Family Heirlooms

Grandma is doing her spring cleaning, and the other night she handed down two treasures to one very grateful recipient. The pair of scissors were her mother's sewing "shears" as Grandma fondly calls them. They've been back in a storage container, and rather than it still being stored away, Grandma asked if I'd like them.

The other lovely piece is my Great-Great-Great Grandmother's hanky with hand-tatted lace. It was pulled out a number of years ago, and when visiting us several years ago, Grandma had given it to me because of knowing that I did tatting. Somehow it found its way back here, and went missing for several months. Upon cleaning out drawers, it was found and once again placed in my possession.

Isn't it lovely? The fabric itself I think must be that long-desired-for cotton muslin that they used to make decades ago, (oh to have a Regency dress in this gorgeous material!!) unless someone more knowledgeable than I says that it is something else. The embroidery is definitely done by hand, and for years it has baffled me as to how they could getting tatting onto a hankie. "It must be needle tatting" I have thought, but this looks like shuttle tatting to me, and upon close observation, it looks like it was sewn on because of the uneven spacing of the lace. How it was done, I still haven't figured it out. Any ideas?

Though not in the sewing/hand crafts department, Grandma asked if if I would like these juice glasses that she has had in her closed hutch. They were to pretty to pass up!

Another picture looking down into the glass. I like the wheat pattern. Grandma didn't mention how she got them, or how old they are, so I need to ask.

Of course, by the time I get married and will put them to use, they probably will be antique!