I'm loving this creative alternative to hanging a traditional piece of art. By using finished, bold-patterned handkerchiefs, it's possible to easily add color and texture to any space without spending a fortune. And what's best about this easy DIY is that it's not static. As your décor changes or you decide to move your collection to another room, the handkerchiefs can easily be swapped out for an ever-changing display.
So I bet you're now thinking...where can I purchase such neat handkerchiefs? Try places like Etsy, Craigslist or eBay. House & Home also suggests your local flea markets and thrift shops. Or maybe you have a collection of grandma's hankies and scarves that would do the trick.
Materials
- Vintage handkerchiefs
- Album art frames
- Picture-hanging kit
For complete instructions, see the full tutorial at House & Home.
(Image: House & Home via Say Yes to Hoboken)
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Oh, I've done this! It's one of my favorite pieces of wall art, too. I found a vintage handkerchief at a thrift-antique-flea market for $1. It took me a year or longer to find a square frame at a thrift store, but I finally did! Now I just need 8 more...
Love this idea, but the instructions don't say how to attach the handkerchief in the frame. I'm not much of a DIY-er but I really want to try this with some handkerchiefs from my grandmother. More guidance would be appreciated!!!
If you don't stitch the handkerchiefs to the backing they will slip down and sag in the frames. Paper is not a sufficient backing material since that too will sag in the frame with fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
You can get white foam core or colored mat to back the handkerchief, which you can get at a craft store or frame shop fairly cheaply, if the frame is really thin, avoid foam core. Just know the dimensions of your frame or bring them with you before you get them cut.
You need a very hearty needle, a smaller needle and some light clear nylon thread to sew the handkerchief to the mat board. A few stitches at each corner should be sufficient for most handkerchiefs, and if you put the stitches in at the hem of the handkerchief, in the direction of those stitches, they will be hardly noticeable.
Use a bigger needle to pierce the mat board once you've decided where to put your stitches, go one corner at a time, it helps to use something to weigh the handkerchief down while your figuring out where to put your stitches. Then use the smaller needle to sew it down, just like a two hole button.
And measure, measure and re-measure to make sure you're sewing it down square to the mat board!
I picked up 4 gorgeous handkerchiefs this past weekend actually do to the same thing. Now just need those frames, and probably some spray paint because the frames only seem to come in black.