VINTAGE AMERICANA 4th OF JULY

Americana Tablescape

Growing up, the 4th of July was such a wonderful holiday and proudly celebrated in my home. My dad would take charge of the menu and help with cooking. Dad cooked outside while momma cooked inside. Ribs would go on the grill early while our mom was preparing vegetables and salads. For dessert there would be homemade ice cream and watermelon. Sometimes we would  spread quilts on the grass and have a picnic. It was never too hot when we were growing up. 

I wanted to set a tablescape with a nod to our American heritage "vintage Americana," using antique linens, quilts and pillows from family.

Using red, white and blue flowers

 My mom loved clothes, especially dresses. She had a lot of them and when she was finished with them she gave them to my grandmother to make quilt tops. Below are several fabrics that were once my mom's dresses. This full-size quilt was well used and I'm happy to say it has held up really well. Now I use it on occasion folded at the foot of a guest bed.  

This is the blue and white back of a quilt given to me from my mother and father-in-law to use in my son's bedroom when he was a teen. I love the almost solid look of the back.

When my in-laws were coming for a visit I was talking to a friend about plans. Since she knew my mother-in-law was a quilter she suggested we go visit one of her friends who was also a quilter. She had an entire room full of quilts for sale. I admired this one but decided not to purchase it. My mother-in-law knew I wanted it for our son's room and little did I know conversations between my friend and mother-in-law were taking place after I left the room.  My mother-in-law purchased the quilt and  my friend mailed it to her. It was gifted to me on our next visit. 

A lovely pattern
"Circle within a Circle"

Books written by Helen Rose

source google

Using an old crate

I use this crate for stacking dishes for buffets. Today I covered the crate with a pillow sham made with fabric of old American cars. This sham had a matching coverlet and curtains to match, used in our son's room as a young boy in the first house we built. Yes, you probably guessed, since I don't sew my mother-in-law came and spent a week with us and made curtains and bed ruffles for my entire home. 

Antique baskets

My mother-in-law has been downsizing for several years and gave us many of her hand- made pieces: quilts, embroidered linens and tablecloths. She has since moved to a retirement home and I was given many other items.

I love the look of a picnic

Blue and white stitching and hem on white linen  table topper

Red, white and blue embroidery

Wooden Beverage Crate

Today it holds flowers but I love filling bottles with lemonade and tea.

Picnic baskets full of tomatoes

Vintage American Eagle pillow was my sons as a   child

Pulling my red, white and blue bakeware for yummy cupcakes

Vintage baskets and linens

White and blue hydrangeas

The rabbit even gets a little patriotic ribbon

The crate will get a tea towel liner to hold breads and crackers

We will celebrate the 4th of July with a touch of "Americana." Barbecue will definitely be on the menu, along with lots of family time. So do tell, what are you doing to celebrate?

Thank you for your visit. I hope you will leave a comment so I know you stopped by. Wishing all of my fellow Americans a Happy 4th of July. God Bless America!

Linking

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