One of my passions is looking for fabulous embroidered linen pieces, whether they are napkins, tablecloths, handkerchiefs or other pieces.

Most often it is the skill of the embroiderer that draws me to a particular piece. You can tell when items are hand worked and often you can tell the age of the person based on the skill of the embroidery.

Probably one of the more reasonable ways to start collecting is to seek out handkerchiefs. Thousands were made- many as wedding handkerchiefs- and then put away because they were “too good to use” everyday.

A new project I’ve been having great fun with is looking for specific initials for each hostess that is involved in a shower for a bridal client of ours from www.StylinBride.com

She found our website and saw some of the vintage pieces we show as ideas for gifts. And asked us to look for specific ones, with the kind of embroidery I love.

That’s like letting loose a kid in a candy store!

Worse for me, because I often have the habit of “buy one buy two” as one is invariably for my collection. (I collect all initials-which is ridiculous in a way- but I just love it anyway).

Don’t limit yourself to buying for just a wedding. I love to send “hankies” as my Grandma called them to friends and family for birthdays, St. Valentine’s Day or for just a “thinking of you” gift.

And if you have any children (grand, friend’s or otherwise), they can always use a hankie.

Check out my Flickr account for a limited number of photos I have under antique linen. It’s only limited by the fact that I haven’t had time to photograph every piece of my collection.

I have better things to do -like shop!

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