By Vicki Ingham
I love vintage linens, especially white tablecloths, dresser scarves and hand towels. There’s something about the texture, weight and quality of old linen and cotton that’s so satisfying to the eye and the touch.
Since a person can use only so many tablecloths, however, I like to find other ways to use them. A large white tablecloth works well as a bed skirt for a twin bed, and a tone-on-tone damask tablecloth serves nicely as a coverlet. A tablecloth that’s too stained to use as-is can be cut up and stitched into napkins (but I would first try treating the stain with B.O.S.S., an amazing stain remover).
One of my favorite places to shop for vintage linens is Sisters in the Junction in Valley Junction. Greta McCarty and her sister, Sara Davis, took over from their mother 18 years ago, and along with lots of beautiful new things, they have a nice selection of old pieces. In fact, I spotted a bedspread that I’m thinking might work as a slipcover for a love seat.
Find Sisters at 202 Fifth St., West Des Moines; 277-8778.
