Give Antique Textiles a Second Chance at Life in Your Home
- America's Antique Mall
- 21 hours ago
- 8 min read
Packed with charm and oh-so beautiful, vintage textiles are in style. Antique textiles are the secret to giving your spaces that “old soul” feel.
The next time a vintage rug or handmade doily catches your eye, don’t pass it up. With a bit of history on each type of textile and inspiration on how to feature them in your house, you can transform your spaces from bland to beautiful in no time!
What are Vintage Textiles?
If you’ve ever shopped at a craft store or walked around a Florida vendor mall, you’ve likely seen the word textile thrown around—but what is it? In short, a textile refers to any type of woven fabric or cloth. Think vintage rugs, table linens, curtains, quilts, and other cloth goods.
To be considered vintage, these fabrics must be at least 20 years old. Once they hit 100 years old, they’re antique!
Why Buy Vintage Textiles?
Let's face it, in today's world, an unfortunate majority of existing clothing and textiles end up in landfills. If you want to make more sustainable shopping choices, consider purchasing existing textiles, such as an antique rug, instead of a new product to help extend the lifespan of an older design. This simple act helps reduce waste and lowers our carbon footprint!
Antique textiles, such as vintage rugs or bedspreads, often feature techniques and patterns that are no longer in use. These designs offer a look back into the past, reflecting the trending styles and cultural influences of the time. If you’re looking for ways to add slivers of history to your home, textiles never fail to impress.
As is common with most types of collectibles, many collectors are driven by their nostalgia when shopping for vintage textiles. Even seeing a specific type of fabric could evoke fond memories of simpler times! Whether lace curtains remind them of their grandparents’ house or they yearn to live the cottagecore lifestyle of their childhood dreams, antique textiles make bringing that magic to their home attainable.
Can Vintage Textiles Be Valuable?
Yes, vintage textiles have the potential to be valuable, although this depends greatly on the type of textile. The most valuable textiles feature high-quality fabrics and have been carefully preserved since their creation. The value of an antique rug or piece of vintage clothing can be valued based on a few factors, including:
Rarity: the rarer an antique rug is, the more valuable it becomes amongst collectorsAge: in general, older textiles (in good condition) fetch higher prices than newer designs
Condition: to be highly sought-after, the textile should be in near-perfect condition
Provenance: where and when a textile was crafted denotes the final price tag
Designer/brand: certain textile companies and artisans are considered more collectible
5 Helpful Tips for Collecting Antique and Vintage Textiles
If you’re interested in filling your home with antique rugs and vintage linens, you’re in luck—anyone can learn how to spot these textiles! All it takes is a little patience, a good eye, and access to our Algonquin antique mall. Remember these five tips as you shop:
Tip 1: Examine for Human Error
When it comes to a vintage rug or collectible dresser scarf, imperfection can actually be a good thing. Tiny details, such as uneven stitching or yarn inconsistencies, are signs that a textile was made by hand, rather than machine-made, modern mimics. Collectors consider these “mistakes” to be a crucial element that gives textiles character.
Tip 2: Look at the Back
If you’re buying bulk fabric, looking at the backside can be a great indicator of its age. New, synthetic fabrics tend to have a solid back-color, while antique designs traditionally feature the same color and pattern on both sides.
Tip 3: Assess Damage Before Purchasing
Before you’re blinded by your exciting discovery and buy that vintage rug on the spot, make sure to inspect every single inch for possible damage. While regular wear-and-tear from age isn’t always bad, things like stains, rips, or holes can detract from the overall look and usability of a piece. Don’t be afraid to unfold or unfurl a textile to get a closer look before adding it to your cart.
Tip 4: Build a Relationship with Your Vendor
Unlike other types of collectibles, such as antique grandfather clocks or designer purses, vintage textiles are rarely found with intact labels or makers’ marks. So, what’s the secret to ensuring you buy only authentic antique rugs, bed skirts, and more? Building a trustworthy relationship with the vendors at your local Melbourne antique mall. Reputable dealers will only stock their shelves with genuine vintage and antique textiles, and often have the paperwork to back it up.
Tip 5: Shop Often
There’s something most vintage rug and antique linen collectors don’t want you to know. The secret to finding the best antique textiles on the market isn’t luck—it’s how much time you dedicate to shopping! In order to find the rarest, most unique pieces on the market, we recommend that you return to your favorite Indiana vendor mall on a regular basis, making sure no booth is left unturned each visit.
A Look into the Most-Wanted Types of Vintage and Antique Textiles
As far as textiles go, vintage clothing deserves its own time in the spotlight—today, we’ll focus on the most popular kinds of textile home goods found at vendor malls. When you browse, keep your eyes peeled for:
Set the Scene with Antique Rugs
Did you know something as simple as a hallway runner or area rug can transform an entire space? If you want to give your modern rooms a rustic feel, look for different vintage rugs from around the world. With a rainbow of hues and countless geometric, floral, and abstract patterns to choose from, there’s guaranteed to be an antique rug that suits your style.
Authentic vintage rugs are typically made from entirely natural materials, including cotton and wool. As you shop for antique rugs at your favorite vintage store in Indiana, make sure to inquire about the KPI, or “knots per inch.” If a rug is hand-knotted (the preferred type for committed collectors), then this density-based measurement will tell you everything you need to know about the value of the design—just remember, the higher the density, the higher the quality!
Popular Types of Antique Rugs
If you’re considering buying a vintage rug, you’ll be happy to learn there are plenty of designs to choose from. Antique rugs are often categorized by where they were designed, as each has its unique aesthetics:
Persian: handwoven vintage rugs from Iran or Pakistan that are known for intricate geometric patterns and rich jewel tones, as seen in the central medallion design in the famous Heriz rugs.
Oriental: a broad (and somewhat outdated) term for antique rugs from China, Tibet, India, and Egypt, best characterized by a unique knotted-pile construction method.
Turkish: vintage rugs crafted in Turkey, often associated with bold patterns, durability, and specifically the Kilim rug, a variety that is flat-woven with geometric designs.
Scandinavian: referring to antique rugs made in Norway and Sweden, featuring natural colors and minimalist designs.
What is The Difference Between Cropped and Shaved Vintage Rugs?
While both “cropped” and “shaved” refer to the type of alteration to the rug’s pile, a fancy term for its woven surface, the two mean very different things for antique rug collectors. If a vintage rug is “cropped,” the pile is cut to a shorter, more even height, revealing more of the vivid hues and pattern. If an antique rug is shaved, the pile has been drastically reduced, resulting in a less plush thickness and a more exposed weave.
Elevate Your Gallery Wall with Antique Tapestries
With countless examples around the world, from the famous Unicorn Tapestries at The Met to the 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy, it’s impossible to deny the historical significance of this embroidered style of wall décor. Such valuable, beautiful handiwork should never be hidden! If you come across a tapestry at the antique mall in Indiana, consider hanging it in your home to bring a one-of-a-kind antique aesthetic to your space.
Set the Table with Vintage Table Linens
You don’t need to host an elaborate dinner party to set the table—when you collect vintage linens, you can dress your dining room to the nines for any occasion! From timeless all-white linens with lacey details to colorful, patterned sets, there’s sure to be a style for you. Keep an eye out for:
Tea towels
Tablecloths
Table runners
Cloth napkins
Hand towels
Add Delicate Details with Antique Doilies and Lace
Though they reached their peak of popularity in the Victorian times, handmade doilies and lace can still make an excellent addition to a vintage lover's home. Each piece of lace was handcrafted with care, making the intricate designs and delicate patterns all the more amazing for collectors. Display them on the China cabinet to tie in your antique rug and favorite collectible dinnerware, or find a fresh way to repurpose them around the house in clothing, décor, or even as art projects!
Protect Your Surfaces with Vintage Dresser Scarves
Equally decorative and functional, dresser scarves were popular in our grandparents’ generation. Made from cotton or linen, dresser scarves were initially designed to lie on top of dressers, vanities, and coffee tables, protecting the surface with an elegant touch. If you come across one at the antique mall, there’s a good chance it will feature lace trim or embroidered details.
Get Cozy with Vintage Bedding
No Illinois antique mall would be complete without beautifully handcrafted vintage bedding! With hand-stitched embroidery, traditional quilting patterns, and retro colors galore, there’s something for every kind of aesthetic just waiting to be found. If you’re revamping your bedroom, match the vibe of your antique rug by investing in a completely vintage set of bedding, piece by piece:
Pillowcases
Sheets
Coverlets
Bedspreads
Quilts
Upcycling Unusable Vintage Textiles
If you come across a vintage rug or piece of lace that is past its prime and can’t be used for its original purpose, don’t fret! With a bit of creativity, we can make sure these textiles have another chance at life. There are countless ways to upcycle antique textiles—here are a few of our favorites:
Turn old tablecloths into curtains
Sew small circles of fabric into quilted coasters
Transform cloth napkins into cushion covers
Frame antique embroidery for wall art
How to Care for and Clean Vintage Textiles
In order to maintain an antique rug or bedspread’s value, you’ll want to learn proper caring and cleaning methods. When garments do need to be cleaned, avoid harsh chemicals and stick to mild detergents or white vinegar to remove stains and brighten colors. As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to use the washing machine and opt for good old-fashioned handwashing instead to get the job done!
When storing a quilt or vintage rug, ensure it’s kept in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent moisture damage and fading. Keep it contained in a secure, flat box with acid-free tissue paper placed in between folds to prevent creasing.
Pro tip: If you find a stain, don’t reach for modern-day removers! Start by identifying the type of stain and considering the specific type of fabric available. Silk, wool, cotton, and lace will all have specific cleaning requirements—don’t be afraid to consult an expert!
Where’s the Best Place to Shop for Antique Textiles?
Though you can always browse online auction sites and community forums online, there’s no better feeling than finding the antique rug you’re after at the nearby vendor mall! With hundreds of collections under one roof, every visit feels like a brand new adventure. When you stop by, you connect with other passionate collectors, chat with vendors, and ask the staff any questions you like.
Whether you’re searching for a rare Persian antique rug for your living room or a set of embroidered cloth napkins for the dining room, antique malls are filled to the brim with all the vintage textiles your heart desires! Swing by your nearest America’s Antique Mall location and start your search today.
