Linens, Linens, Linens.

How many dresser scarves can one person use in a house? Apparently, "back in the day", they used a whole lot! Dresser scarves, Vanity sets, chair sets, piano cloths; whatever the piece of furniture, they embroidered a linen for it! Large, small, tiny, all kinds of odd shapes. Often I have stood in an antiques store holding a embroidered linen, shaking my head and wondering "What the heck is this for?" I confess, I have bought many such odd linens for the embroidery on them. And because I find it hard to resist an embroidered linen for some unknown reason.
So the other night I was feeling super creative and I made this needle case out of a small 5 1/2 by 9 inch hand embroidered dresser - thingy while watching one of my favorite movies ever - "Becoming Jane".

 

I added the word "needles" on there.

 

Then I made this baggie out of a heavily starched, embroidered "hot rolls cover." It has a pink ribbon loop that is removable for hanging or carrying or whatever. I stayed up till 2:00 AM making these, as for some reason, I was stoked and far from feeling sleepy.

 

The next day, I bought a white and blue "hot rolls cover" at my friend's antique shop for $2.00 and made this little "baggy thingy" last evening while watching the 2 hour season premiere of "24" (Yay Jack! Whoop some terrorist butts! Yay Chloe! Hack those terrorist's computers!)

 

The baggy thingys are fully lined and have snap closures. My fingers are full of holes, too; as I do all the sewing by hand. Working with these old linens it too intricate to do with a machine. Besides, I don't know how to use a sewing machine - yet. I think they would make great make-up bags, lingerie bags, gift bags, little girl's purses, etc.

So they will all be up on my Etsy later this evening in case you want one or know someone who might want one.
Why leave old linens sitting around in bags, boxes, closets, drawers, attics, and the like? I say, USE 'EM.
I have a pile of throw pillows on our bed made entirely from old white linens.

So when I look at a old dresser scarf, I don't see a dresser scarf; I see what it could be with a little tweaking.