A Love Affair With Hankies

I am of an age that I had hankies as a girl, as did my friends, and that is when my love for hankies began.  My grandmothers carried them everywhere and often had one tucked in a pocket.  I always thought they were the prettiest things!  Even Grandpa, both of them, carried handkerchiefs as did my Dad and my husband.  Neatly folded in a back pocket....Their's were manly in plaids or white ~

Some have tiny rolled hems, scalloped edges, fancy laces of all kinds and they were also like little samplers, where those learning their dainty embroidery practiced ~

I display my hankies in different ways around our little bungalow as they are just too pretty to keep hidden away in a box and make pretty little unexpected accents ~ I change them often ~

And, I  take hankies that have a slight blemish and turn them into pretty pillows ~

Or, add a corner to a Christmas Stocking

And, who could imagine that a pretty piece of  cotton and sometimes, silk could hold so many  memories, remind us of  our joy and happiness, love and loss.. each hanky has a story.

I have some that have never been out of their original box ~

Look at the pretty edges ~ To see a larger version of each picture, just click on it ~

My favorites are the ones that are in perfect condition, but used....those are the ones you wonder about ~ wonder who carried it and what the hanky would tell if it could talk ~
There is a wonderful and short history on hankies, if you would like to read it.  Just click on the link ~

http://www.luxemag.org/fashion-history/handkerchief-history.html

I love Lavenders and this is such lovely lace ~

In my Sewing room

In the dining room ~

And, I saved my favorite for last ~ When we moved from Arizona to Michigan, eleven years ago, we briefly lived in Coldwater, MI.  Coldwater was our home base for scouting where we would eventually live ~
The surrounding communities of Coldwater is a mecca of antique stores.  In one that was quite fascinating for it's hap hazard way of displaying things, I found this silk hanky.  The aged  proprietress had this behind the counter.  I do not remember what I paid for it, but it was enough that I hid the purchase from my hubby who was in the basement. (The basement was like a library....full of books on shelves ....it was amazing!)  It is a hanky that will go to one of my granddaughters ~

I believe this is the longest blog I have written to date ~  I usually try to keep them brief as I know, I get a bit impatient reading those that are overly long! :)  I hope you enjoyed it!
♥ Jil