Sew and No-Sew Handkerchief Garland Tutorial

After you've dried your tears and wiped your nose, you might be wondering what you could do with your collection of hankies.

Why not turn those handkerchiefs into a garland?  I've got both a no-sew and sew option...so keep on reading.

Don't have a collection of hankies?  Flea markets, Etsy and ebay are great places to hunt for them.  They typically run between $1-$4 per handkerchief.

Since the likelihood is great that the hankies were indeed used to dry tears and wipe noses, I start by washing them in a gentle cycle.  After they've been washed, I iron the handkerchiefs, folded into a triangle across the bias, and apply starch to give the delicate hankies some structure.

First up, the sew version.  *Keep reading for the no-sew version.

Grab some double biased tape.  Open the double biased tape and nestle the long folded section of the handkerchief in between, pinning it into place. 

Continue pinning each hankie into place.  I lined my hankies up so where one ended the next one began.

Head to your sewing machine. Doing either a straight stitch or zigzag, sew the handkerchiefs into place.

When you are done, find someplace to hang them up...

And, enjoy.

Like the look but don't like to sew?

I've got a no-sew version for you as well.
 

Fold your handkerchiefs up and pin them into place on either twine or the bias tape with clothespins.

 

No sewing required.

Don't have handkerchiefs?  No problem.

You can also use some bandanas.  

Another no sew option, just place the bandanas over the twine or bias tape.

Sew or no-sew, this hankie garland is easy enough that it should case any tears.

Of course, if it does, you can always dry your tears or wipe your nose with one of your hankies :)



Originally shared with:

Ikea Table Makeover

 

Grace has one of those plain white Ikea tables which has suited our purposes for crafting and the occasional tea party but lacked a bit of character.

I decided to overcome my fear of Mod Podge, when I came across this pretty pink and green floral paper, from Dick Blick, in hopes that it would give our boring white table a bit of character and charm.

Do you have a boring table of your own and want to learn how to make it over?  Gather the following supplies.

First, you'll apply a thin EVEN layer of Mod Podge to the clean table top.  Slowly put the paper in place, over the coat of Mod Podge you applied.  Press it down firmly and flatly.

Then wait {hence the requirement patience and time}.

Once fully dry, apply a layer of Mod Podge over the top of the paper to seal the paper.

Then wait.

Once fully dry, apply another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the paper.

Then wait.

When fully dry, throw a tea party.

Or allow the creative juices to flow and do some crafting.

If only all makeovers simply required a little Mod Podge :)

 

Snow Tea Parties

When you have an abundance of snow, sure you could make a snowman, OR you could throw a snow tea party.

A snow tea party to which you are cordially invited to attend.

What, you might ask, do you serve at a snow tea party?

Snow, of course. 

We have, what seems, an endless supply of snow so feel free to help yourself to as much as you would like.

We'll make sure your cup is never empty.

After an unfortunate incident (a snow chair crumbling beneath me), we made sure that all the snow chairs were properly reinforced.

A simple moment.

When your cheeks get too rosy, we'll send you on your way.

Looking down self portrait.

So, next time you have an abundance of snow, why not make yourself a snow table and chairs and throw your own snow tea party.

If snow tea parties aren't your thing, you can always make a larger than life snowman (made by a neighbor).

Or, perhaps you think snowmen and snow tea parties are for the dogs (made by another neighbor)...

Regardless, make the most of your day, snow or no snow.

Tea Party

Grace received the most adorable Peter Rabbit themed porcelain tea set for her birthday.

Each cup has a different Peter Rabbit scene.  Each saucer has a quote from the Peter Rabbit books circling the rim.

Since Grace, Age 4 LOVES

A proper tea party was to be had.

And, Grace played the role of hostess to perfection.

It was a good day.

Tea for Two...and an uninvited guest

My mom, the Queen of Quilts {a title I have given to her}, made Grace the sweetest quilt. The material she used in the chevron design has dainty tea pots and tea cups. It's like this quilt is just screaming to be used for a tea party.

So that's just what we did and it was the perfect accessory to our tea party...

well, that and pearls, of course.

And, then of course, there is the tea set. It was lovingly made for me by my grandma and I've now handed it down to Grace to create her own memories with.

Though, it appears, I am still creating memories with it as well.

We worried the ants might invade our tea party but, instead, it was Riley.

Grace kept saying, this tea party is delightful and I couldn't have agreed more.

This was definitely a moment that memories are made of.