Handkerchiefs

One of our projects for the Harvest Fair is  broderie perse handkerchiefs, with nice antique hemstitched edges and Venetian crochet lace.

Hemstitching in this manner is an old technique, using either pulled work or drawn thread work. It can be plain or fancy.

Broderie perse as a decorative technique arose with the importation in the 17th Cenutry of expensive India cottons to Europe and the American Colonies. It  is a style of appliqué embroidery which uses printed elements to create a scene on the background fabric. Originally, it was worked with Chintz which has clearly defined, separated motifs, and was cut out and invisibly applied onto the ground fabric. The typical intention was to create a scene from the motifs, but the decoration could also be random. The resulting fabric was often made into bedspreads, either unlined for summer or quilted for winter. They were often used for special occasions, such as guest beds.

Handkerchiefs as tokens of affection and regard became very popular in the 16th Century, both on the Continent and in England. Italy was the center from which the highest quality embroideries and laces were sought, it also became the center from which the best handkerchiefs were sought. In the sixteenth century Venice needle lace became one of the most popular and sought-after trims, from across the Continent. Our handkerchiefs have crocheted Venetian lace trim.

A custom began in England where girls gave small handkerchiefs with tassels as a token of their love. These handkerchiefs were often only three or four inches in diameter, and decorated with tassels at the corners, in the French fashion. They cost anywhere from six to sixteen pence, and the girls who bought them would often embroider them with love knots and name; men who were given these tokens would wear them on their person, often tucked into their hatband.

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