15 Brilliant uses for Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

15+ Genius Ways to Use Vintage Bed Sheets

Lately I’ve been a bit obsessed with all things vintage. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed me sharing lots of my favorite finds. My love of vintage bed sheets may or may not have become intervention-worthy, but I can’t wait to share these 15 genius ideas for repurposing vintage sheets!

Why I Love Vintage Linens

My mother is a quilter and because of that, I’ve developed an appreciation for vintage quilts, afghans, fabrics and linens.

The deliciously soft texture of the worn fabric, the delightful colors and patterns just make me smile.

Since I’ve become somewhat of a minor hoarder, I’ve been doing a lot of research on how to upcycle these lovely finds.

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Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing simple ideas for upcycling items that have a lot of life left in them with you here. You’re not going to want to miss a single thing, I promise!

Inspirational ideas for upcycling beautiful Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

What to Do with Vintage Bed Sheets

Today, I’m going to focus specifically on vintage bedding. Below are more than 15 inspirational ideas for repurposing these treasures, plus ways to score your own fabulous vintage floral sheets.

Pennants and Bunting – Years ago I bought a beautiful bunting made from vintage sheets. Not only does this come out to decorate every birthday party for both of my girls, but it hangs on the wall of my daughter’s bedroom every other day of the year.

bunting made from vintage sheets

bunting made from vintage sheets

Source: Raising Up Rubies

bunting made from vintage sheets

Source: The Joye

Clothing – I’m so charmed by these beautiful clothes made from vintage sheets and fabrics. How gorgeous are these tea-length bridesmaids dresses?!

dresses made from vintage sheets

Source: Naughty Shorts

And, I absolutely love this idea for upcycling scraps into a darling sundress for girls.

vintage sheet sun dress for kids

Source: etsy.com

vintage sheet sun dress for kids

Source: Flickr

vintage sheet sun dress for kids

Source: Flickr

 

I can’t imagine a better use for the super–soft texture of vintage sheets. Pajama pants are the ultimate lounging luxury, don’t you think?

I tried my hand at making pajama pants from vintage sheets recently and my girls and I LOVE them. And who doesn’t want to match their mom? Uh, yes please!

We will definitely be adding more pairs of these cozy, repurposed vintage linen sleep pants to our collection soon.

Even better? I was able to make three pairs of mommy-and-me matching sets for less than $1 total. Score!

Sew pajama pants from vintage sheets

vintage sheet pajama pants

Source: The Vintage Sheet Blog

vintage sheet bedding

Source: RoseHip

Bedding – This seems like perhaps the most obvious idea for reusing old sheets, but I don’t see it done nearly enough! Just look how beautiful and colorful these quilts are. Can you imagine how soft they must be?!

With a little thread and time, you can take a king sheet and turn it into a perfectly sweet twin bed skirt or patchwork quilt!

quilt made from vintage sheets

Source: Anyone Can Quilt

bedding made from vintage sheets

Source: The Vintage Sheet Blog

Pillows – Another great idea for upcycling old bed linens is to sew pillow shams or throw pillows. This idea is especially great if you only have a remnant to work with.

I can picture pairing these with a vintage quilt or contrasting it against solid bedding. How darling!

vintage sheet pillow case

Source: Babble

Fitted Sheets – How sweet for a baby nursery – making fitted crib sheets! It’s easy to make something unisex with vintage bedding, the colors are sweet whether you’re having a boy or a girl!

vintage fitted sheet

Source: Babiease

Aprons – How adorable are these? Wouldn’t these be perfect for a girl’s bake shop birthday party? And anything that makes cooking together more fun, I’m all about.

vintage sheet apron

Source: The Farm Chicks

Basket Liners – Wouldn’t vintage basket liners be adorable in a laundry hamper, or a bedroom or linen closet? They’d also do a great job tying together a playroom or kids’ room.

vintage sheet basket liner

Source: Retro Revival Biz

Doll Accessories – When I was a little girl, my best friend’s mom made me sleeping bags for my Cabbage Patch dolls that I loved so much! Perhaps it’s why I’m smitten with these!

vintage sheet doll accessories

Source: Flossie Tea Cakes

And, how stinkin’ sweet is this doll-sized quilt and sham made from vintage fabrics? Even better, make one to match your girl’s bedding so they can twin!

vintage doll bedding

Source: Nana Company

Photography Props – It makes my heart happy to see these beautiful finds used as photography props. There’s something so pure and sweet about them.

My talented friend at Little Fawn Photography took this lovely portrait – you can see how vintage sheets are perfect for outdoor and newborn photography!

15 Brilliant uses for Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

Source: Little Fawn Photography

Here is another example of how to use my vintage bunting that I mentioned earlier. It makes such a darling photo prop! It’s easy to make in so many different colors for any time of year.

5m bow birthday cake smash

And, can you imagine a sweet newborn photo in this miniature bed with a vintage quilt and pillow?

15 Brilliant uses for Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

Source: Nana Company

Tablecloths – If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ve likely seen me use vintage linens as tablecloths.

Such an easy and inexpensive way to swap out your table coverings by season or occasion for handmade vintage table linens that your guests will adore.

15 Brilliant uses for Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

Summer Cocktails | Five Marigolds

Ways to Score Your Own Vintage Linens

Now that you’re inspired to use vintage linens in your own home, you may be wondering where you can get some.

Of course, you could raid your grandmother’s linen closet, but if you’re like me, you couldn’t bear to cut those up! They’re way too sentimental.

Instead, I’ve had some success finding them at thrift stores, vintage shops and flea markets. Depending on the size, pattern, and condition of the sheet, you can expect to pay anywhere between $7-$18 per sheet.

If driving around town in search of the perfect pattern isn’t your idea of a good time, I highly recommend visiting Etsy. There you’ll find that the store owners have done all of the work for you. The fabric is handpicked, cleaned and shows up at you door. What’s not to love?

It just so happens that I have my own shop where I’m de-stashing some of my own vintage finds that may be exactly what you need for your vintage sheet DIY!

Please check it out and let me know what you think of my finds! I’d love to help make your project a reality with the perfect vintage linens!

15 Brilliant uses for Vintage Sheets and Linens | Five Marigolds

Source: Heart Handmade UK

Do you have other ideas for reusing vintage bed linens and fabrics? Let me know in the comments below!

16 thoughts on “15+ Genius Ways to Use Vintage Bed Sheets

  1. homeboundbuthopeful says:

    I have a stash of vintage bedding I’ve scored at thrift shops and garage sales simply because I love the prints so much… Thanks for all these great ideas to actually start using them!

  2. Naomi S. says:

    This is a wonderful post of examples of upcycling and thrift! My favorites are the little girl dresses. SO cute. Gotta get out my sewing machine and raid the linen closet! And I have no problem spending a day thrift store shopping!

  3. Charleen says:

    Found this article about vintage sheets on Pinterest. Darling little girls dresses.Vintage sheets are so happy!Bright and beautiful. I wish sheet manufacturers would make pretty sheets .

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