Vintage Handkerchief Ornaments
One of my most favorite things about helping with the decorations a Vintage Inspired Baby Shower was going antique shopping with my Mother-In-Law and collecting vintage handkerchiefs. I bought so many of them because I kept finding so many beautiful colors and patterns and even shapes. Now that the baby shower is over, I have all these beautiful handkerchiefs with nothing to do with them. After some thought, I decided to make some Vintage Handkerchief Ornaments. Now I would be able to preserve and display them in a unique way.
Aren’t they pretty? This post isn’t really a tutorial per se, because it’s obvious how to make them, HOWEVER I did run across some helpful tips when putting them together in these glass ornaments
I got at the craft store.
Being the Geek that I am, I was trying to figure out how to fold each handkerchief so that they would fit through a small hole, and look pretty while inside. After several trials and errors, I came upon Tip #1.
Tip #1: Don’t fold the handkerchief, it looks best when you start with a corner and stuff it in there haphazardly!
Because I tried several times at folding and stuffing I noticed that several (almost all) of these glass bulbs had sharp edges around the opening.
Tip #2: To prevent from cutting your fingers AND ripping the handkerchiefs, use a pen or chopstick
to stuff the handkerchief inside the bulb. You can also use the stick to maneuver and shape the handkerchief as you like.
There were several times when I had to take the handkerchief out and start over.
Tip #3: Use a pair of tweezers
to pull your handkerchief out if needed. Be careful not to rip the handkerchief on those nasty sharp edges!
After I stuffed all my bulbs, I used the ribbon from these baby shower decorations I made to re-use as a hanger for each ornament. I used different colors, thicknesses, and materials.
I thought they turned out quite nice and I can’t wait to put them on my tree!
These are really beautiful! I think I’ll have to try this for this Christmas for sure.
Thank you, Lisa!
What size glass ball did you use for the handkerchiefs? I’m going to try this for each of my brothers from our nana’s collection. I ‘m thinking if I put some tape around the sharp edge that may help.
Thanks for the beautiful ideas.
Wendy
Hi Wendy! Thank you! OK, don’t laugh at me but the boxes for the bulbs I used are in the container that I have covered by a table cloth that my mini Christmas tree is standing on! BUT I looked at the bulbs with the widest mouths. I ended up using a large ball and a medium one too. I hope this helps!
Beautiful!
Thanks, Joni!
I have hundreds of old hankies from collecting over the years so thank you for the great idea!!!
Thank you for All of your Christmas ornament ideas a tips!
Thank you for your excellent tips! Love the Christmas ornaments!
Thank you so much, Sylivia! So glad you like them!
OMG I love this idea. My grandmother gave me a few of her handkerchief when she passed away.They are over 70 years old. I will put them in the ornament and put her name on them. Love it
GREAT!! I’m so glad you liked this, Nancy. I still love taking them out and seeing them every Christmas.This is a great way to remember your grandmother.
What a great idea! They look beautiful!