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15 Super Cute Ways to Repurpose Vintage Hankies

By Manuela Williams

Beautiful Vintage Hanky Upcycle Ideas.

I’ve always loved all things vintage and vintage hankies are no exception. I have a few and was wondering how I could actually use them instead of having to keep them stored away. It just seems wrong to keep all those pretty patterns in a box! Here are a few ideas I came across that show how to Repurpose Vintage Hankies!

10 Super Cute Ways to Repurpose Vintage Hankies- Don't let your pretty antique handkerchiefs stay locked away in a box. Instead, let everyone see and enjoy them by upcycling them into something new and beautiful! Check out these 10 adorable ways to repurpose vintage hankies! | #diy #upcycle #repurpose #reuse #sewing #hankies #handkerchiefs #vintage

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

Most of these ideas require sewing but are easy enough for sewing beginners. So don’t let your lack of sewing skills get in the way of upcycling your old hankies into something new and beautiful!

15 Super Cute Ways to Repurpose Vintage Hankies

  • Home Decor. Vintage handkerchiefs are so delicate and a great way to offer a feminine touch to chargers, valances, table runners, and garlands to use in decorating your home.
  • Heirlooms To Keep The Past Alive. Recreating vintage hankies into a keepsake that will be passed down from generation to generation will build a connection from old to young for years to come.
  • Upcycle Gifts. Recreate vintage hankies into useful and beautiful gifts such as quilts, baby blankets, hair bows, and jewelry bags.

1. Handkerchief Baby Bonnet

Handkerchief Baby Bonnet Tutorial 14

How adorable is this Handkerchief Baby Bonnet from Somewhat Simple? This would be a cute idea for next Easter.

2. Vintage Hankie Garland

Reality Daydream created DIY Vintage Hankie Garland Tutorial {Reality Daydream} and I think it would be stunning hanging above my old step back.

3. Vintage Hankie Valance

Vintage Hankie Valance- Found some pretty old hankies? Don't keep them stored away! Instead, check out these 10 awesome ways to repurpose vintage hankies! #repurpose #upcycle #diy #sewing #recycle #reuse #sewingProject #diyProject #craft #vintage

I love the idea of using different vintage hankies for a valance like these from Flamingo Toes. Go visit her and see all the windows she did with vintage handkerchiefs – so cute!

4. Vintage Hankies upcycled into a Handmade Baby Quilt

vintage hankies have found new life as a handmade baby quiltA Handmade Baby Quilt from Hometalk would be a wonderful to share a piece of the past with a piece of the future/

5. Cute Vintage Handkerchief Hair Bow Craft

Cute Vintage Handkerchief Hair Bow Craft- Found some pretty old hankies? Don't keep them stored away! Instead, check out these 10 awesome ways to repurpose vintage hankies! #repurpose #upcycle #diy #sewing #recycle #reuse #sewingProject #diyProject #craft #vintage

This cute hair bow is made from a vintage handkerchief. What a great way to repurpose vintage hankies! Check out the tutorial at The Mother Huddle.

6. Upcycled Antique Hankie Shirt Collar

Upcycled Antique Hankie Shirt Collar- Don't let your pretty antique handkerchiefs stay locked away in a box. Instead, let everyone see and enjoy them by upcycling them into something new and beautiful! Check out these 10 adorable ways to repurpose vintage hankies! | #diy #upcycle #repurpose #reuse #sewing #hankies #handkerchiefs #vintage

I love this idea of using a vintage hankie to make a collar! You can read the tutorial at Black and White and Loved All Over.

7. Framed Vintage Hankies

framed old hankies, repurposing upcycling, wall decor

 

Of course, you can also frame vintage hankies to make your own unique wall art! Visit Hometalk for tips on how to frame your antique handkerchiefs!

8. DIY Hankie Table Runner

DIY Hankie Table Runner- Don't let your pretty antique handkerchiefs stay locked away in a box. Instead, let everyone see and enjoy them by upcycling them into something new and beautiful! Check out these 10 adorable ways to repurpose vintage hankies! | #diy #upcycle #repurpose #reuse #sewing #hankies #handkerchiefs #vintage

Isn’t this table runner made from vintage napkins & doilies are just gorgeous! It would make any party or gathering so special. Visit The Brides Cafe for the details!

9. Bridal Hanky Sachet

This easy-to-sew Bridal Hanky Sachet from a vintage handkerchief would be the perfect gift for a bride or even a good friend for their dresser drawer. This project ideas can be found at Sew She Can.

10. Colorful vintage handkerchief apron

Colorful vintage handkerchief apron

I love the idea of making a Colorful vintage handkerchief apron for my daughter from old hankies of my grandmas like this one from Hello Sewing.

11. Vintage Handkerchief Jewellery Pouch

vintage handkerchief travel jewellery pouch

 

Sum Of Their Stories offers a pattern for a Vintage Handkerchief Jewellery Pouch. What a beautiful and cool idea when giving family heirlooms to a relative.

12. Diagonal hankie quilt with border

Diagonal hankie quilt with border

This diagonal hankie quilt from Hello Sewing is an absolute masterpiece anyone would love to have as a keepsake!

13. Upcycled Vintage Handkerchief Charger

Old hankie upcycled placemat

Lora Bloomquist created an original Upcycled Vintage Handkerchief Charger to decorate her home and it is even no sew.

14. Hanky Decor

use for a vintage hanky, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, front of the pumpkin with the vintage hanky

Home Talk used an old hanky to spruce up a pumpkin and make an adorable decor item.

15. Wreath

nostalgic diy handkerchief wreath with vintage pins, Unique handkerchief and vintage jewelry wreath

I just love this hanky wreath! See how to make it from Home Talk.

Aren’t these some great ways to recycle old handkerchiefs? If you use these great ideas, everyone will get to see and enjoy the beautiful antique hankies you’ve collected! That’s so much better than just storing them away in a box!

Do you collect vintage hankies?

10 Super Cute Ways to Repurpose Vintage Hankies- Found some pretty old hankies? Don't keep them stored away! Instead, check out these 10 awesome ways to repurpose vintage hankies! #repurpose #upcycle #diy #sewing #recycle #reuse #sewingProject #diyProject #craft #vintage

You might also be interested in: 12 Gorgeous Projects Made With Towels

12 gorgeous projects that repurpose dish towels!

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, DIY Projects, Easy Crafts, Inspiration, Link Love, Upcycling Tagged With: DIY, diy project, DIY projects, Easy Sewing Projects, How to repurpose vintage hankies, sewing, upcycling, Vintage Handkerchief Decor

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Comments

  1. Betty says

    October 28, 2014 at 7:44 am

    I love it. I am going to start collecting handerchiefs and make me some curtains for my sewing room. All clever ideas.

  2. Tammy says

    October 28, 2014 at 8:15 am

    I love vintage hankies and have a small collection from my late grandmother. After parceling them out to my siblings and cousins, there are only a few left. Three of them are framed and hanging in the bathroom. After seeing your list of ideas, I know I’m going to make some burp cloths for the new granddaughter due in January. Her mama will love them!

  3. Brenda Nuland says

    October 28, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Okay, I may have to look for inexpensive frames and try out that idea. So cute!

  4. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:36 am

    So many cute ideas…I especially love the shower curtain!

  5. Kathleen Grace says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I love the shower curtain, and I have always loved them framed. Great ideas!

  6. Lori says

    October 28, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I love vintage hankies! I stitched my grandmother’s hankie to a pillow I made with some vintage fabric. It sits in her mother’s chair that I have in the corner.

  7. Meadowsweet Cottage says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Now I’ve gotta haul Nana’s vintage hankies out of storage and see how many there are. I love the valance but framed mementos would be sweet too!

  8. Cindy says

    October 29, 2014 at 7:49 am

    All cute ideas – except maybe the burp cloths! Thanks for sharing these. I love the curtain valance and framed ones.

  9. Doreen@househoneys says

    November 2, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Such great ideas! I actually made two curtains with vintage hankies, very similar to the shower curtain.

    • Manuela Williams says

      November 4, 2014 at 3:46 pm

      Did you? I bet it’s cute! I really want one for my office/craft room. I only have a couple of vintage hankies so I’d have to buy a lot on etsy or ebay.

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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