There are hundreds and hundreds of fancy (and not so fancy) vintage and
antique tablecloths, towels, tea towels, bedspreads, handkerchiefs, and
linens of all sorts on eBay. Embroidered, printed, crocheted, tatted,
fringed, woven, plaid, striped, plain, and everything you can think of.
You can buy them individually or as part of a big lot, and in
conditions ranging from perfect to awful.
I was buying embroidered tablecloths to make into skirts for awhile, at
great prices, but after buying eight or so within a few days I gave up
browsing the textiles. There were just too many. But if you look under
Collectibles/Linens, Fabric and Textiles or Antiques, Textiles and
Linens (the latter are generally pricier items), you'll never have to
spend hours at a flea market again--just in front of your computer.
I had the sense to do a search on "tea towels," after I posted. Irish
Linen tea towels appear to have been popular since the early 1970s,
judging by the fact that some are dated (because they're printed with
calendars for the year). There are scads on eBay, though most are
printed with very tacky designs. I didn't find any William Morris ones
(even though I've just worn out four in my kitchen, bought from museum
catalogs at different times). If anyone is interested, many of the
towels are listed on eBay for about $5, and they are very effective as
hand and dish towels.
I got three printed with Book of Kells designs which are a bit bright
for my taste, but that will fade as they get beat up and washed every
week (the reason why I passed up all the vintage embroidered ones
listed--we use the towels heavily). Also one printed with a picture of
the Louvre (tea towels seem to be popular tourist items).
Then someone on h-costume, whose message I accidentally deleted, kindly
sent me a link to the online store of the Country Dance and Song
Society, where you can buy the Book of Kells towels:
http://www.cdss.org/sales/holiday.html
But if anyone knows anywhere in the US to get more William Morris tea
towels (I did find some places in England), please let me know.
Fran
Lavolta Press
http://www.lavoltapress.com
Lloyd Mitchell wrote:
Fran, the only time I have seen any that might be as you describe is at
antique flea markets...such as Brimfield in Ma.
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