I found that burlap is dusty (sheds fibers) to use. Rough and unfriendly to our tender little elbows. lol

My mother in law put her antique/vintage hankie collection down on the dining table and covered it with a sheet of glass.

I just had a wild visual image (dont worry my Dr. knows about them) of hankies on crisscrossed clotheslines strung like banners. It also has that vintage summer message of clothes drying in the sun. I would buy clothes pins and paint them all one bold color to match your table cloth or napkins or the main color in the hankies. I bought and restyled some dolls to be my laundry helpers. (see pic) Something like this would be a good center piece.

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The caucasion dolls were broken at Hobby Lobby. The others were lucky finds at resales. I took the golfer and put a miniature scrub board in her hands. The tallest one has a basket attached where I put my grandmothers embroidery and grandpa's hankie pieces.

The tiny clothes pins could hold place cards. Go to the net and print off all of the vintage house working mom pics.

I can promise you that no one else has ever given this party before.

Ok. Thanks for letting me vent that idea.

I agree that the burlap is too rough to go with the wonderful delicate hankies. Go with a solid color tablecloth that will really show off the hankies.

Mind is blamk about a centerpiece. Maybe a bouquet with all of the colors in the hankies?
Please show us what you come up with. I love vintage hankies. Reminds me of my Mama who always had one to gently dab her eyes at church. Now I use them too!
Betty

Are you looking for a centerpiece for the serving table or centerpieces for tables where people sit down to eat?

Thanks ladies, I will rethink the burlap. Or what if I use burlap w/ vintage white damask tablecloths over-top??

oldal-I am looking for centerpieces for the 3 tables where we will be sitting.

susie-Love the dolls--what a great way to use special linens.

Thanks for your ideas--keep them comin'.

Some people are allergic to burlap. Better to use something else. Burlap also does not drape over edges nicely (sticks out) The hankies need softer fabric to show them off. Maybe you could round up some nice vintage aprons to use as centerpiece. Or if you have plenty of handies stand some up around vase or plant hold on with cord, raffia or ribbon.

I never thought about allergies. I guess you have talked me out of burlap!

I'm going back to the drawing board. Thanks again, ladies, I really appreciate having a sounding board.

You can dip the hankies in liquid starch and form them around your floral vases. After the party they can be washed out. I have seen someone also dip croched dollies and lay them over a bowl to dry to make serving baskets.

This may sound a little over the top but here's a thought.
Are the tables round or banquet size (6' or 8') You'd have to adapt this idea to your table size.
I'm envisioning a garland of greenery & fresh cut (or silk) floral heads down the center of the table (if the longer tables) or in a circle (if using round tables) and amidst them, would be a collection of gloved hands holding one of the hankies, which you could discreetly pin to 2 of the fingertips of the glove.
Perhaps Ebay would be a good source to find gloves (Bridal or antique catagories?)..maybe a lace one, a pastel colored one-or whatever.
You could stuff the glove with fiberfill & hot glue a dowel up into one of the fingertips-making the dowel the length of the glove plus enough extra to poke it into a floral covered base-maybe even stick the dowel into a short bud vase.You could 'pose' the fingertips on each differently, then drape a hankie from each one.
You could even place a small evening bag (slightly opened with yet another hankie) or a fan in the setting as well. Justa' thought.

Hey! That sounds cute to me, Sharon.
I saw a mummy hand on the HGTV site, but can't find it now. It was made using a latex glove, wire, strips of cloth, poly-batting, an empty soup can and some fabric stiffening solution. Of course, you'd substitute the old gloves for latex gloves Here's the steps:

First make the individual fingers by binding poly-batting to wires by wrapping with strips of material.
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Insert the five fingers into the glove, twist the ends of the wires together and stuff the glove to fill out the hand.

Place the "hand" on top of a clean, empty soup can and bend the fingers to desired position.

Well, that's one way, anyway.

A mummy's hand, lol..
If you have a Walmart check the dollar a yard fabric bolts. I have used it many times for tablecloths.
Cheap sheets? Let us know the sizes of the tables.....
Thinking about the centerpieces..is there a theme..like is it a birthday or just a summer ladies luncheon??
Will you have fresh flowers available?