For years I've wanted to do something with a collection of 1950's handkerchiefs from my grandmother. Seeing handkerchief butterfly quilts on Pinterest led me to my solution. I folded and ironed hankies into various butterfly wing shapes, and stabilized them with fusible woven interfacing on the back. The interfacing also served to make them less see-through. Three rectangular panels were created so these can be given as heirloom pieces to several grandchildren. First, the quilt panels were quilted with free-form straight-stitching. Then the handkerchief butterflies, the butterfly bodies and a doilie and circular linen dresser scarf were appliqued by both machine and hand, as needed. The butterfly antennae and legs are machine-embroidered.
