Ways to Use Old Hankies

If you have an old handkerchief or two lying around, I’ll bet they are packed in your drawer somewhere where you never get a chance to see them. If that’s the case, pull them out of there! Vintage hankies, especially when they have sentimental value, are a wonderful way to add some personality and charm to your house. Here are a couple ideas on how to use them.

Use as Table Runner
Lightly sew hankies together end to end and use for a table decoration. Think of how this piece of family history will add to the dinner conversation.

As Part of a Decorative Pillow
I have my mother’s wedding handkerchief on a pillow that sits on my bed. It’s a decorative pillow, so I don’t use it, but I love to see it there every day. The best part about this pillow is that the handkerchief is still in one piece. It wasn’t chopped up and sewn on. Instead, it’s lightly tacked on the front. I folded the hankie in half kiddie corner and hand sewed a loose stitch along the top to the front of the pillow.

Use as a Window Treatment
Along way to use hankies (without cutting them) is to use them as a window treatment. Simply iron and fold, and place along the top of your window. This can dress up an existing plain curtain or be a light treatment all by itself.

Display Them
Place a special hankie in a shadow box along with a charm or bracelet from the person who gave it to you. What a nice way to remember a loved one.

Doilies
Place a hankie underneath a picture, book, or vase.

Ornament
Create a “hankie angel” by gathering the hankie with thread to create a head, then leave the remainder free for the “wings.” Hang on the Christmas tree.

Give as Gifts
Don’t forget that if you have some vintage hankies from your family, they make wonderful gifts as well. Make sure the hankie has some sentimental value to it, and be sure to write out the story of the hankie in a card that the recipient can keep. My aunt did this for me when I got married, and I loved the fact that she gave me such a valued piece of her history. It made the day that much more special for me.

Images: Morguefile and Cherie Burbach.