Vicki, very nice work, and a great idea for getting these antique pieces used again. One of these days I will get around to doing something with all those little pieces I have tucked away because I don't know what to do with them.

Vicki, very nice job on the pillowcase.

I am not sure how sturdy the felt would be. It might be better to make it like a quilt with a top, batting and a backing for stability.

PosyP wrote: Rosemary, Great suggestion for how to treat this kind of panel. Thanks.

MAMA2TNT wrote: Wow that sounds wonderful. I hope you'll post pictures of your progress along the way.

quilter51 wrote: Vicki, That is lovely! I have gotten really busy and haven't been able to work on this project lately, but I picked it up the other day and found I can actually take the various blocks apart, so that will help me a lot in figuring out a plan. Good to know about Cindy's book. I'll look into it.

MAMA2TNT wrote: Lay out the piece of felt, position the filet crochet panel on top and smooth, the same as if it is a quilt and then catch stitch it down using a matching thread, going around all the main motifs and letters - just imagine it is a piece of applique.

I have are large piece that my mother crocheted years ago. It is a filet crochet wall panel of The Lord's Prayer. It measures about 30"x40". My thoughts are to attached it to a large piece of black felt and perhaps do some felt wool applique of vines and flowers along the edge of the crocheted panel. I do not know how to attach the panel to the felt so that it will lay flat and not sag. Any suggestions?

This is a pillowcase quilt made from a beautiful vintage pillowcase, done in the style of Cindy Needham.
She has great methods for repurposing vintage linens and laces.
You can download her book for $20 at cindyneedham.com
It is well worth the money!!
This pillowcase quilt is my first attempt at using these beautiful old pieces, to get them out of dresser drawers and into the light again.

I am surprised by the delightful soft hand this particular linen has. Thanks for reminding me that linen is tough, so I won't be so worried about it. I serged the cut edges and will wash it tomorrow.

I will be using this quilt as a wall quilt. Perhaps the quilting can help control some of the wrinkling. I am planning on using Mom's beautiful strip of hand crocheted lace down the center backed by the dark tan to show off her lace, and will do some kind of heirloom quilt style on each side with the lovely ivory linen that almost matches the color of Mom's lace. I will have to think about the design for the sides and border. I might use a little embroidery and then some quilting. Plus I have a pearl necklace she used to wear that I plan on taking apart and sewing the pearl beads onto the quilt. This is a dear project for me. She died before I got into quilting, but she was my primary sewing teacher and was so talented herself in sewing clothing. I will journal blog this on my personal blog and drop in a few notes here on TQS. I love the way you all encourage and inspire my work. You are a great bunch of friends!!!!

lots of fraying and lots of wrinkling.... the frays you can prepare against!
but linen is supposed to wrinkle! there is no such think as a crisp. wrinkle-free linen outfit (or quilt - unless it's hanging on the wall). if it's loved - it'll be wrinkled - and it'll get softer and more yummy with every wash!!! there's nothing like the cool feel of linen in summertime! (and i'm allergic to the stuff... but it's still so fabulous !)

Oh yes, the wrinkles........ My mother was given a linen dress by her mother-in-law. It came out ever so often when we visited my grandmother - a two hour drive. On arrival my mother always looked worse than if she had just got up, and her face showed the bad mood she (an obsessive perfectionist) was in.

Yep, hot water will not hurt it but be aware--linen wrinkles. Taking it out of the wash, and while it is still damp, pressing it works well to get them out.

Linen is one tough fabric - it can take most anything you throw at it, I remember that some irons had a heat setting for linen and it was hotter than cotton, and a boil wash to clean household linens was the norm. But yes, it loves to fray as well, so make sure the edges are overlocked or finished before washing. I don't remember much about shrinkage in the wash, but I do remember creasing problems when it dries. Fabric softener ( if you use it) might help, but I just had at it with a hot steaming iron.