6310
Georgetown Pike •
McLean,
VA 22101 • 703-442-7557
A visit to the Claude Moore
Colonial Farm is a visit to another world ...the world
of an 18th Century family living on a small,
low-income farm just prior to the Revolutionary War.
Colonial Day Resources
from Claude Moore Colonial Farm
Kerchief
for boys or girls
Time to complete:
unhemmed triangle kerchief - 30 minutes
hemmed triangle kerchief - 2 hours
Supplies:
Fabric:
A 30 inch square of medium to light-weight fabric for the
boy's kerchief. A 33 to 36 inch square of medium to light-weight
fabric for the girl's kerchief. The square may be cut diagonally
to produce two triangular scarves. A checked material with
small, even, woven checks is appropriate, and easy to measure
and cut.
Scissors
Fabric glue, sewing machine, or needle and thread
Background:
Working men wore kerchiefs tied around their
necks. Wealthier men wore a neck cloth, which was like a cravat, or a stock. They might
wear a kerchief for informal occasions. The kerchief was folded or cut into a triangle,
and worn either on top of the shirt collar or underneath it. It was tied in a double knot
at the front of the neck. They could be made of dark or light colored material, some had
polka dots or checks, and some were printed with pictures or designs. They could be made
of homespun, or expensive silk. They often had a woven border the way kerchiefs do today.
But whether he was feeding animals or going to church, the working man would wear a kerchief.
Women wore kerchiefs folded or cut into
a triangle, over their shoulders, and pinned to, or tucked in their front. They wore them
for warmth, and for fashion. Poor women and rich women all wore kerchiefs. The kerchief
could be made out of a material so fine that it was translucent and edged with lace, or
it could be made of wool for warmth. A utilitarian kerchief would be made of linen or cotton.
It might be solid colored, or checked. White or light colored kerchiefs were the most common,
but blue, brown, and red or orange-red were also popular. Women's kerchiefs also might
have a woven border. Women did not always wear kerchiefs. They might not wear them working,
or for very dressy occasions. But usually they wore both a kerchief and an apron.
Directions:
1. Cut a square of cloth. Cut as straight and as smoothly
as possible.
2. To make two triangles, fold the square across the diagonal. Make
a line for cutting the diagonal by ironing the diagonal fold, or marking it with a pencil.
Cut as straight and smoothly as possible.
3. The kerchief can be left unhemmed. If you want to continue to wash
and use the kerchief it should be hemmed. A 1/8 inch, hand-sewn narrow hem would be the
most authentic. Do not hem selvedge edges. Make the smallest hem that you can in all of
the raw edges. Glue or sew the hem down.
4. In the 18th century, people sometimes cross-stitched their initials in a kerchief's
corner.
Fabric:
