Vintage fabrics have a history, a texture, a quality and a charm that today’s fast-fashion textiles lack. Embroidered tablecloths, vintage curtains, linen sheets, offcuts of tapestry or even second-hand clothes can be given a new lease of life. Combining an eco-friendly approach with a taste for the unique, here are five ideas for transforming these forgotten treasures into contemporary pieces.
Published on Jul 29,2026 at 10:18 AM | Updated on Jul 29,2026 at 10:24 AM

1. Create an ‘Heritage’ design

Do you collect the lace curtains, tablecloths and embroidered sheets that our grandmothers used to have? Don’t let them sleep in a cupboard any longer! All it takes is a few snips of the scissors and two or three stitches to transform these vintage fabrics into romantic, on-trend tops, skirts or jackets.

Play on the contrast between vintage fabric and a garment with a contemporary cut.

Opt for simple silhouettes, drawing on the shapes of the existing lace and embroidery to create garments that will showcase the magnificent craftsmanship of these historic textiles.

My great-grandmother’s curtain had been tucked away in a cupboard because it had yellowed, was a bit torn and, let’s face it, was no longer really in fashion as a curtain… With just a snip of the scissors and a few stitches, I turned it into a kimono jacket – somewhere between a Roaring Twenties look and a romantic caftan!

© Bleudesienne

Discover the tutorial

3 designers who recycle old lace:

2. Revamping your wardrobe

You hunt for second-hand clothes in charity shops because of their high-quality fabrics and vintage designs. The cut, on the other hand, has often gone out of fashion… But never mind! New designers show you how to create trendy pieces from old clothes.

Two shirts can be turned into a lovely little dress, a blouse can be transformed into shorts… Mathilde @nalmisci even suggests altering your wedding dress to turn it into a lovely summer outfit… a wonderful way to wear the dress of your dreams all over again!

Also worth checking out are Maeli’s upcycling patterns, tips and tricks. Amélie and Nicolas have just published a book on upcycling sewing with Eyrolles.

© Maeli

I’m discovering Amélie and Nicolas’s open-source project

3 designers who transform second-hand clothes:

3. Sewing a vintage-inspired yet decidedly contemporary decoration

Showcase the craftsmanship of vintage textiles by using them sparingly in a understated, contemporary interior design scheme. Play on the contrasts between vintage linens and minimalist furniture. A sofa with clean lines will be perfect for showing off cushions with retro patterns. A large, unfinished wooden table would look lovely with a table runner made from openwork linen. A lamp with a rather cold design can be given a warmer feel when paired with a reimagined Calais lace handkerchief.

Here are a few simple sewing ideas to incorporate vintage linens into your home décor:

  • Create a range of mismatched yet harmonious cushions, with the front made from vintage lace or patterned fabric and the back from contemporary plain fabric in bright colours.
  • Decorate a plain lampshade with a pleated petticoat sewn from a vintage lace handkerchief.
  • Cut out and sew your table linen from a linen sheet: table runners, napkins, placemats, tablecloths and even aprons and tea towels…
  • Make a pouffe using tapestries and canvas found at car boot sales.

© AI-generated image

4. Adding character to a piece of furniture

A chair found at a flea market or a headboard can be upholstered in vintage fabric to become centrepieces of your interior design. And you don’t need to be a professional upholsterer to do it! All you need is a bit of white glue and a wall stapler to cover the seat of a chair or a chest of drawers.

Camille Soulayrol has given all her workshop chairs a makeover!

© Camille Soulayrol

Find out how Lili Bohème decorates the handles on the furniture in her showroom: see the tutorial

For these upcycled pieces of furniture, we recommend that you:

  • Choose fabrics that are strong enough.
  • Entrust complex pieces and rare fabrics to a professional upholsterer.
  • Be bold with bold prints on small items.

5. Creating a work of art

A beautiful antique fabric can also be displayed as a work of art. Whether framed, stretched over a frame or arranged as a wall display, it becomes an original decorative feature steeped in history.

It’s also a lovely way to make use of textiles that are too worn for everyday use as clothing or other items.

© AI-generated image

3 artists to watch who create art from old linen:

Turning an old piece of fabric into a design piece is all about combining creativity, sustainability and an eye for detail. Whether they are fashion accessories or decorative items, these creations – contemporary in form – draw their inspiration from materials steeped in history. This reflects the current trend towards ‘re-rooting’, which blends heritage and innovation.