I wanted to show you the wonderful gift that my dear Mom made for Kassidy this Christmas.She asked Kassidy what her favorite colors are to decorate her room...Kass said pink, orange and apple green.
Mom asked her a few months ago and we didn't think any more of it until Christmas morning...
...when Kassidy unwrapped two lovely pillowcases, hand embroidered by her Grandma.
My Mom has embroidered several things for me over the years but this is the first gift to Kassidy and she loves them.I think they're beautiful and so feminine. I've always loved this "southern belle" pattern.
I have a queen sheet and 2 pillow cases that my great Aunt Edith embroidered for me in this same pattern. She made them for my wedding (28 years ago) and I still have them in the original box...I didn't want to use them. I wanted to keep them nice. She wanted me to use them. I have mixed feelings about if I did the right thing in not using them. I didn't honor the wish of my aunt and now she is gone but I still have the wonderful gift that she gave to me.
Mom wants Kassidy to use these pillowcases...and we thought that maybe she could use one of them and keep the other as a wonderful keepsake from her Grandma.
I normally believe in using everything that I love especially if it's vintage...I really enjoy that....but I have to admit that the last set of "days of the week" dishtowels that my Mom embroidered for me have not been used.
All the others that she made me, I use and think of her everytime I do.
I use them in my kitchen and I also have a set in my trailer that I use every camping trip.
Of course Mom would like me to use all of them...she says that's why she made them for me.
What are your thoughts about it? Maybe you can help us decide...
27 comments:
Lori - I say use them. I have some enbroidered pillowcases my mom made for me when I was very young. They're a little threadbare, but you can still read my name embroidered in green satin stitch. I made a set of "days of the week" tea towels while in junior high. I was going to keep them, but decided to use them after I got married. Imagine my horror when my husband used one to wipe off the BBQ!!!!!! On that note, I agree with keeping the tea towels. How awesome of your Mom and how lucky is Kassidy. Thanks for sharing.
Lori, you must read my post of today. I wrote about the gift my great Aunt Edith gave me. How funny is that...first that we both have a great Aunt Edith and second, that we both wrote on the same day about gifts that they had given us. You gotta love it!
I ADORE those beautiful pillow cases that your mom made for Kassidy. She is one very loved and lucky little girl! I especially love the colors she that she used and the way the ruffle makes the bottom of the skirt on the southern belle.
I know what you mean. . .! Because you treasure them so. . . you don't want to use them up!. Maybe if there was a way you could "use" them by displaying them somehow. . . then they are getting "used". . . but not "used up"! (?) . . . They are lovely (& at least you know have photo's of them . . . to remember!)
Hope you have a great week!
xo, Bren
Such a personal choice. Everytime you use them, you think of that special person. But then they get worn out, and lose some of the original beauty. If it was me, I would use them and let them be loved, especially if that was your mother's request.
Maybe a special towel rack for the towels. That way you can enjoy them and don't have to necessarily use them. Some of my things I inherited because they were taken care of for years. A pillowcase won't get the same abuse that a tea towel. Use the pillowcase -how pretty will they be on a bed. Display the towels.
How pretty! I think you already have a great idea--use one and keep one--then everybody's happy. :)
I think they need to be used as the giver wanted them. The gifts were made from love and a desire to have them beautify your house or room. Let sweet dreams and happy memories come from the gifts so lovingly created. When the pillowcases become some threadbare that they can't be used then your daughter will have known how much love her grandmother had for her and that she wanted her dreams to be beautiful and full of life and love. What greater gift could there be to catch the tears of happiness or sorrow--to cradle the head of dreamers in their slumbers? And when the towels are dingy, gray and starting to rip then you'll know that through the years all the messes and dryings were cleaned up with the help of your mother.
Please use all the treasures now. They will bring you and the giver more joy than languishing in a box somewhere.
I have several embroidered dresser scarves and pillowcases from my mother. Yes, they are not in fashion and will gradually become worn, but using them fills me with great joy.
I always love making things for my friends and family but hate it tuck away and not enjoyed. Maybe she could use them on the holidays. Or put pillows in them and set them on the bed but don't really use them, set aside at bed time.
I would use them some , and them just put them out to show. very pretty and alot of heart felt value to them.! Connie from grannyssewingroom
What a truly awesome gift. I like your idea of using one and keeping one. Enjoy them now is what Grandma's always want.
I used the pillowcases from my Aunt that we got when we were married 33 years ago and my husband's has worn out terribly. I think I could cut off the edging and put it on another pillowcase, but have never done it yet. I buy him his own pillowcase now and keep the fancy ones for me. I like the idea to put them out and not use them to sleep on, then they still be pristine for her later in life.
How about using them on extra pillows for decoration!
Blessings,
Lorilee
As far as the pillow cases go, I would use them on her bed but I wouldn't use them as my sleeping pillow. I'd hate to drool or get make-up (that I forgot to take off) all over them. That way you can see them on her bed and they will stay nice longer.
It's always hard to use things that people make for you but, I always encourage people to actually use the baby quilts I make them. I don't want them hung on a wall or kept in a box. I want the baby to actually use it and love it to death. That's the intent of a handmade quilt, it needs to be used and loved. That's what makes us love those antique quilts. Right? They were used and loved.
The embroidered pillowcases your mom made for Kassidy are beautiful! Thaqt is a really good idea to use one and save one. Your mom willk be pleased to see Kassidy use her pillowcase.
these are just stunning and to get them from your grandmother is just a wonderful keepsake. I am sure your daughter will cherish them.. btw. I think your Aunt would love if you used them they are for you and for you to appreciate..so enjoy opening that box and put them on your bed..sweet dreams
That is hard! I handquilt baby quilts all the time and it would hurt my feelings if they were put up and never used! Maybe Kass. could use one and save one! One nose bleed could damage it so she could have one to save! Your mother does beautiful work! A very special lovely gift!!
Libby
The embroidered pillowcases are just so pretty, and what a lovely gift from your mom.
Micki
It is hard to use a family heirloom really. This sunbonnet belle is darling and the stitching is perfection. I don't know what I'd do with them since I'd be afraid to use them.
Oh what beautiful pillow cases! Your Mom does lovely work ... what treasures! It sounds like it would bring both her and Kassidy great joy, so I vote to use them ... at least one of them!
Use one...keep the other. I have a beautiful hand-applique'd quilt made for me by my Grandmother about 20 years ago. We use it...a lot...and now I wish, wish, wish, I had just kept it on a shelf. Especially with stitchery and applique' those should be preserved.
I have some dishtowels from my mother-in-law too...she wants me to use them...but I just can't bear to!
My father's family had 11 kids so I'm one of many, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. My grandmother made me one set of pink flowered emb. pillowcases. The pillowcases can be found on my bed for my husband and I. It always makes me smile and remember my sweet little grandmom who has been gone for about 10 years now every time I look at them.
I still have an unused set of day of the week embroidered dishtowels from my Grandmother who has been gone over 30 years. I just enjoy them and am worried they will be ruined if they are used. Just me....
Lori,
I think all your decisions are fine. The idea to use one pillowcase and save the other is great! And saving the last set of embroidered towels is also good. It's like saving a part of the person. Recently I came across a set of embroidered pillowcases given to us as a wedding gift. They are well used and the embroidery thread has worn away in many places. Some folks might toss them but not me. They are a reminder of the cousin who gave them to me and I know that it was her grandmother who made them! We all have things we treasure. :-)
Out of site, out of mind. I say use them with love. Everytime I use my grandmother's quilt, I know what she did...
And having repaired a well loved and used quilt, my grandmother would be proud
I think you should use them. They were made with love and by using them you will be surrounded by that love.
I would use them. I have many things like this too. I used them while that person was alive. After they passed away, I display them & treasure them but I rarely use them anymore.
Another thing I'm working on is a scrapbook showing things that were made by family members & telling that object's story. Another great way to keep treasures!
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