I am at Farm Chicks right now. I thought I would share my adventure last Sunday when I hit a sale for half price day. I had scoped out the sale on Saturday and bought a couple of things. I was entranced with the linen closet at this house as it held tons of vintage towels...many with original tags still attached.
I headed over last Sunday about half an hour before the sale opened. I was number two in line and I knew I was heading straight towards the linen closet/towels to see what was left for half price.
Time to dig!
I had the linen closet to myself. I got a stack of bath towels, bath rugs, hand towels and wash clothes. The colors are some of my favorites. I paid $16.50 for my stack.
In addition to the great colors, I was attracted to the towels as I think they are from the 40s. The patterns speak of that time period and I don't find patterns like this often.
Wash cloths
Vintage bath mat. Quite a few of the items are monogrammed, but that doesn't bother me. This woman's first name was Gertie.
I got the bath mat in two colors.
Two colors in this design as well on these hand towels.
It was so funny to see the original prices tags on some of these items. I can't imagine having towels and such sit in a linen closet for 60 years or so without using them, or purging them. 15 cents to $1.25...what an era!
A couple of variations of some great flowers.
This one is a different style than the other towels, but it still had to come home with me.
Such a fun pastel colored pile.
I do love a good linen closet!
I love a good linen closet, too, but I'm the one digging for the tablecloths and kitchen towels. I don't think I've ever seen such a treasure trove of bath towels like you found - they will be awesome in your new bathroom. It goes to show you that we so often put things away for "nice" or "later" and that can turn into years. I'm a quilter and when I give a quilt as a gift, I tell people they are meant to be used!
Posted by: JoyceG | June 07, 2014 at 08:12 AM
Bravo to JoyceG! Even now when I buy vintage embroidered pillowcases I use them until they fall apart! My mother had a little box of wedding gifts that she never used or enjoyed...she was saving them for her "dream house" that never came. I inherited some of those treasures and have them on display. It sometimes makes me sad to think she never got to enjoy them.
Posted by: shirley hatfield | June 07, 2014 at 08:58 AM
Those are great linens. Your colors and your style, perfect. Re: save things or not, my mother used her good china and sterling silver every day. Even put them in the dishwasher, once she had one.
Posted by: Annette | June 07, 2014 at 09:17 AM
What a pretty stack! And rare to find those tags still attached! For some reason I never have luck with buying linens at sales. They always smell like moth balls. And so no matter how long I soak them, I can't get that smell out. I've had to throw some really pretty things away. Tips? Or hasn't that happened to you? Is your tip "Don't buy things that smell like moth balls"!?? LOL
Erica :)
Posted by: Erica | June 07, 2014 at 05:50 PM
I'm beyond jealous!!! I LOVE old bath towels and wash cloths. There is just something about the colors and patterns. Isn't it amazing that people hold on to them for so many years? They are going to go so well in your bathroom. Lucky you!
Posted by: Melissa | June 07, 2014 at 06:07 PM
What fun! Totally perfect for you lovely bathroom. Like Erica, I'd love tips about getting out moth ball smells too. I brought home the prettiest table runner for my vintage enamel table. It's going to be heading to the utility tub for a good soaking.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | June 07, 2014 at 06:16 PM
Ooooh, I love these. Hope you all are having fun at Farm Chicks. Can't wait to see what you bring home.
Posted by: mary scott | June 07, 2014 at 08:15 PM
Meier and Frank! What great taste Gertie had! Only you would stare at the estate sale pix and spy vintage towels! Good eye Miss Ethel!
Posted by: Tammy | June 07, 2014 at 08:19 PM
Great score! I adore the old floral towels and wonder why those are not made anymore. Used ones kind of creep me out but I always buy when they are "new".
Are you going to be home in time to hit the Clean Sweep sale tomorrow? I am going back for a second dig and saw some thing I thought you would like. I will grab them if you can't make it.
Posted by: Kathy | June 07, 2014 at 09:05 PM
Such pretty colors! I have to admit, I don't think I have ever been tempted by towels at a sale. But, these great old ones that have never been used are great. Love the colors!
Posted by: Shara | June 07, 2014 at 09:23 PM
What a great find! Can't believe that you found some with price tags still on them. Sure do love those vintage colors. Wish they still made towels like those with those nifty colors and prints on them! Glad you saved them. A friend of Phil's up in Creswell was using vintage linens and unused vintage towels in his barn as rags!!! :-o I stopped him in his tracks and he let me rummage through a huge container of them. The pic of these towels in the linen closet made me think of that time.
Hope you had a great time at Farm Chicks!
Posted by: Doreen | June 08, 2014 at 05:33 PM
These towels seemed to have dried dishes much better! I use the old ones from my mom for baby bibs! What a gorgeous collection. Another challenge: beautiful printed tablecloths! I have at least two that are winners! Thank you for showing us your collections! Betty in Arlington
Posted by: Betty in Arlington | June 09, 2014 at 03:30 AM
You have the mojo. I can ever remember going somewhere and finding anything in the towels that hadn't been used already. I hope you are your mom are having a great time.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | June 09, 2014 at 06:19 AM
Awesome! Love the graphics and colours.
I just found a bag of my mom's "calendar towels" in the garage when doing a final cleanup before the new owners take possession of their home. Brings back memories, that's for sure!
Posted by: Maureen | June 10, 2014 at 09:39 AM