Thrift Store Finds I Couldn’t Resist
May 29, 2026
Good morning! I have such a fun project to share today. A few months ago, I purchased gorgeous unused set of twelve 22-inch linen napkins with a pretty eyelet hem at the thrift store—all twelve for just $10! The next week, at the same thrift store, I found another set of linen napkins, and then a week later, another set of twelve! I couldn’t believe my luck. Let me show you what I did with them!
- Floss: DMC 6 strand floss in Turkey Red. I used color #304.
- Needles: One package #8 embroidery needles. My favorites are made by John James.
- You can find suitable designs from coloring books and children's books and also from Penny Square books that have been reprinted and are still available. For these I'd ask my local quilting shop first, but they are sold on Amazon, and you can also check out eBay. You can also find free patterns on the internet. Finding the patterns is the fun part!
- Light Box: This is so helpful but not necessary.
- Transfer pen: Use a water soluble pen made for fabric.
- Embroidery hoop: I prefer the old fashioned wood hoops because they have great "grip".
- Transfer the embroidery pattern onto your napkins using a water soluble pen. A light box helps with this but is not necessary.
- Using a hoop and 2 strands of the 6 stand floss, embroider your square using the following stitches:
- Basic Stem Stitch--use for outlining 95% of the time.
- Lazy Daisy Stitch--use for leaves and flowers
- French Knot--use for flowers and tiny details
- Chain Stitch--use when you want a more pronounced line than the stem stitch.
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| This might be my favorite. |
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| These old fashioned gingerbread men are the cutest! |
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| All of them were fun to make. |
This set of twelve linen damask napkins is very similar to my grandmother’s pattern. They were like new, with no stains at all, and priced at just $10 for the entire set. I know they are old, but I don’t think they were used very often.
My grandmother purchased her own set of eighteen sometime in the 1920s or 1930s, and they have been in continuous use ever since. Linen wears like iron. My mother remembered the napkins on the table when she was a little girl. I remember sitting excitedly at large family Thanksgiving dinners, and the ritual of carefully unfolding the crisp, ironed linen, letting it drape over my lap.
Later, my mother inherited them and used them for many years before passing them along to me decades ago. I love using them and hope my grandmother, whom I never met, would be pleased to know how cherished they still are. I think of her every time I pull them from the drawer.
My grandmother’s napkins are a generous 24 inches square, a size that fits comfortably in the lap. They wash beautifully, iron easily, and have never felt too precious to use regularly.
Still, after nearly a century of faithful service, they are beginning to show their age. As sturdy as linen is, I’ve started noticing tiny pinholes here and there, and a few have grown into proper holes. Several have already been retired to the rag bag, so I was thrilled to find this set to help supplement my grandmother’s collection.
Naturally, I assumed I was finished buying napkins. But the very next week I found yet another perfect set — twelve more 24-inch damask linen napkins, embroidered with our initial, for just $8. Clearly, this was a sign that I needed one more set.
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| This set has a pretty fleur-de-lis pattern. |
As for linen care, many of us have inherited lovely linens and china, but their sometimes-tedious upkeep isn't always appreciated these days. I'm one of those people who doesn't mind ironing, but I read an article years ago about a woman who said she loved her grandmother's linens, but if they were ever to be used in her home, they would have to go on the table wrinkled because she simply didn't iron.
I love that sentiment. Unironed, rumpled linen has a cozy, welcoming charm that feels perfectly suited to modern entertaining. So why not take away the pressure of perfection and dress your table with gorgeous rumpled linen?
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| The dahlias have arrived! |
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| We are enjoying our little fellow so much. |
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| Not exactly a thrift store find--something new from Walmart, the Agatha pattern from the Pioneer Woman. I thought these were so pretty in brown, but I also loved them in red and blue. It was difficult to choose! |
When I go to the trouble of making stuffed potatoes for dinner, I always make extra for the freezer. They freeze beautifully and reheat so easily!
The recipe changes depending on what I have on hand, but it always starts with baked potatoes, cooled slightly and then cut in half. While the potatoes are still warm, I scoop the potato from the shells and place it in a large bowl. Add melted butter, milk, salt, and pepper, then mash until you have a firm mashed potato mixture.
Next, stir in sautéed vegetables of your choice and whatever grated cheese you like best or have on hand. Mix well, then refill the potato shells. I topped these with a half slice of spicy cheese before placing them on a cutting board in the freezer to flash freeze.
Once frozen solid — check after about 3–4 hours — transfer them to a large freezer bag and use within 3 months.
To reheat, I prefer to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, though they can also sit on the counter for a few hours to defrost. Once defrosted, they heat nicely in the microwave, toaster oven or conventional oven. For a quick dinner, I usually serve them with a piece of grilled fish or chicken and maybe a salad. It makes such an easy and cozy dinner.
If you'd like to eliminate a good amount of calories or dairy altogether, omit the butter, milk and cheese and add well flavored chicken stock instead. The flavors and texture will still be wonderful but with less fat and calories.
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| Ready for the freezer! |
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| I had so much fun with my Christmas napkins, I bought linen placemats that will one day have an autumn vibe. |
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