Tags
BELINENMOVIE, dish towels, flax, fleur bleue, French faience, Henriot Quimper, JF Fabrics, Libby Wilkie, linen, Lutron, Metis, motorized drapery, O Eco Textiles, Ralph Lauren, sheets, tablecloth, Thibaut, vintage French linen
I don’t know about you, but I love linen! I love vintage table linens, bed linens and drapery linens.
And so this post is about linens bestowed on us by my late mother in law. I LOVE this picture of her as she is writing. I loved getting letters from her and at the very end of her letters, she always wrote:
ta mère qui vous aime beaucoup et je vous embrasse trés trés fort mes enfants. Meaning: your mother who loves you very much and big hugs my children.
I still have all her cards and letters.
I will also share examples of linen today and how I use them in couture window fashions.
I was inspired to do this post last weekend as a result from reading one of the blogs I follow by Libby Wilkie. She shared a video about the making of linen from the Linen and Hemp Community and for the next 15 minutes, I was totally enthralled! The music is really cool and it is French with English subtitles!
PLEASE go to her post HERE and read it as she gives excellent background information about linen that I won’t be giving you. Why repeat the same thing twice, right? And then watch the VIDEO. You won’t be disappointed!
But as you all know if you are regular readers of my blog, while doing research for it, I ended up writing about leek and potato soup instead!
These tiny seeds are the beginning of something really great. From the fibers and seeds this plant produces, we are able to eat and clothe ourselves.
Better known as the flax plant.
Look at the beauty of these flowers! Did you know they are only open one day their whole entire life? They close up at the end of the day forever.
If you only had one day to show off your beauty wouldn’t you want it to be as spectacular as these?
THE VINTAGE SHEETS
When Maman (French for mom) passed away and we were going through all the armoires, we found 3 sets of these sheets in their original state. She had bought a set for each of her 3 children around 50 years ago.
They are Métis linen, a type of linen produced in Normandy, France along with retting and further production in Belgium. The video tells the story from planting and harvesting to spinning the actual fibers and weaving them into linen.
Isn’t the embroidery just gorgeous at the header of the sheet? This embroidery was done by machine. The sizing is metric but still, these are not small sheets and are heavy.
I remember the years of going to France and sleeping in the beds all having these linen sheets on them. There is nothing quite like the feel of these sheets. Over the course of time with many washings and hanging them out on the line to dry, they turn white from the sun. I must admit I thought my husband was nuts and that he didn’t know what he was talking about because how could these sheets in their natural color turn to white? I didn’t believe him until I found these originals in the armoire.
And then in my research last weekend, I found this website from Au Trousseau. They sell vintage sheets like this and have a page on the care and cleaning of them HERE because these are not your average poly/blend type of sheet to maintain. So glad I found this site. I learned that I have not been caring for my sheets properly! Like everything else, I throw them in the dryer at low heat, but, NO NO NO! I really should be hanging them out to dry. So guess what dear hubby will be doing for me when Spring comes?
AND, if I were like Maman, I would be ironing them too! I remember her bringing them in just before they were dry and ironing them. Never understood the chemistry of it, but after reading the above link, the AHA moment came! They should still be damp when you iron them so the creases come out. Hmmmmm……I might have to work really hard on that one. But, I do have those memories of getting into the bed and remembering the feel of those sheets.
Notice the difference in color. Look how white the sheet has actually become over all these years compared to the original.
This was one of two remaining shams that we brought back but even then, you can see how it is ripped at the side where the embroidery meets the flange. Years and years of use. Now it is purely decorative on my bed.
Another neat picture of Maman when she was younger.
LINENS FOR THE TABLE
This is a table runner we found that she would use for the Dining Room table. Note the hand embroidery detail. It only came out on special occasions.
One of a dozen or so linen jacquard napkins with a matching loooooong oblong tablecloth so that when the table was fully extended, it was dressed elegantly. I feel guilty wiping my mouth with these but I know that’s what they are for!
This is one of a dozen or so cotton jacquard napkins. I love these! They are such a great weight and feel so good, easily fan folded and inserted in a glass.
THE PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE
This is a square tablecloth handmade and embroidered by my husband’s paternal grandmother. The details are incredible with a scalloped embroidered edge all around.
It’s the corners that are breathtaking. I couldn’t imagine having the patience to do something like this.
She hand embroidered an “N” for the family name: Le Nair
This tablecloth tells me it has been used and adored because of the stains on it and I too use it lovingly from time to time.
Look at the seam where the pieces of linen were sewn together. This is a work of art done as only the women of Brittany would do.
Another neat photo of Maman when she was younger. She had a head of black beautiful hair and that front curl from the 40’s.
Here are the wool tablecloth and napkins she used for her restaurant. We use them today.
AHHH, THE DISH TOWELS!
Here are 3 different towels we brought back. These are the best linen towels as they leave no dust on the dishes. That is my one peeve and I refuse to dry my dishes with a towel as I hate the little fuzzies that come off.
BUT, not with these towels. AND, not that I dry my dishes either. I hate doing the dishes so what doesn’t go in the dishwasher definitely air drys.
The towel on the far right was never used when we found them (a good dozen) in the armoire. When we had everything shipped over, I washed all the linens because the house stood empty for a year and the smell needed to be washed out. I wish now that I would’ve saved one towel and not washed it to compare. But it was only washed once. Notice the difference between the other two.
Now, remember that I said we found brand new towels in the armoire? I love Maman because this was the condition of the towels in her kitchen! She wore them out!
AND NOW TO TODAY AND DRAPERY LINENS
These linens are from O Eco Textiles and are organic. They have such a beautiful collection of linens to choose from whether it be lightweight sheer linen to the heavier upholstery weight.
I have had this line for 4 years now and have been dying to use them but still haven’t had the right client asking for organics.
This is a line of washable linen from JF Fabrics and is very lightweight and soft handed.
This is an example of how I used the washable linen. It was a little too sheer because a certain amount of privacy was needed at night so I chose to line it with a light filtering lining so light could come through during the day. This is a back slat roman shade with a separate self valance. The shade is 115 ” wide and is motorized so the valance is hiding the wiring that was needed. A Lutron Sivoia QED motor was used and it was integrated into the computerized home operating system so that with a push of a button, my client is able to lower or raise her shade, and quietly at that!
This is Thibaut’s Laundered Linen. I love the different colorways it comes in. It is lightweight and nice to work with, yet being linen, requires a certain amount of kid gloves to prevent as much wrinkling as possible.
This is a project in which we used a Ralph Lauren printed linen for the panels and box pleated valance, and used the Thibaut as the contrast inset pleats and the 1″ cording at the top of the valance. The Ralph Lauren linen was heavier in weight and a bigger weave so the contrast between it and the tighter woven Thibaut was nice.
This is a pair of linen panels I made for the IWCE several years ago. There is a floating lace panel over it attached at the smocked header only. This is a heavier weight linen and it wrinkled! Even steaming it did not get all the wrinkles out but that is the beauty of linen, is it not?
One last photo of Maman at her restaurant holding a pair of Brittany slippers and French faience on the table. We have that faience now on our sideboard.
French faience and Henriot Quimper will be the subject of a future post as we were blessed with her many pieces.
And so my dear readers, as Maman would say to us in her letters, I am saying to you: je vous embrasse trés trés fort.
Je vous remercie pour lire ma blog: I thank you for reading my blog!
Ceil said:
Tammi,
What a wonderful tribute to your Mother in Law!
Loved reading about the linens. I have a few things myself from my Mother’s family, including hundreds of little round crocheted pieces that my great grandmother intended to make into a table cloth. I keep thinking I will get to it and make one. I believe the rounds are crocheted from cotton bakery string. I’ll have to show them to you sometime!
Ceil
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Ceil, I would love to see those little round crocheted pieces! I think it’s amazing at how creative our ancestors were at making heirlooms from something such as bakery string! It truly is a dying art.
Brittany is known for their embroidery and it’s a shame I wasn’t over there enough to learn from a master while they were still alive.
Perhaps you could bring a couple to the next WCAA meeting.
LikeLike
Pat Hart said:
I also collect vintage linens…the hand work is so beautiful. If you have spots, dampen them with white vinegar and water and set them on the lawn in the sun. There’s some kind of chemical reaction with the grass–the spots bleach out. I had a tablecloth of my mothers that I soaked in oxiclean and then bleach and the stain stayed. I did the vinegar/sun/grass thing and it came right out. Try it.
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Pat, thank you so much for the vinegar idea! Living in the woods, I only have a small pacth of grass but I will definitely do that when I thaw out up here!
That was also a recommendation from Au Trousseau. In fact, she said that years and years ago, that is how the sheets were dried, by laying them on the grass! If only we would pay attention to nature more, we have so much to learn.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting!
LikeLike
Pingback: Dining Table Runner
aneyefordetail said:
Tammi:
What a wonderful, wonderful story and post!!!! I love it. Can I return the favor and post this? I have one person in particular who would be absolutely fascinated with your very personal story of linen, ok?
And, let me tell you, I always, always hang out all my bed linen and towels! Yep, no dryer, ever. And, are you ready, I always iron the turnback of the sheets, and all my pillow cases. I can’t get into bed with unironed cases!!! Now, I love to iron, so it’s not a big deal for me. Crazy? Maybe.
And I agree, linen dish towels are the only way to go. Even cotton doesn’t absorb the same. But, they are hard to find over here, so I usually buy a few when in France!
more later…. But this was just great.
Libby
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Hi Libby!
I would be delighted if you shared this! I think I have turned over a new leaf after writing this post because now I have the motivation to really take care of what I have. I think because I use the iron all day when fabricating window treatments, the last thing I want to do is iron! But, I do want to pass these sheets on to the next generation so it is my duty to take care of them properly.
If you want some good French dish towels when in France again, Melanie Aussandon in Provence sells them at her store. Her blog is Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosites. Met her in Paris last year and she is a delight and I love what she has in her shop! She also sells these online if I remember so you don’t have to go to France, but oh, what a good excuse to make a trip huh?
Tammi xo
LikeLike
Dick Gentry said:
I know how those sheets feel from past trips to friends in France. Miss it!
LikeLike
Tammi said:
yes, Dick, there is nothing like real French linen sheets. I was telling my father this morning about my blog post and of course he thinks a sheet is just a sheet. Well, I had him feel the Euro sham and how soft it is and now he is sold on the difference!
Feeling is believing!
LikeLike
Rissi Cherie said:
Tammi, what a fabulous post. You have shared with your readers beautiful memories and beautiful linens.
I have a few pieces of embroidered fabrics, but they are beginning to fall to pieces. Still, they are treasures.
I await more blogs on faïence and Quimper.
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Thanks Rissi!
It would be a shame to hide the beautiful linens I am blessed to be given!
So you are familiar with Quimper are you? I love it and from the very first time I went to France, I bought myself something each time for my collection.
Tammi xo
LikeLike
Pingback: Embroidered Linen Sheer
sharon said:
HI Tammi
Just found you via Libby, funny because I have been posting about French linens this week as well. Beautiful post you wrote here. There is no substitute for sleeping divinely well.
So, yes! only hang them to dry, yes! the chloroform given off by grass has a chemical reaction and whitens the sheets in the sun and yes iron them! This week I have been singing the praises of my mangle iron that makes neat work of the heaviest sheet in just a few minutes.
LOVE that first picture of your mother in law – what an elegant lady.
Sharon
My French Country Home
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Hi Sharon!
thanks for popping over! I look forward to reading your post on linen too!
Every time I slip under the covers a smile comes over me because I am revisiting my memories of France, which maybe I should be journaling so I can pass them on with the sheets.
Forgive me for my ignorance, but what is a mangle iron? I thought I knew irons pretty well as I also have a German boiler iron but you have stumped me.
Yes, Maman was very elegant and we got along very well.
LikeLike
Bonjour Romance said:
Bonjour Tammi,
WHat an incredible post. Just came by via Libby, and so glad I did. Your mother in la loeked so elegant – the tablecloth is such a treasure. Slipping into bed to rest on linens sheets is wonderful!
I am a new follower and will be back again soon.
Mimi
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Bonjour Mimi!
thanks for stopping by and commenting here as well as following me!
Yes, I’ll never forget the first time I saw that tablecloth! And then when I was presented with it, well, I think you know the feelings that came along with it. I used it as soon as I got back from France.
I think that’s why Maman left us her treasures because when she visited, she knew we appreciated them whereas my husband’s sister and brother were not as infatuated with them as we were.
Look forward to hearing from you again!
LikeLike
Tammy@InStitches said:
Hi Tammi,
I saw your post over at Libby’s. So glad I came by to hear all about your mother in law and her linens. Such nice photos and memories, looks like you are going to be able to keep passing them down.
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Hi Tammy!
Congrats are in order because I saw you won a weekend at the Creative Camp! My name wasn’t chosen, darn! Have fun! Blog about it and I’ll live vicariously through you that weekend.
Yes, now that I know how to care for my linens, they are definitely being passed on. So glad I found that website from Au Trousseau telling me how to care for them.
I hope you had time to watch that video! That was just fascinating and made me want to take a field trip to Normandy.
LikeLike
sylvie in Rappahannock said:
What a lovely post, Tammi (found my way here though Maison de Ballard, Joan Ballard’s blog). I do love linen and have quite a few vintage one (love vintage china too and use them all the time).
When I as growing up, the advice I always heard was “ma cherie, le cotton ca se seche a l’ombre pour ne pas jaunir, et le lin au soleil pour blanchir”. There was never ever a question of using a dryer. In fact I did not then they even existed…
Today all my laundry – no matter the season – is line dried.
Bien a vous!
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Bonjour Sylvie!
Bienvenue a ma (mon) blog! So glad you found me through what I call “rond points” comme en france. I have discovered some great blogs through others.
Did you grow up in France? I adore the advice you were given and will have to remember it!
Amusing story: When Maman was getting too old to put the laundry out on the line, we thought we were helping her by buying a seche-linge. She rarely used it and continued to put her laundy on the line! 🙂
I love the smell of laundry line-dried, but as I live in the woods, years ago I took the line down because birds loved it too. However, I now have a new Spring project waiting for me.
Merci pour vos mots gentils et revenez!
Tammi
LikeLike
sylvie in Rappahannock said:
Grandi en France? Oui, bien sur!
A bientot.
(je crois que c’est “un” blog – “un” journal, apres tout….)
LikeLike
The enchanted home said:
Hi and thanks so much for stopping by yesterday and for your very kind comments. I have to say this is such a well done post, it brought tears to my eyes, what an absolutely beautiful tribute to who was obviously, a very special person to you. She looked like a wonderful and classy lady. I love linen myself and France surely has some of the most beautiful. So interesting about the flax flowers, one day a year..wow!
So glad you found me so I could find you:)
All the best-
LikeLike
Tammi said:
good morning!
thank you for taking the time to pop over too! Yes, Maman was a special lady to me and I had the utmost respect for her. I taught myself French so I could communicate with her because when we first met, I didn’t know a lick of French and felt so lost. She also said to me: my daughter, you will have to learn the language because you are younger, I’m too old!
She did me a favor because now I can travel over there and feel like I’m home!
Yes, I would love to be in the fields of flax when they are in bloom! What a treat that would be considering that the next day, the flowers that bloomed yesterday would not be there and new ones would be in their place.
LikeLike
Nancy Letts said:
Tammi, what a beautiful post about your Maman and her linens. Linen is my absolute favorite fabric to work with, wrinkling notwithstanding. The detailed embroidery on your Maman’s pieces is just gorgeous. I loved hearing the history of her linen, so I look forward to your post about her and her faience as well.
I especially love the first photo of her writing the letters. I remember those glue bottles from elementary school!
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Nancy, when I saw that glue bottle it took me back to school too! Yes, that is my favorite photo of Maman.
I like to work with linen too, there’s just something about the way it drapes in your hands.
LikeLike
Nouveau Stitch said:
Great post, Tammi! I really enjoyed learning about those gorgeous linens and am kicking myself for not shopping for them while in Provence. Gives me an excuse to go back!
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Yes, Ellen, I can give you the name of Melanie Aussandon when you go back to France. She lives in Provence and sells the dish towels which are absolutely the BEST!
LikeLike
aneyefordetail said:
Tammi: I just reread this post and see you got a few new commenters from my blog! Wow, it really works. I’m so glad to send some readers over to you! Sharon and I met for real last Sept. in Paris at the blogger “meet up” at Les Deux Magots!
LikeLike
Tammi said:
Yes Libby, I’ve been meaning to thank you for that! How exciting that you got to meet up in Paris! I noticed from my stats that I’ve been sending you some traffic too.
Last January while in Paris, we had a blogger meetup with Jackie Von Tobel and I got to meet Maryanne and Robespierre from Beadboard Up Country and Melanie from Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosites. It was really fun!
LikeLike
Ali Textiles said:
Ali Textiles provides textile items such as Tea Towels, Kitchen Towels, Glass Cloths, Jacquard Kitchen Towels, Table Cloths, Napkins, Cotton Bags, Laundry Bags, Dish Cloths, Terry Tea Towels, Terry Bath Towels, Beach Towels, Face Wash, Handkerchiefs, Bed Sheets, Pillow Case, Duvet Covers, Mattress Covers, Bathrobes, Aprons, Oven Gloves, Thermal Blankets, Flannel Blankets, Boxer Shorts, Check Pajamas and Shirts Cotton Scarves, Ladies Shawls, Jacquard Throw Jacquard Rugs etc.
Marketing Manager:
Irfan Ali IffI
Email: alitexmlt@gmail.com
Web: http://www.alitextiles.webs.com
Mob:92-321-7300174
Tele:92-61-6781745
Fax: 92-61-6777943
Multan Pakistan
LikeLike
Pingback: Lavender, Scones, a Memory and a Movie « COUTURE WINDOW FASHIONS -All The Details
Francoise Coadou-Porter said:
when you mentioned the embroidered N forthe family name Le Nair, i recognised it as a name from bretagne , recognised the coloured serviettes as same as the one my parents had in Benodet ( 45 minutes away from Pont Aven), still have 2 or 3 packets of same sheets wrapped up in my linen cupboard in australia ( left over from the 30 my maman gave me as wedding present….love the memories you brought back to mind with this blog Merci (new blogger “My French LinenArmoire” -still learning)
LikeLike
Tammi said:
bonjour Francoise!
Yes, the French names with the “Le” in front are the identifier as being from Brittany!
How interesting that your parents are from Benodet because I know exactly where that is and that you have the same serviettes.
I look forward to reading your blog! Thanks again for stoppping by and commenting 🙂
LikeLike
Oceane said:
Hi everybody
I am native from France. I did appreciate your sharing,
I would add ‘the French names with the “Le” in front ‘: it is not special in Brittany… I would say every where in the ‘redneck’ country… Alps… Auvergne, Normandy, etc…
and I do agree.. outside drying, ironing the linen when it is still wet: the best is the wash boiler with Marseille soap (the true one, made with olive oil).. it is not possible for every one, but it is a big guarantee of a linen long life!!!! WITHOUT stains.
LikeLike
Pingback: Day 6 Everyday Extraordinary Provence | COUTURE WINDOW FASHIONS -All The Details