hand-sewn tatting lace Archives

Heirloom Hanky with Tatting, or a combination of two of my favorite handicraft techniques.

🌸 Hello everyone!

I’m so happy to share one of my favorite projects with you today — a delicate handkerchief that combines machine embroidery and tatted lace 🧵✨
This timeless piece was crafted with love, patience, and a deep admiration for heirloom techniques. I adore blending different styles, and this hanky is a perfect example of how tatting and embroidery can work in harmony 💖

📽️ Watch the full making-of video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuHVlRgyMWo&t=1s

Close-up of tatting lace with shuttle and blue thread. Delicate tatted lace edging in progress using a shuttle and fine polyester thread – a close-up look at a handmade heirloom hanky

✨ The Lace Edging Comes First

Before assembling the hanky, I needed to create a long piece of tatted lace edging. Sounds simple, right? 😅 But this pattern includes four rows of delicate stitches and picots, all worked with thin polyester thread — just as my client and I agreed. Because of the thread’s fineness and the required length of 1.2 meters, this step was incredibly meticulous 🪡💠

Despite the challenge, the result was absolutely worth it. The lace looks light, elegant, and strong at the same time — exactly what I needed for an heirloom-quality piece.

📐 Preparing the Base for the Heirloom Handkerchief

The next step in making this heirloom handkerchief was all about precision! 🧵 First, I cut out a square of paper matching the final size of the hanky. Then, I covered the paper with a piece of transparent plastic. This step might seem simple, but it’s absolutely essential — it helps me pin the lace evenly and accurately 🔍

To make sure the lace edging fits perfectly, I gently arranged and pinned it around the square. As a result, the shape and proportions of the future lace hanky are fixed exactly. No guessing, no distortion — just perfect symmetry for a truly vintage handkerchief 💫

Applying stiffening solution to tatting lace

🧴 Stiffening the Lace for the Heirloom Hanky with Tatting

To keep the lace edging in perfect shape, the next step is stiffening it with a special solution. ✨ This stage is truly important because it gives the heirloom handkerchief a clean, elegant look that will last for years.

I use a homemade stiffening solution made from leftover embroidery stabilizer — nothing goes to waste in my workshop! 🌿 If you’re curious how I make it, you can read the detailed tutorial on my blog here:
👉 https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/how-to-stiffen-tatting-lace/

So, after applying the solution, I leave the lace to dry naturally. This ensures it stays crisp and beautifully shaped, ready to be sewn onto the fabric square later on. 💫

💻 Preparing the Embroidery Design for the Heirloom Handkerchief

While the lace was drying, I turned my attention to the embroidery 🌼 This step required adapting the design to fit the heirloom handkerchief and meeting the exact wishes of my client. So, I opened my embroidery software and began fine-tuning every little detail.

Believe it or not, to work with my sewing-and-embroidery machine, I had to dive into a whole new world of digital skills! 🧠✂️ It’s amazing how traditional craftsmanship and modern technology can come together in one project. Learning how to digitize and modify embroidery patterns was challenging — but also exciting. Every project teaches me something new, and that’s what I love most about handmade work 💖

🧺 Preparing the Fabric for the Heirloom Handkerchief

Now it was time to prepare the fabric for embroidery — a delicate and important stage. To start, I carefully smoothed the cotton base to remove every wrinkle 🧼 Then, I applied a piece of sticky water-soluble stabilizer to the wrong side of the fabric. This type of stabilizer is incredibly helpful, especially when working on a Heirloom Hanky with Tatting project like this one!

Because the lace and embroidery must align perfectly, every step here must be precise. The sticky stabilizer keeps the fabric steady while I embroider, so there’s no puckering or shifting during the stitching process. As a result, the final piece turns out both beautiful and professional ✨

🪡 Hooping the Fabric for the Heirloom Handkerchief

Next, I carefully placed the fabric into the embroidery hoop. This step might seem simple, but it’s actually one of the most crucial! 🧐 In order to keep the design crisp and aligned, the fabric must be inserted without pulling, stretching, or twisting it.

To ensure the embroidery lines are perfectly placed, I double-checked the printed guidelines and adjusted the hoop gently. That way, when the embroidery machine starts its dance, every stitch lands exactly where it should. 🧚‍♀️ Proper hooping is what gives the heirloom handkerchief its polished, symmetrical look — just like a fine vintage piece!

Romantic embroidery with two hearts on heirloom handkerchief

🧵 Embroidering the Heart of the Heirloom Handkerchief

Now comes the most exciting part — embroidery! ✨ It’s always a delight to watch how, stitch by stitch, the design appears on the once-empty fabric. Like a slow bloom, the gentle lines take shape, forming a romantic pattern with two tiny hearts at its center 💕.

This stage always feels like magic. For a heirloom handkerchief, every thread carries meaning — especially when created with love and care. The embroidery machine hums softly, and I can’t take my eyes off it. It’s a process I could watch endlessly. Just like in fairy tales, the invisible becomes visible — and beauty is born. 🌹

Once the embroidery was finished, I gently rinsed the stabilizer in warm water and allowed the fabric to dry completely ☀️ This step is essential — it ensures the fabric returns to its natural softness and shape. Then the true magic begins!

With a fine needle and a thimble, I slowly and carefully hand-stitched the tatted lace onto the fabric, following the marked lines with precision and love. 🪡 Of course, you could use a sewing machine to do this. In fact, I have a helpful video tutorial showing how to attach tatting lace to fabric here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akpnypHDdW8&t=125s

However, for this heirloom handkerchief, I chose the old-fashioned way — slow, mindful stitching by hand. It brings a sense of connection and authenticity that no machine can replace. 💫

🪮 Finishing Touches for the Heirloom Hanky with Tatting

To complete the heirloom handkerchief, I carefully folded the fabric edges and shaped the corners neatly. Using pins, I fixed the folds in place, making sure every side was straight and precise. This process requires a gentle hand and a keen eye for detail 🔍

Then, I used my sewing machine Bernina to stitch the hem, securing the edges with clean, even lines. ✂️ Once the sewing was done, I gave the handkerchief a final press with the iron — a satisfying step that brings out its crisp, elegant look. Finally, I wrapped the piece carefully, ready for delivery and joyful unboxing! 🎁

Every heirloom carries a story, and I’m thrilled to pass this one on to its new owner — with all my heart in every stitch. 💗

**💌 Your Custom Heirloom Hanky with Tatting Awaits**

Would you like to have a unique heirloom handkerchief designed just for you? I’d be delighted to bring your vision to life! 💫 You can choose the lace pattern, thread color, and embroidery design — everything can be personalized to your taste.

Whether it’s a special keepsake, a wedding gift, or a memory stitched with love, I’m here to create something truly meaningful for you. 🧵