Some info on vintage handkerchief edgings. The most popular handsewn edgings were crocheted, tatted or hairpin-lace. These were commonly done to plain white hankies as a discreet (but obvious) way for women to show off their needlework skills. The simplest explanation of crochet vs tatting is that crochet is loop pulled through loops and tatting is tying knots around a core thread. (More on hairpin in another blog.) Viewing examples can help identify the difference in styles. Some are featured below. I have found examples of both on hankies and they are beautiful but after reading Allan Chochinov’s blog post “52,000 Knots, One Man’s Journey into the Craft of Tatted Lace” my admiration for tatted handkerchiefs has grown! If you have a few minutes read it here.
Charlene Marietti’s blog post “Handstitched Collection of Mid-Century Handkerchiefs and Pillowcases” has this at the end “Many handstitched handkerchiefs and pillowcases have long since been discarded—either because they were worn out or out of fashion. Some appear in second-hand shops and online store but have little value.”
I’ll end with - but they do have value, and I’ll continue to rehome these restored hankies and linens. #restore #relove #repurpose #renew #recycle
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