Handkerchiefs

[Orphena]

Greetings!

I am looking for a little bit of advice about a purchase. When attending faire, I am always sure to carry at least one handkerchief - more likely 2 - one in my tankard to soak up any last dribbles, and one as a spare to use when needed for countless little cleanups.

Last year, when visiting faires, I noted that some of the ladies of the court and the Queen carried lovely large floaty hankies - they were more accessory than functional, and at least one looked to be attached to a ring - a lovely way to add flourishes. The ones I saw were edged in fine lace, and I wanted to recreate the look.

I have a product that I think will do from Dharma Trading, but undecided between 3 products - White cotton handkerchiefs - http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1525-AA.shtml?lnav=scarves.html

Or silk - http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1742-AA.shtml?lnav=clothing.html   in either 10mm Silk Twill or 12mm Silk Satin

Which product do you think would be the best for my needs? Can you suggest an alternate product? I would prefer to purchase handkerchiefs that have finished edges for this particular project.

Thanks!

[isabelladangelo]

I'd go with something more like this:
Lace Edge Linen handkerchief

I like the lace edges and they are linen rather than cotton. 

[Orphena]

isabella - Thanks for the link! Those are lovely - but I cannot justify that price at the moment! I was thinking of adding my own lace to a plain handkerchief / scarf.

For functional hankies, I generally make my own out of bits left over from shirts, and have a supply of cloth napkins that look the part and are easily washed. For the "flourishes" I wanted something quite large - larger than a traditional handkerchief....

Any other suggestions?

[PollyPoPo]

Silk, thin linen sound more accurate, but if you want really thin and floaty, you might check out magic shops.  They may be nylon or poly (been years since I'd held any), but they are made to be floaty, big flourish, and yet compact down very, very small.  Just a thought if you're looking for image, not function.

[isabelladangelo]

If you want to make your own, I'd just get the 50% of Joanns coupon and get some of the lovely linen/cotton blend.  It's hanky weight and I make chemises out of it.  It washes very easily and is a very simple handsew as well.  That way, you can get a yard and make four large hankies out of it. 

[RowenD]

  If you have a Nobbies in your area (it'a a party supply store that is an outlet for Oriental trading Company) They sell 24" cotton blend, square kerchiefs in just about any color for 2.99 dozen.
  Hobby lobby stocks them individually for .99.  They are the same brand, cheap and Made in China, so if you lose it, no big deal.   You can find them in the same area as the blank tote bags, T-shirts and aprons used for applique and iron-on transfers.  Sew on a lace border and you have a fancy hanky for about the cost of the lace.
  The floaty version are probably made of poly, which will snag and wrinkle.  oriental trading company link for solid color 'juggling scarves' . These may also be at Nobbies....

$10.00 dz below


http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?requestURI=processProductsCatalog&categoryId=377320&sku=61/6000&BP=8997&cm_mmc=msn-_-Toys+and+Novelties+-+Adlucent-_-Juggling+Scarves-_-eb0314448b744072b554912f88088c6ae&ms=search&kwid=eb0314448b744072b554912f88088c6ae

[PollyPoPo]

Got me curious about those juggling scarves after I mentioned them here.  There are the smaller cheap ones, but a Google search can turn up some in the 25"x25" range listed as professional.  Found one place, http://www.jugglingstore.com/, listed as being in California.  Appears to sell to working magicians, not kids' toys.  They have the scarves under Other drop down to Other. 

It's amazing what Google turns up when I started off just looking at various white frilly handkerchiefs to begin with.

I think I have too much time on my hands waiting for the weekend to go to Sherwood Forest Faire.