Lace & Old Roses

I wanted to title this post "trousseau" mostly because I love the romance in that French word. And there is a bridal suggestion in the elements here. But the modern usage has come more to refer to bridal clothing, and less to the whole package that was once put together for the blessed occasion.

Trousseau literally means "bundle", and once also included the linens that would be needed in a new household gathered up into a hope chest. Exquisite hand made laces, bedding, and towels were made by young women and their relatives to prepare for a lifetime of good use.

Wedding converstions are coming up here and there these days because spring and summer weddings are in the intense planning stages about now. But this lovely tradition of preparation for marriage has mostly fallen by the wayside. I still give vintage linens to young brides without really knowing how they will be recieved. But when she married, my niece loved the white on white embroidered pillowcases I gave her with her new monogram on them.