Believe it or not there are actual rules to handkerchief usage. Follow these simple rules so you are not guilty of a hanky faux pas!

1. First, always start the day with a clean, ironed and neatly folded handkerchief. After the handkerchief is used, it is acceptable to stuff the handkerchief back into a handbag or pocket without being folded.

2. Cover your mouth and nose with your handkerchief when you sneeze. If you really want to be proper, give your handkerchief a little shake before bringing it up to your face.

3. It is extremely chivalrous for a man to offer a lady his handkerchief, however he should only do so when the handkerchief is clean and unused.

I love getting hanky inspiration from all over and when I saw this napkin table-runner idea I immediately thought of handkerchiefs. I think it would be so lovely to use different handkerchiefs to create a table runner. Use one handkerchief under a cake plate when your serving an apple streussel to guests. And why stop at a table-runner? Why not swap out doilies for handkerchiefs? A hanky would look great under a vinatge lamp on a tiny nightstand.

I often receive inquiries from customers on how to care for their hanky collection. Here is what I recommend for washing your new and vintage handkerchiefs:

1. Hand-wash your handkerchiefs in warm water and a gentle detergent.

2. Hang the handkerchiefs and allow them to air-dry or tumble in dryer on warm setting.

3. If you are storing your hankies, line a plastic air-tight storage container with acid-free tissue paper and roll each hanky in the tissue paper. Store the container in a cool, dry closet and make sure they are out of direct sunlight which may deteriorate the fabric.

The handkerchief doll is a church craft bazaar staple! These old-time, little dolls are perfect to accessorize a holiday gift bag or box.

To begin, place polyester fiberfill in the center of a 6″x6″ piece of fabric. This is the head of your doll so make it as large or small as you want it. Wrap the fabric around the polyester fiberfill to form a ball and hand sew the fabric together that you have gathered under the ball. Cut off the remaining fabric under the part that you have sewn.  

Handkerchief dolls look sweet with lace trim at the bottom. If you would like, you can sew lace trim or cluny on the bottom of the handkerchief. Many Happy Hanky styles already have the cottom cluny trim so this would save you a step.

After you have sewn on your trim, lay the handkerchief flat on the table. Place the head toward the top and center of the handkerhief and fold the handkerchief over the ball one time. Tie a lovely ribbon that matches your hanky just below the ball to form the neck.

Tie a little knot behind the head of the doll using the sides of the handkerchief. This will make the sides of the hanky stick out on either side of the head like angel wings.

Lastly, decorate your doll using lace trim and other small delicate accessories.

I hope you were able to get creative this week and try at least one of the “5 Hanky Projects In 5 Days”! Have a good weekend!

I love to bake when I have the time and of course I have to wear a super cute apron when I’m in the kitchen. This handkerchief apron is sweet and so simple to make…you’ll want to make them for all of your friends for the holidays! First purchase a plain half apron without pockets. Then choose two handkerchiefs that compliment the apron and you would like to use as pockets. Using a sewing machine, sew three sides of each handkerchief to the apron leaving the top portion unsewn so that it falls into a natural drape. If you want to get fancy, try sewing lace onto the pockets! Voila! Your own handkerchief apron! 

Picture from Craftbits.

Handkerchiefs are so beautiful and decorative so why not frame them?! The best part of handkerchief wall art is it is an inexpensive way of sprucing up a bathroom, decorating a little girl’s nursery or adding interest to a guest bedroom. First thing you need to do is enjoy shopping for the hankies in the color palette that you are looking for! Just like my home decor, I like to mix old and new. So start with a Happy Hanky style that you’ve been wanting to add to your collection and will match your decor then hit some antique stores to pick up vintage hankies to match. Try to make sure all your hankies are approximately the same size…it will help when you are shopping for your picture frames.   After you have your handkerchiefs and picture frames, you need to choose a backing that is acid free. I like using either paper or fabric that will compliment the patterns in the hankies. Next place your hankies upside down on the glass of the frame and place the backing on top. You may need to use a piece of cardboard to give the hankies a tight fit in the frame. Lastly hang your handkerchief wall art in an interesting pattern on your wall and enjoy the compliments from your friends!!  

Give a friend two gifts instead of one! First select a Happy Hanky handkerchief  that your friend will love. Lay the handkerchief flat on a table and wrap the box (a small jewelry box works best) by gathering all four edges of the hanky into the center. Next secure all the hanky edges in the center of the box by using a pretty ribbon, string or twine. Add faux flowers, a gift tag or other accessory to give it that little something extra! Your friend is going to love receiving their Happy Hanky wrapped gift!

Today starts “5 Hanky Projects In 5 Days”. Each day this week I will detail a project that you can do using handkerchiefs.  

First choose two super cute handkerchiefs. To begin making your handkerchief pillow, first lay the handkerchiefs on top of each other so the edges are lined up.  Next sew your handkerchief edges together by placing the middle of one edge onto your sewing machine using ¼” seam allowance. Sew all sides of your handkerchiefs leaving one corner unstitched.  This will be the hole that you use to stuff your handkerchief pillow using cotton pillow stuffing. If you are having a difficult time getting the cotton into the pillow, try using chopstix to push the filling in. Make sure you stuff the pillow enough so it does not appear flat especially when it is leaned on. Lastly, using a needle and thread, sew up the fourth corner of your handkerchief pillow. Yea! Your first handkerchief pillow!
 

Pictures are from NanaLulu’s Linens.

Collecting vintage handkerchiefs is a fun and inexpensive hobby that I just love. They can be found in antique stores, on Ebay, at flea markets and estate sales. For me, this is the best time of year to go “handkerchief-ing”  at the antique stores in Lambertville, NJ. The weather is perfect for a stroll and I feel so satisfied walking back to my car with little bags filled with hankies.  Though I have not met anyone that has gotten rich off collecting and selling hankies, some are actually worth more than others. My absolute favorite ones to collect are the Burmel hankies from the Handkerchief of the Month Club that was seen in Vogue magazine in the 1950’s. I will never forget when I found a handkerchief at a flea market with the Burmel tag still attached!            

(side note…if you decide to take a trip to Lambertville, make sure you have breakfast at the Full Moon Cafe!)

 

Next week starts “5 Hanky Projects in 5 Days”. Each day I will show you a new, creative way to use your handkerchiefs! Have a good weekend and Happy Halloween!