Hanky hem?

I've been practicing! 

 Practicing on, what I call, the "hanky stitch".

  Remember Grandma's hankies?

 The ones that had that little delicate hem with holes in it?

  Often times,

 crochet edging was then attached to the hem along this open and airy hemline.

 

  So delicate...

 

I've been practicing on a little bit wider hem.

 I think I'm ready to move onto a narrower hem,

 and then maybe even onto working a corner. 

 

I'm not going to be making hankies anytime soon,

but I love old samplers that have been finished this way.

   I've always wanted to finish a piece with this method,

so I'm practicing,

 and at the same time,

working on bravery.

 

 

Brave enough to make that cut

and pull those threads...

 

Here is one of my antiques that has this sort of finish to the edges.

  See those little delicate holes around the edge of the frame?

 This is one of my older samplers,

 Ann Lamploughs, 1793.

It is worked in vibrant colors of wool threads.

  I  intend to have it re-framed in a more age appropriate frame.

 

Until then,

I sit and admire it's "hanky hem"...

it's my inspiration!

 

Happy Valentines Day everyone,

Brenda