Mary,
A few ideas - some included in case they jog a memory:
Some yarn, possibly silk or cashmere. A drawing, painting or sculpture of a handmaiden. Some sort of doll, or other ceramic model. Moths. A magazine. Clothing such as a handmaiden might wear. Music (e.g. CD) by Handmaiden. A plant (e.g. an iris called Handmaiden).
Partner, who usually has encyclopaedic knowledge of textile-related things felt "it is familiar" in some way, but cannot actually recall why!