More Heirlooms.

 So the other day I was biffing out our linen pile. Getting rid of some threadbare sheets and tired pillow covers. I came across three more of my Grand mothers hand sewn lovelies. 

There is a pair of pink pillow covers.

As you see they don't have Grans signature daisies but a very pretty cherry blossom.

I've pulled them to the top of the pile and I plan to use them.

They are a little faded, but I can live with that.

Here is a closer look at the beautiful stitches.

As I said there is a pair of these. I remember Mum using them and had forgotten that they had come to NZ with me.

Also tucked away in the back of our walk in closet was this poor thing.

I recall this being on my bed at Grans house. At one time I guess it was on Mums bed at the same house as Mum loved yellow and I was sleeping in her old bed when I stayed over.

A long time ago.

It wasn't stained or torn then.

And the daisies still had their stems.

There are what appears to be blood stains all over the back side and a few holes also.

It's very faded. I recall it being a stronger yellow colour. This image is washed out, in real life it is a little more yellow, though not as yellow as the table cloth of Mums that I recently completed.

The missing stems I can replace, the perished hardanger stitches, maybe. But what to do about all the holes and stains?

What to do??

Current thinking is to cut away the Oxford edge which is attached Hardanger style and is already falling off. As I was unfolding it to take a look more stitches gave up, I guess they are perished. I could re attach it but there is that big stain with the frayed edge, so maybe pull it off completely?  And maybe cut away the back too as it is quite badly stained and has more than a few holes. 

Which would leave just the front, with those pretty white daisies.

I could make it into a table runner, or perhaps something to go over my dresser in my bedroom, one less surface to dust! LOL

I could keep the back, add little patches over the holes and pop a piece of batting between the layers, do some simple quilting then add a pretty trim of some kind? I've seen bias trims with lace edges?

Suggestions and ideas welcomed.

With images and links too if you have them.

I really want to try to preserve this precious item if I can.