Beginning in the 1930s, maps were screen-printed onto various types of textiles and sold in souvenir shops across the nation. Today, these tablecloths, hankies, and scarves make charming decorative elements.

Display them in a frame, as we did with the Alaska map in front of the fireplace.

A rare illustration of Seattle (by Tammis Keefe) is framed and placed on the mantel.

This map of the United States was stretched over a wooden frame and hung in the kitchen.

Of course, you can also use map fabrics for their intended purpose, as with this Florida tablecloth.

Made of sturdy cotton or linen, map-printed tablecloths can endure all manner of crafting. We transformed a Florida design into a roller shade by fusing the fabric to linen and then stapling it to the roller of a store-bought shade.

Reimagined as artwork, bedspreads, and pillows, these textiles create a school's-out mood in the summer months. For the pillows, we backed handkerchiefs with linen to reinforce the thin fabric and show off the illustrated borders and scalloped edges; a rayon tablecloth made into a coverlet is draped over the bed.

Because of their size and often intricate level of detail, tablecloths also work well as seat cushion covers.

Framed dish towels have the graphic impact of posters or prints.

Not all map textiles are created equal; some designs are extremely rare and therefore more highly coveted, while others are ubiquitous and affordable at flea markets.

Made of cotton or linen so finely woven that it's almost translucent, 12-inch hankies are an easy-to-find collectible. This design features a detailed streetscape of downtown Boston.

This evocative illustration of Wilmington, Delaware, was done by Tammis Keefe.

This blue-and-white handkerchief features some native plants of Arizona.

A Georgia linen boasts a color palette reminiscent of the state's famous peach.

Nevada and Utah enjoy equal billing on this handkerchief.

Chicago's famed Lake Shore Drive is the focus of this sophisticated linen.

Meant to protect a coif during an open-air excursion, scarves are generally 3 feet square and usually made of silk or rayon. Because they were used so frequently, scarves in pristine condition are hard to come by now. But their designs are often the most interesting and colorful.

This rope-bordered map stars a collection of Western states.

A Connecticut scarf features colorful illustrations at each corner.

A Vermont version features some of the state's noteworthy landmarks.

An orange-and-sky-blue scarf has a conceptual map of North America superimposed with a giant Texas.

The entire United States is represented on this charming scarf.

Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes, is represented here.

All sized for kitchen tables, these cotton pieces are widely available. Generally 48 or 56 inches square, they can accommodate an impressive amount of information, as seen on this map of New England.

This tablecloth, with an illustration of Washington State, also boasts interesting trivia.

This New York State tablecloth is a striking example of 1930s fashion with its Fiesta ware-like colors.

This California tablecloth proves that the borders of a map textile can be just as interesting as the main event.

Can you guess the state?

Michigan hosts an array of outdoor pursuits -- as seen on this tablecloth.