Handkerchief

Description

New York-based artist Irene DeFoy Gregor crocheted the scalloped border attached to this handkerchief. The handkerchief itself is linen, while the scalloped edge is made from cotton yarn. This is one of a group of objects at Winterthur’s made by Irene DeFoy Gregor (2017.0019.107.001-.033). Gregor was trained in textile arts from a young age and was proficient in a variety of needlework and crafts. She had a particular interest in tatting, a type of craft done by tying thread into an intricate pattern of knots. Most of Gregor’s works in Winterthur’s collection are tatted, but this example of her crochet work is an exception. Needleworkers beautified their space by adding adornments to everyday objects, giving visual interest to otherwise plain, utilitarian objects like this handkerchief. This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017.