buying french antique linens

Jul 18, 2017 | Craftsmanship, Style

Anyone who has shopped for antiques in France is sure to have seen antique linens piled up on tables, in trunks and sometimes in the country fairs directly on the ground!   The  heavy linen sheets, the jumbled boxes of table linens, in more or less good condition are a great temptation.  It’s difficult to walk past a beautiful monogrammed sheet or a set of embroidered napkins without at least asking the price and two minutes later popping the treasure into a bag to take home.

antique linens on table

But why is there so much linen for for sale?    Why don’t the French keep them and hand them down from one generation to the next?    The truth is that many people prefer the convenience of sheets that don’t need ironing, or throw-away napkins, but they are side stepping some real everyday pleasures for the sake of a little daily care.

 

Linens that have already been used are very easy to care for.   Sheets, table cloths, napkins and tea cloths can all be washed at a high temperature in regular machines.   Their fabric is incredibly hard wearing, even the embroidered monograms resist washing and ironing.

It’s a shame to tumble dry antique fabric, because the heat will surely remove much of the lint from the thread and their lifespan will be shortened.    The ideal way to dry antique sheets or other house linens is on a drying line in the sun or partial shade.   The advantage of this is also that they dry very flat, and can be folded from the line, either to be ironed or for those who hate to iron, popped straight into the linen cupboard.

Sometimes it’s possible to buy century old sheets or tablecloths that have never been used.   It’s easy to spot them.  Their fabric is stiff and without the slightest crease.  Their colour is creamier than the linens that have been washed again and again.

They can be popped straight into a machine, but for the best results, the fabric needs to be soaked for a while, to soften the thread and take away the starch that the fabric was originally soaked in.

To soften brand new antique cloth, leave them to soak in a bathtub for a day and a night.   You can add a very gently natural soap, or just leave them in the cold water.   It’s a good idea to change the water once or twice, before finally draining it away and popping the sheets or tea cloths into the washing machine to wash as normal.    This soaking period will allow the fiber to soften and possibly lighten a little in colour.

Once it is done, you don’t need to do it again, just use your linens normally, and enjoy the way they become more and more soft with each use and wash.

Latest Posts

spring tablescape inspiration

spring tablescape inspiration

As most of you may know, our May Box is all about welcoming spring. Spring is one of our favorite times to entertain. Everyone is starting to go out again after a long winter and is ready to meet with friends and loved ones around a pretty table outside. Today, we are...

gisel b: handcrafted french jewelry

gisel b: handcrafted french jewelry

If you have been following us for a while then you certainly know the jewelry brand, Gisel B! We absolutely love this woman-run brand and we hope that you do too. Gisel B is a French jewelry brand created in 2015 by Clémence Masson. Gisele is both her middle name and...

rose et marius: artisinal luxury

rose et marius: artisinal luxury

Rose et Marius is a luxurious artisanal brand that uses the finest porcelain and wax to create beautiful, hand-crafted, scented candles. Founded by Magali Fleurquin-Bonnard, Rose et Marius was created with a desire to maintain regional traditions by offering beautiful...

0 Comments

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop