Friday, June 13, 2014

Stitch embroidered messages of love

Lenço de Namorados
Image borrowed from the Café Portugal website.

A little while ago I came across an interesting project on the East London Craft Guerilla blog about Portuguese hankies embroidered with love notes.
"Lençinhos dos Namorados" (Boyfriend Hankies/ Lovers' Hankies or Wish Hankies) which were once hand embroidered by semi illiterate women as token of love which were gifted to the objects of their affections!
Apparently they go back to the 17th century when peoples' wishes were embroidered onto a small piece of fabric in order to conquest their hearts' desire. They were later taken up by women and popularised into this form we now love and know.
The Craft Guerilla is planning an exhibition of modern versions of these hankies and anyone can take part. I think that sounds like a fun project, so I wanted to pass it on here in case any of you fancy taking part. Check out the details here.

And don't forget, if you stitch a hanky, please share in the &Stitches Flickr group. We'd love to see it!

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