Shop That Stash: Tablecloth Upcycles Your Nanna Would Approve Of
- Words by Emma Mulholland
If you’re an op-shopper, you know that vintage tablecloths are hotter than a just-filled hot-water bottle. It seems we’re all suckers for the stories, the tea stains and those lovely finished edges. So, if you’ve been lucky enough to source the goods (or liberate one from your mum’s stash), then you want to be very, very sure about your intentions before you start snipping.
Let us guide the way, dear reader, with these perfectly lovely upcycles – they’re so fine and so beautifully made we’re sure the original stitcher would approve. As ever, we’d love to see your handiwork; be sure to tag us in your makes at #PeppermintMagazine and you might just spot your former table linen on our Insta feed.
ABOVE: SUMMER JACKET BY SARAH @MakingClothesWithStories
TOP POINTS
There’s a reason why so many table coverings are destined for a life sitting atop of high-waisted jeans and drapey linen pants. They’re soft, detailed and even if they’re quite stained, there’s usually enough fabric to make a sleeveless top. We love these makes by (from left) LA store @StanClothing, Lilli @FrocksAndFrouFrou and Kate @ByKateRobyn.
If you’re in need of an easy-sew, infinitely hack-able pattern, might we recommend the Peppermint Tansey Top? Should you need convincing, we invite you to take a look at this super-pretty upcycled-tablecloth version (below), stitched by Jess @MadeByMeJessieB in just over an hour.
FANCY PANTS
When it comes to the tablecloth upcycle, few do it better than Georgie Carter @Georgie.Keep.Sewing (yep, she of The Great British Sewing Bee fame). These lacey lovelies (above, far left) are based on Anna Allen’s Pomona Pants pattern.
We also heart these fine makes by Ohio label @ForEmilyWhenever (centre) and Geneviève @SewKnitGen, who used the Peppermint Wide Leg Pants pattern, a design we created with In The Folds.
POWER DRESSING
“Feeling very Dolce & Gabbana in what is actually a €10 tablecloth I bought in Florence,” writes the very crafty Alma @AlmitaMade (above, far left). Brisbane’s Sue-Ching @SueChingLascelles is responsible for the seersucker delight in the middle, while Jane @JaneInIreland has produced the perfect (no frills, spills OK) party dress using a tablecloth she found at a charity shop in France.
MATCHMAKER
Forget setting the table – instead, wear the set! These pretty separates are the work of Funky Bob @Funky_Bob_Vintage, a label based in the Czech Republic. These three are custom makes, but if you like what you see and you’re not quite ready to snip your vintage treasure, mosey on over to the website, where there’s lots of table-linen finery to add to your wishlist.
UNDER COVERS
London sewist Bahram @BahramYara admits there may have been a few meltdowns in the making of this Harrington jacket (above, far left), but we reckon it was probably worth it for this stunning result. We’re also coveting the delightful summer jacket (centre) by Imby @Karmme_Apparel – it’s based on the Anthea Blouse, another pattern by Anna Allen. Sarah @MakingClothesWithStories has also brought a fine make to the table. We’ll take one of each, please.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
