A Morning Spent Treasure Hunting

There is something wonderfully satisfying about treasure hunting. On Saturday morning, I went to Vintage Redefined Market to see what I could find to use in my work – mainly vintage linens, tablecloths, and all those beautiful textiles that carry the softness and patina of time.

Almost as soon as I walked in, I found a stall filled with vintage linens, some of them Irish. I happily spent time going through the piles and came away with a few bundles at a very good price. Already pleased with my finds, I continued down the aisle.

A few stalls later, there was another collection waiting for me and, there, I picked up several packages of napkins, especially drawn to the heavier linen pieces. I have always loved linens with substance and weight to them, fabrics that feel beautiful in the hand and seem to tell stories through their texture alone.

As I wandered further, I came across more tablecloths, tea towels, handkerchiefs, and embroidered pieces. Some were too patterned for the way I like to work, and others already carried elaborate embroidery. Since I usually cut these textiles apart and transform them into something new, I can never quite bring myself to cut into heavily embellished pieces, so those remained behind for someone else to treasure.

Some of the linens have small marks or stains from years of use, and strangely enough, those are often the pieces I love the most. I find myself imagining family gatherings around the table – shared meals, laughter, conversations stretching long into the evening. These old textiles hold traces of lives lived and moments shared. While many people pass them by, seeing only worn fabric, I see history, memory, and beauty softened by time.

I like to think that by incorporating these forgotten pieces into my work, I am honouring their stories and giving them new life, allowing them to continue to be appreciated and enjoyed for years to come.

I walked on a few more minutes, and I found exactly what I had been hoping for.

Three truly old linen pieces – heavy, beautifully worn, and perfectly softened by time. The kind of linen that immediately sparks ideas. Of course, those came home with me, along with a small French tablecloth and three napkins. And somehow, the entire collection came with a fantastic price tag attached.

Happy with my growing pile of treasures, I continued wandering through the aisles, passing vintage clothing, vinyl records, old books, endless jewelry, and all sorts of curious and unusual objects. Before leaving, I also picked up two large bags of buttons to add to the collection.

Back home, I spread everything across the couch, sorted buttons into jars, and began dreaming about future pieces and possibilities.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning.

Thanks for reading, until I write again, I’m off to work on a few more samples,

Ana