Hanson Sisters Linen Collection

Many years ago -- Mary Mulari and I purchased the entire "linen collection" from the Hanson Sisters estate in Duluth, Minnesota. Holy Cow. It was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting things we ever did. It was BEFORE digital pictures -- so I don't have any pictures of the VINTAGE LINEN AUCTION we conducted -- but we probably looked something like this -- the two of us tag-teaming the auctioneering duties...loving any opportunity to talk about the virtues of aprons...

Our friends Deanna (from Wisconsin), Marion (from Canada), Jackie (from Iowa) and all of Mary's friends and relatives who live in Minnesota helped us organize ALL THE LINENS (it took days and days) -- then they helped "clerk the sale" at the commuity center in Aurora, Minnesota.  These exquisite linens were all 50 years old -- with the original tags. Table linens -- tablecloth sets, damask, Irish linen towels, aprons, bed linens -- you name it -- Quilts, bedspreads, blankets and coverlets.

Although the sheer VOLUME was amazing -- it was the stunning quality of the linens that made the collection so unusual.  And the most extraordinary thing in that vast collection was TWO BALES OF PERCALE SHEETS.  A dozen sheets per bale. Wrapped in a thick blue paper -- the sheets had never been opened and every sheet had it's original stickers...neither Mary nor I had ever seen anything like that - and I'm sure we never will again...

OH MY GOD. This cotton is incredible. Percale is defined as anything above 178 threads per inch. But there's way more to it than just the thread count. These sheets really are about long-staple cotton -- which is nearly unheard of nowadays.

And the BEAUTIFUL hemstitching.   I'm telling you...words cannot convey the beauty of these cotton sheets. Something that so many years ago was an affordable luxury -- maybe the quality was even taken for granted.  But in today's retail market -- you cannot buy cotton like this for any amount of money...

Mary and I BOTH decided to keep some of these fabulous sheets.  We knew we'd never see this quality again.  Of course, all of the sheets were for a full bed -- and both Mary and I have Queen beds.  My sheets have been stored in a tub in my basement for the last ten years.  Mary keeps hers in a drawer in the guest room.  We have both been quite content to just admire them now and then...

But I decided it's time to do something with these sheets. And the first step will be to WASH THEM.  I hate to remove the stickers...and it will take many, many washings to get out 50+ years worth of storage discoloration...

BUT TODAY I START...there will be an overnight soaking, then several launderings in very hot water, then some time outside, hanging on the line -- in the full winter sun...then more launderings...

You'll  have to wait to see what I make with them -- and -- if it's a gift -- who I consider "Steel Warp Percale" worthy...??

I'll keep you posted.