I made these simple handkerchiefs recently for my hankie-toting dad. Best I can recall, they're the first handmade gift I've given him since painting a rock in his image complete with sunshine yellow hair and a black-red slash mouth back in my kinder years. (Dad's hair was black at the time, but the black and red had run together, so obviously yellow was the next logical choice.) That rock was an overwhelming success. I know that because it still resides on his office desk.
These handkerchiefs are simple 16x16-inch squares with a 1/4 inch hem. One new technique I tried out was to sew along the raw edges half an inch in using my machine's seam guide (making what would become the new finished edge) before turning the hem. Doing so made my pressed edge much crisper and saved me from all of the precise measuring and marking that typically go along with hemming.
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10 comments:
Ooh, what a great idea. I wish the men in my life carried hankies. Actually, I need to carry them, so I may just use it on myself. I love that tip about sewing on the 1/2 inch as your guide. I'll have to try that. I love your fabric choices, and it is so sweet he still has that rock.
You do need hankies. Why didn't I think of that? Try the tip and see what you think. You do have stitches on the edge, but that's no big, if your thread blends. About the rock - I know, right? I think he still has a few of my drawings (of the apple-laden trees surrounded by over-sized, pink flowers and happy butterflies variety) in his office, too. Sweet.
Such a neat idea! My dad carries hankies.... I'll have to remember this for future gifting.
Jessica, it is hard to come up with Dad gifts, at least for me. My dad's very old school about this kind of thing. In fact, he probably just keeps these in his drawer and continues to use his 15 year old, threadbare hankies (but would never tell me that, of course). Still, I had to go for it while I had a handmade idea for him. Those are few and far between!
This is a great idea! My NaNa uses hankies for teary eyes. I think they should be smaller though...hmm. What blend of fabric did you use?? I guess it needs to be softer than just cotton broadcloth or something for using to wipe eyes.
Auntie M, I used a soft quilter's cotton, not a blend. I chose that size based on the size my dad's ol' faithful hankies. Glad you like the idea...
Thank you for the response! I'm a nervous fabric cutter and chooser. I appreciate your time and tips! :-)
Hi, I came over from mmmcrafts and I fell in love with your blog. Cute projects! Love the shower curtain.
Pink Stitches - hello, thanks and welcome!
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