Oh, I’m overwhelmed. In a good way. I’ve gotten such a great response to my Vintage Hankie Scarves, so thank you all. The only problem is, I’m out of hankies. I have enough to make four or five more scarves and they’re already sold. So I don’t have any more for sale right now.
I sold this first batch of 6 scarves for $45 each + shipping, but as I’m looking around on-line for more hankies, I’m finding they can be expensive. The first batch of hankies I used were given to me, so I’m a bit spoiled. But I’m continuing to search on-line and will have something else to look for in thrift stores and antique shops.
When I get more hankies, I’ll be making more scarves, and I’ll be sure to let you all know when that happens.
Maria, If I tried to describe your beautiful Hankies…. I think/feel….. ” Wabi-Sabi.” wow!
Yeah Virginia, I can see that.
I hope I’ll be able to purchase one of these beautiful scarfs some day:-) About how many hankies do use use to make one scarf? I suppose it must depend some what on the size of the hankies. I’m guessing that they will be more expensive at the auction sites such as Ebay, though. This is a fun item to search for in thrift stores:-) I hope that the buyers of your scarfs will post photos.
I use about 13 – 14 hankies in a scarf Michele, like you said depending on the size. And now that I’m paying attention, I’m seeing they come in many different sizes.
You know, Maria–I don’t know what’s out there in thrift-land, but I’m wondering if some of the more finely done old doilies (both lace, and those embroidered on the old, light see-through type fabric) might also make neat material to add to your scarves. Was a time when you couldn’t give those away, but that has probably changed and there aren’t any more out there. . . .Just a thought in case it is of interest.
Your art is continuing to develop in astoundingly beautiful ways!
I still have some from my grandmother Anne, I’ve used lots of doillies in my work over the years.
Maria,
You inspired me to make one for myself this week with the small collection I had. I know the prices have gone out of sight. I still do find large numbers of hankies at thrift shops, Salvation Army, Goodwill, but it means going often. Church rummage sales, too. Ask everyone you know to search for you.
If you bond them they make lovely pillow tops, too. Happy you’ve sold the ones you’ve made so far. They are so lovely!
Marcia
I’ve never looked for them in thrift stores Marcia, so now I’ll be looking and maybe I’ll be surprised.
Maria, I love the vintage hankies! Had some of my mother’s from the 20’s & 30’s given to her by a frend every year for her birthday. Decided to use them in a quilt. Without cutting the precious items, I sewed them into a top, centered by a photo transfer of my mother and her friend. The quilt was edged with crocheted lace made by my grandmother!
May I “borrow” your idea of making a scarf with some of those remaining?
I bet your quilt it beautiful Joan. Please do use my idea, sounds like you’ll have no trouble making yourself a scarf.
They are so exquisite! No wonder they are flying out your door as quickly as you make them. Not long ago my husband bought me a handmade scarf of ribbons. I *think* he paid $65 (possibly more) for it. I don’t think it would be unreasonable at all to increase your price for these beauties.
I’m so inspired by your lovely handkerchief scarves that I’m scouring around here to find enough in my own stash as well as consignment shops to make one for myself.
Have fun finding hankies and making your scarf Jennifer!
Maria, your hankie scarves are beautiful. Seeing them reminds me of my youth. Nowadays, it is difficult to find beautiful hankies. When I was little, I always gave them as gifts to my mother, my grandmother and my favorite aunt, Sylvia. They were always beautiful, trimmed in lace, monogramed or with embroidered flowers. Somehow I remember one that I gave my aunt; it had lavender pansies embroidered on them. It was perfect for her because she loved lavenders and pinks; when I think about it now, that is probably why I’m partial to those colors.
When my mother and father passed away, I saved some of them for myself. They are tangible pieces of wonderful memories.
It is difficult to find hankies now. I guess we live in a world of Scotties and Kleenex tissues–disposable items. I suppose if we really thought about it and wanted to preserve our environment, we’d all go back to hankies.
Please let me know when you get some that you plan to make into a scarf. I’d love to order one. I’ll look through the ones I have and see if I have enough to send you. Some of mine even have my name on them. The problem is I hate to part with them.
Thanks for opening up my window of memories.
Enjoy your day and all of the good things it brings you.
Fondly,
Jane
You always have the most wonderful stories and memories Jane. If you find some hankies you would like to have me use in a scarf for you just let me know. Other wise I’ll be in touch when I have more scarves available.
Maria-
I’ll be on the look out for hankies in this neck of the woods for you. I have several of my own that I would love to be made into a scarf; many of them are from my Nana how tatted the edges.
I can do that Jill, I already have a couple of people sending me their hankies to have scarves made.
These scarves look wonderful! I have been wondering if vintage napkins or tablerunners would also work? Maybe linen would be a bit bulky but I know there’s other types like cottonout there..
it really does depend on the fabric and the colors Sue. I love the transparency of the hankies.
These scarves are so amazingly beautiful! Your search for vintage hankies is worth the effort, for sure. Annie
Thank you for your kind words Maria. I do so love to write. Sometimes the things that you do and say help to bring old memories flooding back to me. I’ll look through my hankies and see if there are some that would be of good for something you could make for me. If not, I’ll just wait patiently for one.
Congratulations on your riding experience. As a child, I was always afraid of horses. Now I am sorry as I realize how much I missed.
When I was young I used to go to day camp during the summer. On horseback riding days, we’d go out to the stables and all of the other girls would ride and I’d wait for them by the coke machine. When I finally got the courage to get on a horse, the counselors put me on a horse named Rooney. He was blind in one eye and they told me that if I leaned on that side when I was riding, he would throw me off. Not a great way to help a youngster overcome her fear. I never got on another horse again, and I am sorry.
Have a lovely evening.
Jane
These are FANTASTIC. I want to hang them on my porch. May I please have six? (I bought gobs of your potholders too for hanging in my kitchen. I can’t help it. Your work speaks to the old farm lady in me)
The longer the better. I am imagining them trailing around the hanging plants!
Wow Ellen, that would look gorgeous. I’m on the way to getting more hankies, Then I’ll have more for sale.
Please put me on your list for the lovely hanky scarves when they are available again for purchase.
Ginnie, it would be great if you could email me at [email protected]. It’s easier for me to keep track of people through my email. THanks!