A favorite way for me to use stained and torn vintage tablecloths is to turn them into pretty dishtowels. I always found it hard to pass up pretty old tablecloths spotted at yard sales. Some had holes, others stained beyond usability. But this old material is the best cotton and linen that you’ll find anywhere, so into my buy pile they’d go. So, what to do with these ? Turn them into colorful little dishtowels, using the fabric that isn’t damaged.
Simply cut into your ideal shape and trim with bias tape. If you want to get really fancy, like we did here, make your own bias tape with contrasting fabric.
You can find bias tape makers at your local fabric shop, and they come complete with directions on how to make your own.
Your kitchen will be smiling in no time.
You can find this and more fun projects in my book: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.
Images by John Granen
IT'S ME, SERENA!
I bounced through the first years of my life in a hippie gypsy wagon, hand-built by my father, wandering the back roads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. My family eventually settled into a tiny cabin in the woods on property that was once inhabited by Native American Indians.
I spent my childhood days searching for arrowheads, teaching myself to sew on a treadle sewing machine and to bake in a wood-burning stove, with no running water, refrigeration, or electricity in our home. My family lived frugally and early on, inspired by my parent’s thriftiness and style, I gained a knack for thrifty creativity and turning ordinary objects into something useful. And I dreamed of the home I would create for my own family someday.
Now I’m married to my husband, Colin, and our children are all grown. After 24 years of producing The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair, I'm spending time visiting other markets around the world. You can watch episodes of Serena Goes to Market here.
I share more about my life story from time to time, here on my blog. You can also find me on Instagram, and Facebook.
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COPYRIGHT 2026
THE FARM CHICKS
P.O. BOX 9866
SPOKANE, WA 99209
COPYRIGHT 2026
THE FARM CHICKS
P.O. BOX 9866
SPOKANE, WA 99209