Many people have emailed me for information on making handkerchief quilts. Here are some basic instructions and a list of resources.

• Handkerchiefs are not uniform size. Therefore, they must be applied to a backing block. If the hankies for your quilt range in size from 11 inch to 14 inch, you will need to prepare backing blocks that are larger than the largest hanky plus seam allowence, or 14 1/4 inches to 15 1/2 inches.
• Prepare the backing blocks and hankys. Be sure the hankies are ironed and clean. Fold the backing blocks in half and half again, then diagonally. Open up the backing block and use the crease lines to center the hanky. Pin hanky in place.
• Apply the hanky with a whip stitch, or machine stitch it on with matching thread.
• Treat the hanky blocks as you would pieced or appliqued blocks for a quilt.

Past Treasures, by Nancy A. Bekofske. Printed hanky, white hankies with tatted edges, embroidered hankies, embroidered pillowcase, embellished with pins, buttons, and crotched gloves.

Books with hanky quilt patterns are often found on eBay, including:

Bloom, by Allison Jane Smith, Plaids & Prints; includes a children's hanky quilt pattern

Handkerchief Quilts, Sharon Newman, American School of Needlework, 1992; patterns for white and print hankies, the folded hanky butterfly quilt block

pattern from Newman book

Handkerchief Quilts, Pat Long Gardner, EPM, 1993; ideas for using hankies in wall quilts. Not a pattern book but offers basic design helps.

'Leibestraum', inspired by Gardner book

Hanky Panky Quilts, Cindy Brick, American School of Needlework, 2002;  hankies in crazy quilt wall hangings

inspired by Brick book

Hooked on Hankies, Laurene Sinema and Janet Carruth, Design Originals, 2005; hanky butterfly quilt, many hanky and embroidery quilt patterns

Memory Quilts in the Making, Rhonda Richards, Oxford House, 1999; hankies and vintage linens in memory quilts

Saucy Senorita quilt pattern by Jane Tenoria-Coscarelli, quarterinchpublishing.com

I hope this guide is of help. Happy quilting!

Nancy

Mary Pickford Quilt by Nancy A. Bekofske, vintage textiles, laces, handkerchiefs embellished with vintage buttons and pins.