It’s time for another Thrifty Chicks Challenge, where a group of creative friends come up with projects centered around a theme! This month we are focusing our efforts on scarves or handkerchiefs. I will have the links to all my friend’s projects at the end!
Since Valentine’s is right around the corner, I decided I needed to come up with a better way to enjoy these vintage hankies that belonged to one of my grandma’s. Just letting them hibernate in a linen closet just doesn’t seem right. I wanted to come up with a way I could actually enjoy them with a whole new fresh style.
I’ve been kind of obsessed with Pier 1’s chargers lately. I bought a leafy variety last Easter for my table {“Add Luscious Layers to Your Tablescape”}, and then bought a cedar style for my Thanksgiving table {“Styling the Thanksgiving Table, Step by Step”}. I just love the circular shape of a placemat, rather than the tried and true rectangle; it just seems more updated.
I pictured these vintage handkerchiefs, pieced together in a snowflake-type pattern, since February is still very much the winter, here in MN. I also like the idea of seeing all these pretty patterns together, like a quilt. Similar to when I made the “Vintage Fabric Wreath” last spring. When it comes to vintage patterns, the more the merrier, I think!
To see if what was in my head would really work, I traced the 4 handkerchiefs on some paper. I divided the approximately 12″ squares by 3 on each side and drew lines across, through the middle:
This is how I would cut the hankies, so I could create this:
Kind of looks like a snowflake, or an old quilt, right?
I decided my idea would work, so I started cutting up my grandma’s handkerchiefs (yes, kind of scary), using a rotary blade for straight lines.
I did screw up once and had to trash one corner:(
Once I had 4 pretty pink and red Valentine’s hankies cut up, I laid out my pattern. I decided white fleece would be a nice, soft, thick backing for these delicate fabrics.
The corners of the hankies created the snowflake pattern I was going for. I made sure to line up the outside edges where the patterns met and slightly overlapped them. You can play around with the patterns; I liked the little cherub hankie to be above it’s neighbors. One by one I ironed each segment with spray starch so it was crisp and wrinkle-free.
FYI: I used the middle pieces of the hankies for another, but didn’t like how the edges looked together, so this version is still in limbo:
What do you think? That one with the border waving in just isn’t doing it for me:(
Back to the cute one…
One at a time I sprayed each segment with Heat and Bond’s Fusible Adhesive. I fell in love with this stuff when I made my “Sunflower Button Pillow” last fall. It’s the perfect application for no-sew cute projects! They don’t give it away, so make sure you have a coupon when you buy;) No need to sew, and it says it’s even machine washable, but I don’t plan on washing these, hopefully.
Before activating the sticky stuff with the iron, I trimmed the excess white fleece, cutting about 1/4″ under the cute hankie edging. The sticky stuff clung to the polar fleece nicely, so the hankies didn’t slip while I was working my way around.
Following the instructions on the Heat and Bond can, I fused the hankies to the fleece using my iron. I finished off the project by sewing a vintage red button in the middle to cover where the points came together. (FYI…my grandma’s name was Astrid, hence the “A”).
The cute, vintage handkerchief charger or placemat can be enjoyed even more by using a clear plate!
Now to whip up a couple more for that romantic, Valentine’s candlelight dinner or dessert;)
Such an easy, no-sew project! And a great way to enjoy some treasured family linens! If you have springtime or Christmas handkerchiefs, they would be adorable, too! Anyone going to try this fun project?
Now to see what my Thrifty Chicks friends came up with for their projects!
Here are the “teaser” pics:
- Debra at Shoppe No. 5, “How To Make Flowers From a Hankie”
- Diana at Adirondack Girl at Heart, “Homemade Heating Pads From Thrifted Scarves”
- Me;)
- Marie from Interior Frugalista, “How To Turn a Scarf into an Easy DIY Valentine’s Wreath”
- Tania from Little Vintage Cottage, “Little Hankie Bird and a Hankie Project Roundup”
- Tuula from Thrifty Rebel Vintage, “Quick and Easy Repurposed Scarf Draft Stopper”
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Your Valentine charger came out so well. I have a note in my linen drawers in my vintage booth saying that these are NOT your grandmother’s linens and it is OK to cut them up for projects. I’m so glad you found a way to display your Grandmother’s hankies as they are usually just relegated to the back of a drawer unseen! I love finding ways to use the “wounded” (holey, torn, stained) ones–dollclothes, sachets, etc.
Yes, love finding a new way to appreciate these old treasures!
Wow! Such a sweet project! I love to see new ways of using old things. Thank you.
Glad you liked it, Anne! There’s plenty old to new projects here!
I’m just wild about this idea Lora–SO creative and unique. And so very special too, a beautiful remembrance of your grandma.
Thanks, Diana! I’m so glad you liked it! Don’t think I would have even tried it if it weren’t for our theme this month!
Another winner! I’ll be digging in my stash of linen – hope I haven’t donated all the vintage hankies I had! I did a major purge about a year ago & now wish I hadn’t been quite so hasty. Sigh-
Oh well, if all the good ones are gone it’ll be something fun to search for! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks, Shelly! Even I’ve given things away that I regretted later:( Good news is…there’s always more to find! Spring church sales are right around the corner;)
How charming, Lora! It’s so wonderful you have the hankies! I love your project!
Thanks, Linda:) I do treasure all the items I still have from my grandma’s, but I love to figure out a new way I can enjoy them!
Be still my hanky loving heart–this is gorgeous! Absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
I’m glad you liked it, Cecilia! And now I can set a pretty Valentine’s table with my other love-dishes;)
Your charger is absolutely gorgeous Lora! I love that you were brave and cut up those hankies so you could enjoy them as something both usable and beautiful. Great project!
Thanks, Tuula! I guess if they’re not going to be used to wipe noses anymore, they can change into something entirely different!
Oh my goodness Lora, this is so beautiful! I bet it was hard to cut up your grandmother’s hankies but isn’t it so much better to be able to enjoy them?!
Tania
Thanks, Tania! I still have quite a few of her hankies left with flowers, etc.
Really enjoyed your tutorial: I have never used a rotary cutter. I immediately started to problem solve for the one that you didn’t like as well. Pomander with potpourri, doll overskirt or umbrella, pillowtop with a button in the middle? I’m sure that after you look at it for a while, a good usage will present itself!
I’ m so glad you liked it , Kathy! I think if I swap out those 2 wavy edge pieces & replace them, I could be happy. Need to have more than one charger!
Your Grandma’s collection of hankies are so pretty! I felt nervous for you reading the party about cutting them. I’m with you in preferring round or unique shapes for placemats rather than traditional rectangles. Your handkerchief charger for Valentine’s Day is darling!
Thanks, Marie! I get scared every time I use the rotary cutter, because it’s so sharp & there’s no going back once you’ve cut it wrong! Luckily I only biffed once this time;)
Thanks, Debra! I’m so happy to get them out of the cupboard!
How lovely. I am really into chargers and this is a great idea. I really like the idea of using Grandma’s hankies in a way that you will enjoy. But yes so scary cutting them.