Have you seen the supposed new Balenciaga handbag that’s gone viral? It looks exactly like a plastic grocery bag (because it actually is a plastic bag), and people went wild over it thinking that it was like many of the recent designs from the brand. In any case, that silly little plastic shopping bag got me thinking about this photo:
This impractical little lace shopping bag popped up in one of the many fashion newsletters that I subscribe to, and I immediately loved it. I’ll tell you why.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably inherited more vintage tablecloths that you can possibly use in a lifetime. And if you visit resale stores or garage sales, you probably see a lot of these tablecloths for re-sale. Or you have a stash of them at home, waiting for you to use them or to save them for the next generation. But I’m not a big tablecloth user–I prefer a more casual style of dining, like so many other people today.
So why not cut up the less precious or the already damaged styles and make them into cool bags like these photos? Maybe you wouldn’t use them as actual shopping bags they way they’re depicted in some of these photos, but they would make a fun and interesting handbag.
I’m pretty sure that a vintage crochet tablecloth wouldn’t actually support a bunch or oranges or a large grocery haul, but they would make a playful and conversational handbag. With or without a lining, the texture is great, and it contrasts nicely with clothing like the trench coat, above. You could also take a bag like this to the beach and you wouldn’t even track sand home afterwards!
I love the peekaboo quality of the lace. I use nylon shopping bags like this shape on a daily basis–they fold up into nothing inside my handbag for regular stops at the market or the supermarket. But a lacey bag like this would make my shopping trips feel special! I think that’s why the shopping bag shape and the crocheted lace feel so playful to me: they’re a funny mixture of practical and impractical.
You could also use an old crochet tablecloth or lacey shower curtain to sew simple clothing like these two tops. Aren’t they fun? After all, what are we saving them for?
Would you cut up an old tablecloth like this? What would you make with it?
(Photos are all from my Sewing for Me Pinterest folder if you’re interested in viewing them together. )
That is interesting. A few years ago, I was teaching and my student wanted to make a tote bag out of lace. Her daughter in fashion school had seen one and thought it looked cool. The woman bought some lace online and we fashioned a tote bag from it. We added a sheer lining and did French seams so it was pretty inside and out. I wish I had some photos of it, it turned out pretty cool.
That sounds amazing! Thanks for writing to tell us about it.
There are a number of online shops that sell really sweet shirts and dresses made out of vintage tablecloths, embroidered dresser scarves and linen dish towels. The Oliver & S camp-shirt pattern would be perfect for this project. I’ve made a couple things so far: a sundress for my granddaughter using an embroidered pillowcase for the bodice, and a couple blouses for myself, one out of linen pillowcases and another out of a pale pink damask tablecloth. Fun!
How cool! Thanks for telling us!
I made myself bags from old net curtains like the one in the image with apples. I use them instead of thin plastic bag. These bag can hold quit a lot of load.
https://evule-kotule.blogspot.com/2017/04/stare-zaclony-na-prodej.html
Those are beautiful!
I made a shirt out of an old embroidered tablecloth and it turned out beautifully as the embroidery was substantial and I was able to make the back and the sleeves by using the tablecloth fabric on the bias so as not to lose any of the embroidery. I used your classic shirt pattern and made a couple of tweaks to it but it was perfect (actually that is my go-to shirt pattern and then I change up the sleeves or collar when I want a different look). I don’t know if the link to my Instagram account will work so you can see it but….