Customer Reviews

The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Kitchen Linens Book is a tribute to the past - to the women who made, used and loved their linens. EllynAnne encourages her readers to embrace the memories these linens hold, appreciate their handiwork, and "go green by going vintage." This is a beautiful book, worthy of sitting on anyone's coffee table. Don't, however, gloss over the stories in light of the stunning photography - they are a must read.

Being from the South myself, I have to tip my bonnet to EllynAnn. I felt like I was sitting in her kitchen and listening to her tell stories of her family (and others). The writing is so warm and friendly, you almost forget you are reading a book and not in her company. Additionally, I love the stories written by other women that she has woven throughout the pages. There are also tips, tricks, recipes and craft suggestion. But the heart and soul of this book, in my opinion, are the testimonies she gives about her tablecloths, napkins, dishtowels, aprons and more. Every word she writes drips with her love and admiration of the times in which the linens were made, the hard work that went into making them, and the lives their previous owners led.

To be fair, there was a disappointment. There were suggestions and ideas that she mention (like layering her linens) that sound amazing, but I could not picture how to do it (and I desperately want to know so I can recreate it) but there were no images of how this was done. It seems, considering how many lovely pictures this book contains, that there would be more pictures of the ideas she discusses.

Nevertheless, I adore this book. I am encouraged to pick up a little embroidery of my own. Maybe, a few generations from now, some woman will use my tea towel and honor my life the way EllynAnne has done for generations past.

This book is delightful and a must-have for your book collection.

LibraryThing Book Review - The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel
Note to readers: This book was received as part of the Early Reviewer's Group on LibraryThing. My thanks to LT and the publishers for a copy of the book. This review can also be found on LT.

This book is a celebration of the everyday textiles which are taken for granted, used, abused and often thrown out. Interspersed with memories from a range of people, a few recipes and ideas for using vintage linens, this is a sweetly nostalgic trip through the author's collection, and by extension, lifestyle. If you find the thought of entertaining friends with afternoon tea, dished up on a table dressed with hand-embroidered tablecloths and linen napkins, whilst wearing a 1950's apron completely alien, this is not the book for you. However, if you are interested in a celebration of an area of handwork that is often overlooked then this may well be of interest. This is not a serious text on textile history or sociology however.

The author gives a range of ideas for making use of vintage linens of all kinds, and many memories are shared of these pieces being used and loved over generations. One minor quibble - the author describes Scottish Terriers as being an English-bred dog. I think an entire nation of Scots may be offended by that one!

EllynAnne Geisel in an expert in the appreciation of vintage fabric and this new book is a great treasure. The Kitchen Linens Book, brings new life back to our old beautiful kitchen items. EllynAnne creates a style and art form, with color and texture from antique designs, that will send you hunting for old linens to spice up the elegance in your home. Her recipes will inspire you entertain with a fresh 1950's style and class, from picnics and tailgates to High Tea and Garden Parties. This book will make a lovely gift for a girlfriend, mother, sister, daughter: creating connections through the memories and the fabric of our lives we cherish. This book is a must have, if you love entertaining, very HIP.

I received this book through Library Thing's Early Reviewer Program. I didn't know what to expect, but it sounded kind of interesting (despite the fact that I'm not a sewer), and besides, there's a an adorable embroidered teacup lady on the cover.

What it turned out to be is an wonderfully readable appreciation of antique and vintage kitchen linens: tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons, and teatowels. Geisel is an expert on the subject, and has also written The Apron Book and Apronisms.

Chapter topics include discussions of the various fabrics used to make the items, different techniques for making them, and a plethora of uses, both mundane and unexpected during the past century or so. Interspersed throughout the narrative are short essays from other vintage linen aficionados describing their personal memories associated with kitchen linens. There are also some gorgeous colour photographs that made me want to run out to the nearest thrift or antique shop to see what I could find.

The book was a delight, and I recommend it to lovers of all things vintage and culinary, and also fiber lovers, including knitters (like me), crocheters, and sewers.

Thank you Ellynanne for another beautiful treasure in book form. You made me more aware of the value of these vintage linens and how timely! I just found some embroidered linens in my mother's things. After she passed away in Oct '08, I have been slow in going thru her things. I decided to do one box at a time and I found these lovely linens (table scarves - why dont we use these any more??) starched and folded just so.

I thank you again for a lovely book!

This book is a real treasure filled with beautiful photographs, yummy recipes, and dedications to the many talented women of days gone by. It makes you want to stop and really look at all the pieces of your past, whether it be an old recipe book, potholder or exquisite needlework in your own linen closet ... just imagine the journey they've taken through life and you'll never look at them the same again! This book is definately a work from the heart and EllynAnne has presented it beautifully! Thank you EllynAnne for bringing so many special memories of my childhood back to life!

I bought The Kitchen Linens Book for a dear friend but ended up reading the entire book before I mailed it to her! It was delightful. I love how the author intersperses heartfelt nostalgia with historic facts and practical suggestions for actually using vintage linens instead of hiding them in a drawer. Not all of us have time to carry this passion to the extreme that Ellyn does, but it's fun to imagine being a guest at one of her dinners or afternoon teas. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an appreciation for the linens of yesteryear.

EllynAnne inspired my love of Aprons...Now EllynAnne does it again with her Kitchen Linens book. Who doesn't remember the kitschy linens of our mothers and grandmothers? EllynAnne captures not only the memories of kitchens past, she allows you to share in a bit of nostalgia by including embroidery transfers for you to create your own heirlooms. Thanks EllynAnne for such a treasure!

xo
The Apronista

And every bit as fun is a book signing with EllynAnne. Don't miss her when she comes to your local bookstore--hilarious and passionate, she'll fill you with the spirit of generations of women and their legacies of lush embroidery. A true stand-up comedienne, she drawls out the best from our foremothers' linen drawers and leaves you in stitches!

This book would an excellent gift for mother's day or even for that new bride. This book is 145 pages long and contains beautiful pictures of vintage linens. This book gave me a greater appreciation of my grandmother's linens that I have inheirted and how to take care of those linens so that I can pass these linens down so my children and grandchildren can enjoy them. A detailed history of linens in this book. There are a few recipes in the book I have yet to try but they sound delicious. I enjoyed the section of Reinventing Kitchen Linens. As a bonus there is a vintage Butterwick Transfer pattern inside the back cover.