20 Hankies Make A Quilt!
I’m on a hankie kick! I realized, everybody has them, many collect them, and grandma left a LOT of them!
Yes, these are all hankies! Unbelievable really. The variety is stunning! This entire quilt was created on the long arm. I started with a 1950’s tablecloth, quilted a nice circle meander over the whole thing, then began a sort of applique on top of the quilted tablecloth.
I started with laying it out on the floor, placing each “block”, and then using a blue water erase pen to mark where they would all go. I also numbered each hankie with the corresponding place on the tablecloth.
I actually started with the middle square and worked out. I used a mix of computer designs and my own free motion. Under each hankie is a piece of white fabric and another piece of batting. I also double batted the tablecloth, so there’s a lot of batting on this quilt!
Now, imagine these were your grandmother’s hankies, put away in a trunk or dresser drawer for years. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to put them on display?
My home state, Kansas. I realized there really aren’t many rivers across Kansas, especially when I needed more quilting lines! I let each hankie take on it’s own personality. Enjoy the show!
If you are a lover and quilter, or wanna be quilter, of vintage linens, join our Facebook group Quilting Vintage! for inspiration and support, and always, always, ALWAYS…..sign and date your work! Your great grandchildren will thank you!
Mary Ann
September 3, 2015
This is just stunning!
Christy Isom
February 24, 2018
Amazing!!
Kelly
March 1, 2018
Thanks Christy!
Оксана
September 4, 2015
Невероятная идея! очень красиво
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September 4, 2015
Translation is “Fabulous idea, very beautiful!” To that, thank you so much! I love to inspire in other languages!
Carole S.
September 4, 2015
Kelly, your work is so inspiring and creative. Thank you for sharing your talents!
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September 4, 2015
Thanks so much Carole!
Christa
September 4, 2015
This is gorgeous!
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September 4, 2015
Thanks so much Christa!!
Lorraine
September 4, 2015
Fabulous!
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September 4, 2015
Thanks Lorraine!
Malinda
September 4, 2015
Stunning! I love the combination of computerized and hand guided quilting. I never thought of doing that.
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September 4, 2015
Thanks Malinda, I love to mix and match!
Bernie
September 4, 2015
This is so pretty. I have a small collection of vintage hankies but somehow I don’t think my result would be nearly the same! Your quilting is a work of art.
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September 4, 2015
Thanks Bernie! Start simple! It’s amazing what you can do with a hankie!
Joyce
September 4, 2015
What a wonderful way to preserve those hankerchiefs! You do such awesome work! Thank you for sharing!
Carie
September 4, 2015
Oh Kelly this is absolutely jaw droppingly stunning! What a wonderful way to show off your vintage treasures.
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September 4, 2015
Thank you Carie!!
Sandra
September 4, 2015
Your quilt is amazing. Such a beautiful work. I have a lot of these hankies and did not exactly what to with them. Your ideas are just – WOW, such an inspiration. Thank you.
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September 4, 2015
Thanks Sandra! They are super addictive. Glad you were inspired!
Jackie
September 4, 2015
What a beautiful tribute to you Grandma. The quilting is gorgeous.
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September 4, 2015
Thanks Jackie!
Sherry
September 4, 2015
Your work is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
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September 8, 2015
Thanks Sherry!
TerriSue
September 4, 2015
I am also from Kansas, and have a couple of Kansas handkerchiefs. I use my handkerchiefs every day as they were intended. We don’t use any disposable paper goods in our house. Even our TP is made from bamboo and the refuse sugar cane that is left after making sugar. I do keep my hankies for upcycling when they ave become threadbare in places. Until then I iron them weekly and get out a clean one everyday for my pocket. Your quilt is beautiful, I keep my grandmothers hankies on display by using them. That is what they were meant for. I think my grandmother is pleased by my thriftiness and care for my environment.
Lynn Hranac
September 5, 2015
Thank you for sharing your work! It is amazing! I love that you use old and vintage linens, I have a small collection that I didn’t know what to do with. I will take a page from your book and add pieces to my quilting! Thank you.
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September 8, 2015
Thanks Lynn! Glad you could get some ideas!
Mary Ann W K
September 7, 2015
Looks terrific. Also, a great way to use a vintage tablecloth. Could you please let us know the finished size of the piece? Thanks.
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September 7, 2015
Hi Mary Ann and thanks! Finished size is 47″ x 48″.
Joey Strange
February 28, 2017
Love this idea! Thanks sew much!
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March 2, 2017
Thanks Joey!
Carol LaPorte
September 3, 2017
I’m wondering if you overall quilted the tablecloth after marking the position of the hankies or if you quilted the spaces around the hankie spots. So beautiful and inspiring!
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September 4, 2017
The post takes you through the process and explains that yes, I did an all over, circle meander over the whole, then “appliqued” the hankies on top. Thanks, glad you like it!
Carol LaPorte
September 4, 2017
Thanks for answering. Your work is beautiful and inspirational!
Elizabeth
June 12, 2018
I can quilt better on my sit down machine. I cannot wait until I can longarm quilt as well.
Kelly
June 16, 2018
And I’m just the opposite!!