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!
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
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
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
A 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This diagonal hankie quilt from Hello Sewing is an absolute masterpiece anyone would love to have as a keepsake!
13. Upcycled Vintage Handkerchief Charger
Lora Bloomquist created an original Upcycled Vintage Handkerchief Charger to decorate her home and it is even no sew.
14. Hanky Decor
Home Talk used an old hanky to spruce up a pumpkin and make an adorable decor item.
15. 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?
You might also be interested in: 12 Gorgeous Projects Made With Towels
I love it. I am going to start collecting handerchiefs and make me some curtains for my sewing room. All clever ideas.
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!
Okay, I may have to look for inexpensive frames and try out that idea. So cute!
So many cute ideas…I especially love the shower curtain!
I love the shower curtain, and I have always loved them framed. Great ideas!
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.
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!
All cute ideas – except maybe the burp cloths! Thanks for sharing these. I love the curtain valance and framed ones.
Such great ideas! I actually made two curtains with vintage hankies, very similar to the shower curtain.
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.