From Threads to Treasures: Restoring Vintage Linens This Spring
Welcome Spring! As I am writing this on March 27, 2025 – we in Western North Carolina remember the devastation of Hurricane Helene six months ago. GOOD MORNING AMERICA visited Asheville live this morning to update all their viewers on the progress that has been made, highlighted our communities’ resilience, and invited everyone to come and visit our area. We are ready to welcome visitors back again and there is much to do and see despite the visible ongoing recovery efforts.
Watch the coverage here: Asheville Rising on Good Morning America
We are currently watching several wildfires in the mountains nearby but hope for relief this weekend with lots of rain in the forecast.
Workshop at Arrowmont
March 2nd to 5th I had the pleasure to teach a “Fun with Geometrics” workshop at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg. On the agenda were circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, and freeform work. This workshop benefits from different input and ideas from the students—we were thinking outside of the boxes!
Getting there was a pleasant drive on a sunny Sunday morning from Asheville to Cherokee and then traveling north to Tennessee through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There was no traffic until I entered Gatlinburg. The warm weather attracted thousands of visitors to the popular destination. I had not been to Arrowmont since before Covid, and it was a challenge to follow new directions with the ongoing traffic jam caused by folks continuing to cross the main road regardless of traffic lights.
When I finally arrived and settled in, I decided to stay put on campus for my work vacation. Despite Arrowmont’s location close to the center of town and across from the Ripley’s Aquarium, it was quiet and peaceful. I even had a chance to do some bird watching! Beautiful sunshine invited us to have our meals and quiet time using the outdoor picnic tables.
After two lovely days the weather turned cold and rainy. On Thursday morning when I was ready to return home, I was told that Hwy. 441 South through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee was closed due to weather conditions. So, with new directions to Interstate 40 toward Asheville, I headed west to get on the newly opened section of Hwy. 40 through the gorge.
After six months of damage repair from the hurricane (mostly rock and mudslides), one narrow lane in both directions, along with some rain and sleet, turned the return trip into a five-hour adventure that required a trip through the car wash.
Restoration Work
After getting home I completed an interesting tablecloth restoration—a beautiful example of restoring vintage linens; a one-hundred-year-old cloth with some missing components in the center and along the border. I recreated three circular designs and several star connectors to restore the tablecloth to its original beauty. Unfortunately, it had several yellow stains that were set in, probably from being washed without being pretreated. Once that happens, removal is nearly impossible. I tried several of my usual spot treatments (I do not launder any restoration pieces) with no success, but they are now less noticeable, and the cloth is back to its original beauty.
Then I restored an interesting and rather unusual doily that had fallen victim to a little pully love! It was surprising to discover that the cotton thread originally used by the customer’s grandmother was treated with a stiffening wax finish, which was not visible on the original image for my estimate. I remembered long ago, some smaller items used in kitchens and dining rooms were treated with a waxy finish to facilitate cleaning—and yes, wiping with a damp cloth easily removed surface dirt.
I believe that the wax treatment attracted the otherwise mostly well-behaved canine to explore its taste and texture, which resulted in several small thread breaks. I was able to match the ecru color precisely and restore the pattern—minus the wax treatment. The customer is very happy, and the puppy is out of the doghouse!
Quarter Turn Collection
This next week I will be putting the final touches on the last two pieces of my Quarter Turn collection for the “Patience Makes Perfect” exhibition in the Focus Gallery of the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The exhibition will be open from April 26th to July 13th of this year. Images are coming soon!
Spring Reflections
Blossoms are coming up everywhere, and the cycle of life invites us to think about—or start—something new and blossom with fresh energy.
Enjoy your spring!
Happenings in the Studio
Wheels and Stars – Before Restoration
Wheels and Stars – After Restoration
The Restored Doily
“I do what I love and I love what I do.”