What to Do With Old Linen Tablecloths? 9 Creative Ideas

I’ll share nine creative ideas for what to do with old linen tablecloths with you today that go beyond their original function.

A very strong and long-lasting material, linen can be used for many years to come. However, over time, linen sheets, napkins, table runners, and other cloths tend to turn yellowish or greyish, or simply lose gets old. At this point, we face the dilemma – what to do with old linens that are still of very good quality but no longer fit into your overall interior design?

Here are some of our favorite techniques for repurposing worn-out linen tablecloths.

Read More:

• How to Wash a Linen Tablecloth Safely and Effectively?
• Does Linen Shrink in the Dryer? Proper Care Tips
• How to Get Wrinkles Out of Linen Tablecloths?

Reuse Old Linens for Tea Towels

Perhaps to your surprise, but in the past, people used a natural linen cloth to clean their silverware and dishes. Linen cloth is highly moist absorbent and polishes glass, metal, or similar materials just perfectly.

As a result, old linen could be perfectly transformed into tea towels. Simple hem the edges after cutting the linen tablecloth into smaller pieces. It is completely up to you whether you want any embroidery. I have yet another wonderful gift idea for you!

Reuse Old Linens into Hand Towels

As already mentioned, linen is highly absorbent. So old linens could be transformed into premium towels. Simply by doubling (or tripling) the number of fabric layers, you can even increase the absorbency of such towels.

Such hand towels are also very easy to make; all you have to do is cut a piece of old linen cloth into the desired size of pieces. After that, stitch the edges together after adding as many layers as you like. Another adorable handmade antique gift could be made by adding some embroidery.

Handmade Sandwich Bags from old Linen

Plastic sandwich bags are so yesterday. Especially, when there are so many easy DIY projects on how to make a nice reusable bag from aged linens.

Cutting a piece of linen fabric, folding it, and stitching it together is as easy as ABC to make a sandwich bag! They also wick moisture away, preserve food for a longer period of time, and are environmentally friendly.

Reusable Lunch Bags

One of the simplest uses for worn-out or damaged linen fabrics is bags in general. We frequently use bags—mostly plastic ones—so it’s a good thing! The principle of making a lunch sack is just the same as making a sandwich. The size is the only variation.

Be resourceful and scour the thrift shops for some really nice old linens with patterns and bright colors. In this situation, your lunch bag won’t just be eco-friendly, reusable, and sustainable; it’ll also make you stand out from the crowd!

Store Your Bread in a Linen Bag

Making a reusable bread bag out of cloth is another way to cut down on the use of plastic. The concept of storing bread in a fabric bag is not new; people have known about this all-natural method of bread storage for a very long time.

In addition to being breathable and moisture-wicking, linen is also sanitizing. Bread that is kept in linen bags is kept fresher longer and doesn’t dry out. Additionally, making a bread bag is incredibly easy. Many quick and simple DIY projects can be found online. The only thing you should decide on is the size of it.

Make Decorative Gift Paper

How much money do we spend each year on boring, low-quality gift-wrapping paper? Considering all of this, why not give some old linen fabric a second chance by turning it into decorative wrapping paper? Damaged linens might make the ideal source of material for some distinctively decorative wrapping paper. Better yet, the more unusual the pattern and colors!

You can always use vibrant dyes, paints, and different embroidery to decorate them however you like if you have plain fabric that is too dull to wrap a gift. Such fabric wrap that resembles antiques is not only real but also environmentally friendly. One way to use fewer plastics each day is to switch from your usual plastic wrapping paper to linen. Additionally, this retro DIY gift wrapping is essentially cost-free!

Craft Yourself Some Nice Bed Pillow Shams

Craft a cover for your pillow from some antique grandma’s tablecloth – a free, sustainable, and chic decor element! To determine the appropriate size of inserts to sew, measure the size of your pillow. A cute option for decorating pillowcases is to use embroidered linen shams with names or significant dates for your family.

Fashion a Cross-Back Apron

In the kitchen, everyone needs an extra apron, and a tablecloth’s material is a perfect match for the space. There is no tying required and no need to worry about straps getting tangled up in the wash with a cross-back apron because it has attached straps that cross the back. Simply toss it over your head, adjust, and cook. Use an existing apron as a template (remember to include a seam allowance) and cotton webbing or grosgrain ribbon for the straps.

Picnic Blanket

You can make a waterproof picnic blanket out of a vinyl tablecloth with a flannel backing. You can upcycle other large pieces of fabric like an old sheet, curtain, or cotton tablecloth for the top side of the blanket.

• On a table or the floor, place the tablecloth with the vinyl side facing up.
• In order to avoid wrinkles, place the sheet on top of the tablecloth.
• To match the tablecloth’s size, cut the sheet to that measurement.
• The tablecloth and sheet should be pinned right sides together, leaving a 6- to 8-inch opening on one side.
• Aside from the opening you left, sew all the way around the tablecloth.
• Through the opening, turn the tablecloth and sheet right side out. (For the corners to turn completely, you might need a pencil.
• Close the opening by hand-stitching.
• To ensure that the seams will lay flat, use an iron to press the edges.

Final Words: Reuse Your Old Linen Tablecloths

An old linen tablecloth is a treasure trove for those who are waiting for some creativity, a pair of scissors, and a few stitches, especially considering that fabric can cost $10 to $15 or more per yard.

These creative uses for old linens are merely the summit of Mount Everest. Forgotten linens or towels can be transformed into contemporary decor items, such as an embroidered pillow sham for your bed, a hand or tea towel, a decorative napkin, gift wrap, a reusable bag, or a sustainable bag for your food products.

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