What a funny word, antimacassar. The dictionary separates it into anti + Macassar. Macassar is an oil formerly used as a hair dressing. Antimacassar is a small cover on the back of a chair, sofa, etc. to prevent soiling. So, in effect, this textile is against spots made by hair oil. One would have thought…

Molas are highly embellished cloths created by the Kuna Indians  of Panama.  The word “mola” (meaning “cloth” in the Kuna language) can refer to the panel itself or to the traditional woman’s blouse made from these panels. The Kuna fled from the Panama mainland to the coast, Comarca San Blas, and to the San Blas…

Molas are highly embellished cloths created by the Kuna Indians  of Panama.  The word “mola” (meaning “cloth” in the Kuna language) can refer to the panel itself or to the traditional woman’s blouse made from these panels. The Kuna fled from the Panama mainland to the coast, Comarca San Blas, and to the San Blas…

Last week I wrote about men’s neckties, and also, that I used to give them as Father’s Day gifts, or sometimes I gave him handkerchiefs.  So this week we’ll talk about the history of the hankie. Excavation in Egypt reveal entombed women of the second and first century BCE had finely textured linen handkerchiefs. In…

Last week I wrote about men’s neckties, and also, that I used to give them as Father’s Day gifts, or sometimes I gave him handkerchiefs.  So this week we’ll talk about the history of the hankie. Excavation in Egypt reveal entombed women of the second and first century BCE had finely textured linen handkerchiefs. In…

When I was a child the choice of a gift for Father’s Day was simple.  Either handkerchiefs or a tie was wrapped and presented at breakfast.  Handkerchiefs have been replaced with paper tissues and since “casual” Friday now means “don’t wear jeans with holes” these choices of gifts have mostly been replaced with personal electronics…