I almost didn't get around to decorating my tea trolley for Easter this year, but on Saturday, I was inspired by a vintage embroidered table runner I'd come across.
I'm trying to give away, donate, or toss a lot of the linens that I've let accumulate but don't use very often, yet something about this piece speaks to me. I'm not sure, but I believe it was in a pile of assorted linens my late mother gave me years ago. Since I crochet, I know how much work went into this trim. And I love how these thick old linens have such a loose, floppy quality to them, as though they've been loved by many others before me.
And while I admire precise stitching and embroidery (my inner perfectionist gets so frustrated when I can't achieve that myself), I am somehow charmed by the crude quality of these lavender, purple, yellow, and green stitches.
The effect is still just lovely.
And of course it's always around Easter that I pull out my beloved Royal Winton Welbeck tea wares. A friend recently asked to borrow a dozen vintage teapots for a baby shower her daughter was hosting, and I was happy to be able to accommodate her. As I looked around my kitchen and dining room, though, I realized I am perfectly willing to loan out just about anything I have except my Welbeck and this teapot. I think it's because I could come close to replacing everything else, but not these pieces. (To be more accurate, I could replace the Welbeck, I just couldn't afford it anymore, because I know I couldn't duplicate the $20-or-less price I paid for the teapot, tray, and other pieces years ago thanks to an eagle-eyed girlfriend!)
Also in the display: a few faux flowers .
And since I'm going with a yellow-and-purple theme, I thought this teacup deserved a spot of honor.
This one too.
A detail from a yellow rose plate.
And here's what I'll be sipping out of this week!
Beautiful, absolutely Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love vintage linens, too, and I really like the crocheted trim on your runner. And that china - all of it, is gorgeous. Enjoy it this spring!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful display!
ReplyDeleteI collect tablecloths and pillowcases. I also embroider. I've made my sons promise not to donate my linen hoard to thrift stores.
I buy whenever I find them. I don't resale. I use and love them.
You are right. The work of some woman is a gift to treasure. I started embroidering to fill my bottom drawer (a Scottish tradition, you collect things for your future home).
So if you want to list some here, I'd be interested.
I always love to see what's on your tea trolley! It's such an inspiration to me (and everyone else, I'm sure). I'm glad you didn't get rid of that piece of linen - it is lovely. Maybe the stitches are crude because some young lady was just learning how to embroider - if only those old linens could talk to us and tell us their story!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cheerful collection of Spring-time tea things! I am very fond on vintage linens, soo, and do like to wonder about who worked on the embroidered things like your
ReplyDeletelovely cloth. When we use items like that, we are honoring the anonymous girls and women who spent so much time in creating them.
Dear Angela: No one else in the whole world got the deal you did! That tray is an amazing piece underneath too! Your teacart looks wonderful and I love, love the topper!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,
ReplyDeleteI do love the Welbeck teapot. My husband bought it for me for full price when Victoria came out with it. I have the teapot, one cup and saucer, and one serving platter. They are perfect for springtime. I love your color theme and always am drawn to pretty vintage linens.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'd lend any of my teapots EXCEPT for my Wellbeck! Mine came to me as a gift from an English friend after I had showed her a picture and said "Some day, when I have the money, I'm going to buy this teapot." Later that year, her husband was contracted by Royal Winton to put in a new computer system for them, and,remembering what I had said, bought it for me with his temporary employee discount!!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I *love* this story! How wonderful that this man remembered your wished-for teapot and got it for you. I will always believe these are some of the most beautiful tea wares ever made!
DeleteGorgeous! I love the combination of purple and yellow. I have three quilts made in that combination. As a fellow crafter, I agree that the amount of work put into these linens is much to be admired, especially when they're done in a large version. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete