Vintage Linen

I recently decided to organize all my table linens—you know, tablecloths and what not. Since I’m the only granddaughter on both sides of my parents vast European family, and the only one interested in the crocheted, lace, needlepoint and other hand crafted items previous generations prized—I’ve had so much passed down to me that even I don’t know what I have anymore!

With my mom visiting I thought it would be nice to finally attach stories to the various pieces in my collection…then we came across this:

It’s a rough woven linen (obviously hand woven), and very nicely embroidered…the question is by who? My mom seems to think this may have come from one of my great aunts, since my grandmother on that side wasn’t much for needlework…for me, I can’t see it hanging in my house, or gracing my table but I can see it as an apron.

After some debate I decided to try to find some matching fabric and turn it into an apron, but I’ve been having a hard time matching up the texture…and I’m a bit apprehensive about sewing it into an apron. I feel like I’ve been entrusted with a piece of history and I should save it in its original format.

At the same time, I feel like I should use everything I have and enjoy it. After all, women all those generations ago made these things to use, not to store away and forget about.

I’d love to know what you think about this. To turn it into an apron or not? To save or to use?