I have a wee bit of a thing for vintage handkerchiefs. The odd thing, is that I hate to do anything with them! I feel like if I cut them up, they are gone forever, never to be used for anything else ever again. I just hoard them :). I am the same way with certain fabric. I have those “special” yards just waiting to be used, but every time I go to use them, I get a little anxiety and reach for something else. I know, serious issues! So I have had this bag full of vintage hankies, just waiting for the perfect project to present itself, and finally an anxious-free way to show them off! I came across these engagement photos where they had just tied the ends, perfect!
A fun and easy way to add a little whimsy. Now when I am tired of using them this way, I can just untie them and use for something else…phew :).
Okay, now I need a little advice. Do you have long curtains in your toddlers rooms? I had this vision of flowing pretty white curtains to finish off Eleni’s room, and it has recently been replaced with images of she and her brother swinging from them. Am now leaning towards a simple panel valance. What do you think? I have two cute vintage pillowcases I could cut up and use that are in the same color family. Again this might bring on a little anxiety :), I have only been hanging on to these ones for, oh…over a year. Ish.Ewes.
Your insight would be great, I think after that I will be just about done!
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
so cute, i just love how this room turned out. very cute!
aw, this is just precious. I love it!
I have long navy blackout curtains in my 3 year old son’s room and green black out curtains in my 1 year old daughter’s room. It is the only thing I could do to make it dark enough in them so the kids can sleep. Josiah, my son, has never messed with them. Audrey’s curtains have pom-pom trim on them that I added so when she gets a little bigger she might mess with hers, but I’m not worried about it. I would say go for it!
I have the same problem with some of the fabric I have! Craziness! I think the white flowing curtains would be sweet. You could even use the hankies as a swag along with the curtains (then you wouldn’t have to cut the pillowcases). Just a thought… :)
i totally am with you on the vintage hankie collection. i have LOTS, but really don’t use them at all~but they are pretty to look at! i LOVE this, so sweet! …also, all 3 of my kids have long curtain and we have never had a problem!
That is so pretty! :)
cute idea Destri!
I love this!! Thanks for sharing. I, too, am obsessed with vintage linens!
you had me at “no sew”. and “vintage”. and “handkerchiefs”. LOVE!
I have a curtain that only goes to the window sill in Juliet’s room. It has not been swung from yet…
what a great solution. i have similiar small hankies i’d love to try that with!
Ah, I missed this post Destri, love it. We all have ish-ewes my dear – it is what makes us interesting people! Don’t get me started on mine…
As for curtains, I wouldn’t trust my boys as far as they would and note I say ‘would’ swing! However, in the new house, (eeeeek) I am contemplating having some in the rather huge, enormous lounge or else it’s gonna feel rather cold… need to inject colour, warmth and depth….
In their rooms, black outs def., blinds – with the ties cut off and then coiled and secured with an Ikea veggie bag clip out of the way….. curtains… I’ll wait until they are old enough to move out to go to college and university… (actually the thought of them being old enough to leave home is slightly shocking and way too sad to think about).
Smiles
K
Wow, so pretty and I could actually DO it. No sewing necessary – yea!
the vintage handkerchiefs are gorgeous!! love the idea and great blog!
xo,
anna
Ooo, I love vintage hankies too! I have a stack that I can’t bear cut up either. I really don’t know what to do with them and I love your idea. What I have done with some of them though is hang them on a little old indoor clothesline, one that you can reel up or let out. I have that strung in front of my kitchen window and I have some pretty hankies pinned up by old clothes pegs. Thanks for your inspiration though. I might have to make a bunting for my daughter’s room…
And I thought I was the only one who couldn’t cut a hanky! I’ve collected probably
over 100 hankies and I can’t cut into one! Love this idea though – will definitely have to
try it! Thanks!!
I LOVE the new sew handkerchief idea! I am a serious vintage linen hoarder! Many of my handkerchiefs came from my great grandma so I just could not bring myself to cut them. This idea is so clever, yet so simple… one of those why didn’t I think of that LOL! I am going to post a link on my blog to this too! Thanks for the great idea!
so clever !!!
It makes me feel like less of a hoarder to read about everyone out there who is stashing away piles of dainting hankies…This is a great idea—not only will they be out where they can be enjoyed they won’t be destroyed in the process. Genius.
I can’t bear to cut up any of my hankies either so this is perfect. Thank you!
This is fantastic! I inherited a drawer full of vintage handkerchiefs from my Grandmother and have been trying to come up with a creative and lovely way to display them. Nothing seemed good enough until now! Thanks for sharing…I can’t wait to get started on my bunting!
That looks pretty easy!
After my granny passed away I found a bag in her dresser full of vintage hankies with a note that said “Katy said she liked hankies, these are for her.” I haven’t even taken them out of the bag. I thought of doing bunting, but didn’t want to permanently alter them. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this! I’m seriously tearing up, I’m so excited to finally do something with this special treasure I’ve had waiting to be displayed! Yay!!
Oh Katy, I love that story :) Send me a picture!
Destri, I just posted about my “no sew bunting.” I wish the photo’s were better quality, but I’m so excited to display these =)
http://redbuddynotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/no-sew-bunting.html
Great idea, I think I will use it with bandanas for my daughters cowgirl birthday party!
Oh that is a great idea! Send me a picture if you do!
I gave a knowing smile when I read your post about vintage hankies and pillowcases. You are not alone. I can’t wait take them all out and display them as you have done! Beautiful, safe, decorative, safe, charming and…are you sure it’s ok to leave them in knots a long time? :)
I guess there could be worse things, right? :). As far as the knots, it would depend on the condition of the hankie to begin with. You could tack them with a little needle and thread action too…I guess it all depends on if you have plans for later use!
Ugh! Thanks for this idea, I have like a thousand of these handkerchiefs that I don’t know what to do with. This is perfect!
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