Embellish Ordinary Kitchen Linens with Lace ~ Romantic Homemaking Series

"Out of the way! We are in the throes of an exceptional emergency!

This is no occassion for sport- there is lace at stake!" (Ms. Pole)" 

~ Elizabeth Gaskell (Cranford)

There is something satisfying in completing an ordinary task in an extraordinary way. It becomes a rich and satisfying ritual. Take advantage of the last slow days of winter and cultivate beauty in your home. Sew sow seeds of loveliness in your homemaking routine. Forage for lace in your little nooks of homemaking treasures and embellish your flour sack towels, basic dish towels and even your cleaning rags! This is extravagant living the old fashioned way. Our ancestors used to embellish all their handmade linens with embroidery, crochet and trims. This is because the home was the heartbeat of their world, the center of their universe. And it is the center of mine... Won't you join me?

I’ve added some soft pink lace to plain white flour sack towels which will make wiping dishes delightful.

 

I’ve "fancified" plain terry towels which I will put aside for washing windows and glass for a gentle cleaning experience. 

You can sew basic lace onto plain dinner napkins to make them more attractive (not pictured). 

I've also cut up linens in our home that were not being used for various reasons and have repurposed them into dish towels and other useful items and have added lace (I'll post more on that topic soon!). The towel shared above was actually once a tablecloth. I’ve cut the poor dear into the appropriate sizes and added some of grandmother’s lace I had stashed away. I couldn’t be happier with the results. And yes, I will use them! 

“Creativity is taking a simple thing and bringing it to life.” 

~ Emilie Barnes

I haven’t purchased anything for these projects as I seem to have collected enough lace here and there which makes it all the more lovelier. However, even an inexpensive roll of lace will transform the boring into beautiful! 

Adding beauty to your daily tasks is never a waste of time but an enhancement to the homemaker’s life and is a way to express your love of home. This is what I call "romantic homemaking".

“Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds

and learn to find Him there.” 

~ A.W. Tozer

I have also included a PRINTABLE in this segment for your Inspired Home "Junk" Journal. It includes the beautiful verse from Mr. Tozer (shared above) and a few images that coordinate with this little homemaking project. (I hesitated to include these pictures as my printer ink is not working and the actual printable is more lovelier in color but I wanted to give you an idea of how I am fashioning it. And yes, I included a bit of leftover lace!)

There is also a list to give you ideas of what to embellish. Simply cut and paste into your journal as you would a scrapbook entry. One day when you are looking for inspiration, this list will guide you (free printable here). (Pardon the gloppy glue!)

I do hope you give this little project a try! Sewing on a bit of lace to already-made linens is fairly simple. Just a straight line! But within minutes, the basic becomes beautiful! My daughter loved the pink and white flour sack towels so I have placed them in her hope chest. Perhaps this can be something for your daughters (or grand-daughters) as well!  Happy homemaking!

Romantic Homemaking Series:

Romantic Homemaking Series Introduction

My List of My Beloved and Beautiful Homemaking Books

The Inspired Home "Junk" Journal ~ Free Printable

DIY Vanilla Rose Room Spray