Sewing

I love a good reduce, reuse, recycle project and I had one this past weekend. I try every year to find a full, largely ignored box and reassess its contents. I was packing up holiday decorations when I came across one such largely ignored box. It contained scarves, a few hats and some tablecloths, none of which had been used in many years.

Tablecloths are funny. I like the idea of them, but I just don’t tend to use them, especially if they’re patterned. Just too busy somehow. In the box were three blue and white patterned tablecloths from my parents’ house. They were used a lot in the summers when I was younger, if I recall correctly. Often in the sun room. They were well-loved and I liked the thought of them being present for a variety of interesting conversations and loud laughter.

I had kept them all this time thinking maybe I would use them, but when I pulled them out I found they were rather stained. My neighbor told me that the local high school has a textile recycling bin, so that was an option to consider, and I really didn’t want to put them in a landfill.

Then I had an epiphany. A way to give them new life. Napkins! I’ll take the good looking parts and turn them into napkins!

It was a delightful project. I washed and dried them all, then ripped out the good parts, throwing the stained section to the floor where Harlow promptly plopped herself.

I vaguely measured them to be 18in square. Are they now square? No, but they still look good, and I’m so glad the tablecloths can be used again.