Thursday, February 18, 2010

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!

12 comments:

Linda said...

Intricate...lovely...what treasures!

Marci said...

How wonderful! I have a few of those treasures--they were things we carried out after the tornado hit. :o>

Laura said...

What a wonderful treasure! I love old things and the stories behind them!
I have really been enjoying your blog.
Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Laura

Hannah C. said...

How lovely! My family has quite a number of treasures like your handkerchief, from a grandmother and great-grandmother. Some have tatting, and some have crocheted edging. I too have marveled over the intricacies of attaching the edgings, so if you find out any details, let us know!

Samantha said...

How lovely! Those glasses are beautiful!

Unknown said...

Those are lovely treasures! I am especially fond of tatting and love the hankie you inherited! How precious!

Cheri said...

Thankyou for all your kind comments, and allowing me to share these special things!

Leah Christine Imagery said...

*_*

Grandma had told me I could have those juice glasses. :-(

Anonymous said...

The handkerchief is beautiful, I recently acquired some that had what looks like tatting on them too and they are beautiful!
Treasures from your grandmother are so special!

Celine said...

lovely! Don't you just love receiving family keepsakes? I know I do!

Lindsey said...

Lovely! I have a dish with that same wheat pattern. It's sort of like a bowl with very tall sides - the height of a vase but the width of a bowl. We like to keep nuts in it.

Lindsey said...

Lovely! I have a dish with that same wheat pattern. It's sort of like a bowl with very tall sides - the height of a vase but the width of a bowl. We like to keep nuts in it.