Make a Handkerchief
A handkerchief (kerchief or hanky), is a folded square piece of fabric that can be carried in your pocket or purse. Generally used for personal hygiene, it can also be used as a fashion accessory by placing it decoratively in the breast pocket of a suit jacket. While you can still buy handkerchiefs for men in most department stores, finding a woman's handkerchief can involve hours of searching antique stores. However, whether you want a man's kerchief or a woman's, you can follow the instructions below and make one for yourself.
Steps
- Purchase the fabric. Check the fabric content to see what kind of maintenance it will require in order to stay looking good. For everyday use, you will probably want something that is washable and requires little ironing.
- Rather than purchase fabric, look around in your scraps. This is a great project for using up leftovers or recycling old fabrics. Especially if you are making hankies for everyday use, try old bandannas or pillowcases for the fabric. The advantage is, you will already know how the fabric behaves and holds up.
- Wash and/or dry the fabric according to the manufacturer's instructions (before you make the handkerchief), and press.
- Using a ruler, measure and mark on your fabric the size handkerchief you want to make, plus two inches (5cm).
- Typically, a man's handkerchief is 12x12 inches (about 30cm) square. A woman's is 8x8 (22cm) square, but since you are making your own, you may make it any size you prefer.
- Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the square(s).
- Fold the edge over 1/2 inch (about 12mm) and press.
- Fold over another 1/2 inch (about 12mm) and press.
- Using your sewing machine, stitch the edge all the way around.
- Iron and fold.
- Finished.
Tips
- Handkerchiefs are generally made of cotton or a cotton/linen blend.
- You can use an identical technique to make napkins of any size and shape. Make large, square ones for formal dining or smaller ones (rectangular, if you like) for everyday use or to put in your lunch box to cut down on waste.
- For a different look, sew the edge by hand with thread in a contrasting color.
- Cut the fabric with pinking shears for less fraying (it cuts in a zigzag pattern).
- You can also try a decorative stitch on your sewing machine for a more finished edge, or a different finish.
- Try embroidering your handkerchief. The art of embroidery is old, but still very popular today. If you know a few simple stitches you can add flowers, or even a decorative edge to your hanky. If you are giving as a gift you could embroider the persons name or initials on it.
- You could also try to zig-zag stitch the raw edge of the material to stop it from fraying.
- You could do Needle Tatting around the edge of your hankie for a more feminine and antique look!
Warnings
- Use needles, scissors, irons, fabric shears, and sewing machines with appropriate caution.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine/Needle and Thread
- Iron
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