If you're looking for old embroidery patterns, it's the place to go. It's a fun website, has good prices and fast service, and no, they're not paying me to say that. 

This embroidered lady hangs over my bed.  She was originally a bedspread.

These are awfully wrinkled, but that's because they're on my bed pillows right now.  Old cotton pillowcases are soooo soft.

These pillowcases were in my mom's linen cupboard. I'm not sure who made them, but I know both of my grandmothers did beautiful needlework, so perhaps one of them gave them to Mom. They look like something my mom's mom would have chosen.

I had had this throw pillow for several years when I found a tablecloth with the same embroidery pattern.  I just love the dogs, and love the pillow & tablecloth together.

 

 More dogs:

Birds:

I love the little bird on this tablecloth.  So sweet!

This is the dresser scarf currently on my dresser.  I switch it out with some of these:

Tea towels:

My grandma embroidered this tea towel.  I often use tea towels to make small throw pillows, as I did with this one:

I don't have too many crocheted items, but this one is one of my favorites.  We found it among the stuff that my mother had saved from her mother.  Since my grandma crocheted all her life, I imagine she made it.  I crochet, but I have never tried anything this intricate.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day!

Linking to Thrift'n on a Thursday at Savvy City Farmer