I have written before about my love of fabric and textiles in general.  One item that I had to put the breaks on collecting years ago are vintage handkerchiefs.  As many of you know, there is a hankie for every style or interest you could imagine and even some new and bizarre versions you come across once in a while.  Years ago my mom and I found a treasure trove of hankies that her mom, my Grandma Betty, had tucked away in her big cedar chest up in the attic.  We brought them home and they stayed in another box in our house for several more years before I decided to make something with them.   It wasn't fancy or a super original idea, but I laid them out on the diagonal with the corners overlapping, sewed them to a backing fabric and ended up with a super sweet and sentimental table runner.  I gave this to my mom on Mother's Day one year when I was in high school and almost 20 years later she still displays it on her grandmother's sofa table.

I have started back to collecting, but don't have the heart to cut what I find.  I have seen so many great ideas out there that I think I may be able to suck it up and start some hanky projects.  Below are some of my favorite items created from vintage hankies.

REFILLABLE LAVANDE POCHE by Pear McGee a fellow Retro Handmade Etsy Street Team Member.  I have purchased just the lavender inserts that she sells and they are heavenly!

I have always loved these State versions.  Vintage Hankie Pillow by Robin's Egg Blue.

Even Blythe is getting in on the vintage hanky fever.  Dress by Pomme Pomme.

I also got into the act with a couple of fabric collage pieces that included nice large graphic hankies.

Check out my Artfire Shop for more details on Circle of Flowers and Leaf.

Here is a FLICKR mosaic of a portion of my vintage hanky collection.

www.flickr.com KitschDesigns' Handkerchief Collection photoset

Enjoy!

Kitsch Krafts