I am always on the looking for fun vintage goodies at the thrift stores – you can usually find much better prices on things there rather than antique stores. Though sometimes they are a little more “loved”. And by loved I mean stains and holes and such. But sometimes you can get great deals because of that! Those pieces are perfect for crafting and sewing. It makes it a lot easier to cut into them that way too.
That is just the case with this little easy vintage handkerchief necklace! This handkerchief was a mess – with big holes in it. But it also had these sweet little embroidered flowers – just waiting to be rescued.
The necklace is unbelievably easy so that’s a bonus and it would be a great gift! Oooooh – or a way to preserve a family keepsake!
You’ll just need a few supplies –
- A Glass Pendant Frame – check your local craft store or Etsy. I got mine here.
- Vintage handkerchief, runner or other pretty piece
- Clear glue
For your frame, you basically want a piece that has glass on both sides. This piece has a hinge on one side, and a little lock on the other.
Try out your pendant on a few different pieces or sections to see what you like best. Trace around the pendant then cut out your piece.
Trim a little further around your handkerchief until if fits into the frame with no overlap. Add just a bit of clear glue around the edges so the fabric doesn’t shift, then place in your pendant. I recommend gluing the little lock closed as well or it could slip open.
Now all you need to do is add your pendant to a chain and you’re done. See? Soooo easy!
I just love that colorful embroidery!
If you make one up I’d love to see it! I think I’ll be making a few more – I have found several more pieces that will look great as necklaces!
LOVE YOUR IDEA — crating a Vintage hanky pendant for a COOL necklace! Simple directions: cut the vintage embroidered roses portion of a vintage hanky & insert it in a glass-enclosed pendant! CLEVER INDEED! In fact, I have saved several fine linen ‘like-new’ hankies my mother gave me from her mother. They’re packed in a box for 40 years, so it’s time for me to follow your directions and bring them to the “light of day”! THANKS for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis
This is stunning! You are so clever, and everything you make is so pretty!
Love it! Pinning to share!
What a great idea! I have a box of vintage ladies handkerchiefs I bought at auction a while back. I have been trying to decide what to make out of them, but I never once thought about this.
What a beautiful way to showcase such beautiful handiwork.
This is absolute lovely. I too adore vintage handkerchiefs, and have several, though they are in storage in NC. I’m in SE TX. When I saw your name, though I had to share. You see, I gained my love via a friendship with a feisty gal, also known as “Bev”, though most of us who knew and loved her called her Ms. B. She was like a 2nd mother to me, and I was bff with her oldest daughter as well. I also claim the younger daughter, as a friend, but she lived in a different part of my home state (OH) so we didn’t get together as often. Anyway, Ms. B was a pistol, and you loved her or you didn’t. She battled valiantly for 10 yrs with cancer before loosing that battle, but she taught me so much about antiques, vintage and life in general. I just thought it was a reminder from her that she is still with me, to have another “Ms. B.” create a post about something that was so special to she and I. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Hello, I’m here from Two Uses Tuesday! I really love this idea. I’ll have to try it out sometime- I have an old suitcase filled with vintage handkerchiefs! Thank you for the lovely DIY :)
Love this! You and I both share a real love for the vintage linens…I know I can’t get enough. Happy-almost-September and thank you for swinging by Snickerdoodle Sunday! Hope to see you again this weekend. :)
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we love partying with you! Hope to see you next Friday. :)
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Perfection! Very creative. I wanted to let you know that I’m featuring this post tonight at the Create & Share Link Party (7:00 PM MST)! Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to see what you share with us this week. :)
Supercool!!
What does the back look like?
How sweet (and simple)! Will definitely be making this with some vintage hankies I found at our local Disabled Veterans Thrift Store!
Hugs,
Montague