A truly one-of-a-kind wearable, this cropped top was reconstructed from a vintage white rice linen tablecloth hand-embroidered with tiny, colourful cross-stitch figures — most likely Chinese characters and folk scenes scattered playfully across the cloth. Each miniature motif is its own small story: figures in traditional dress, animals, and symbols rendered in red, gold, blue, green, and pink thread against the crisp white linen ground.
The silhouette is airy and relaxed: a wide gathered scoop neck, short cap sleeves with a delicate picot-stitch hem edge, and a boxy cropped body that falls just above the waist. The original tablecloth border — a fine running stitch in grey-blue — frames the hem and sleeves, preserving the integrity of the source textile.
Construction & Restoration Notes: Reconstructed from a vintage white rice linen tablecloth. Original hand cross-stitch embroidery preserved throughout. Picot-edged sleeve and hem borders are original to the cloth. Fabric is a fine, semi-sheer rice linen with characteristic vintage softness.
Fit & Style: Cropped top. Wide gathered scoop neck, cap sleeves. Relaxed, boxy fit. A conversation piece — wear it and let the embroidery do the talking. One size.
One of a kind. Once it's gone, it's gone.