a cut above

linen: a cloth made from flax

linens: household articles made of linen or similar fabric

I do believe it was Sunday dinners at my paternal grandparent's home when I fell in love with linens. It would soon extend to the reason I enjoyed the Eucharist services at our Episcopal church. The priests' robes and the altar dressings were always spectacular to my linen loving little girl eyes. Creamy whites, thick embroideries, and vibrant colors made my heart go thumpa. To this day, there is a certain shade I call Episcopal purple.

My grandparent's dining table was oval and for these dinners (very often Papa's Brunswick stew) it was usually draped in white damask, napkins perfectly pressed but creaseless and loosely folded. And oh so soft to the touch! These many years later, I set them the same way.

Recently, I retrieved a bed sheet from my linen closet, tucked away long ago because much of the linen had thinned and raveled to shreds. I have forever had the wish to make something from it, but although I can sew on a rudimentary level, when I think to myself that this is the day, I choose to do everything but.

As fate had a hand, I now have a lady who sews and alters all kinds of things for me. I think of her as my cloth genie. She's a creative, meticulous perfectionist. Such time and frustration she has saved me from, and such joy she has given me by bringing my visions to this bistro life.

Pictured are a few linens she made for me from the large scrap. Two are basic napkins, soft as Nez's damask. The pair are likely to become W and my slow Sundays linens when bubbly is opened early as brunch is anticipated. The other two pieces are larger; one with exquisite mitered corners, one with doubled layering. I've yet to figure out how she works that magic.

From the cloth, she was also able to create a large item I've lusted to make for several years, inspired by a local souffle restaurant. That project deserves its own special story. Coming soon...