These beauties came into my possession several years ago. I kept trying to come up with a way to preserve and display them; it seemed a shame to keep them hidden in a box. They are extra-special because they belonged to two elderly sisters who used to live in our community. I saw a picture similar to this online, but there were no instructions.
My journey with these sweet keepsakes follows:
My journey with these sweet keepsakes follows:
 |
The workmanship is beautiful; a lost art! |
.jpg)
Step 1: The hardest part was deciding which handkerchiefs to use and the order in which to place them. My window is 36"; I selected 9 handkerchiefs--finally!
Step 2: I stitched the handkerchiefs at the top, just where the two handkerchiefs overlapped. Remember, I am trying to figure this out from looking at a picture. In retrospect, I think it would be easier to put right sides together and stitch the sides!
-001.jpg)
Step 3: In order to add dimension and to give added length to the valance, I used white handkerchiefs folded on the diagonal and stitched across the top (where the handkerchiefs meet, you can see the fold).
.jpg)
Step 4: I had to move my project to the floor to lay it out; pinned the white handkerchiefs on the diagonal and stitched.
I made sure to include this mended handkerchief. It is hard to imagine a time when people not only made and embellished their handkerchiefs but mended them as well.
Step 5: I used bias tape to make the casing for the curtain rod. Place right sides together, stitch 3/8" along the top edge, turn to wrong side and press, stitch in place. Make sure you use bias tape wide enough to accommodate the width of your curtain rod.
 |
More tatting |
SO happy to have given new life to these treasures! Now, what to do with the rest of them......
