The Hand-Embroidered Handkerchief

 

 

 

"The Hand-Embroidered Handkerchief"

A Necessary Part of Milady's Costume These Days

The American Needlewoman

March 1924

 

I love to find old needlework magazines from the 20's and 30's.  They always have the most amazing articles in them.  Alot of them have patterns and instructions.

 

 

This article I just read told how to draw the threads to get a perfect square.  It informed you that you can get 9 - 12" hankies out of one yard of beautiful linen. 

 

You must use a very fine needle - 10-12 and two strands of embroidery thread for the design.

 

You roll the edges and hem them with a fine needle and thread.  Look at those hems.  I could never stitch that tiny!

 

 

It was also customary that when you traveled, you purchased a hankerchief from your destination.  Look at the detail on this one and that tiny hemstitched hem.

 

In conclusion, it said "When dampening and rolling up any articles to be pressed,that have any colored embroidery on them, take a piece of white cloth and lay it between the embroidery and the surrounding material.  This will prevent the staining of any other part of the article, if the colors should run."

 

Interesting, yes?

 

Oh, and by the way, you can order an iron-on transfer pattern for seven hankerchiefs for $.15.  No. 488W

 

Till next time, Judy