Crafted Gifts: Handkerchiefs

Homemade handkerchiefs are great gifts for many different kinds of people on your gift crafting list. They can be colorful or pure white, delicate or sturdy, and fit many different recipients and occasions.

Many older gentlemen, especially in rural areas still regularly carry handkerchiefs every day. They will very much appreciate a gift of homemade handkerchiefs, because these can be very difficult to find ready made in the many designs and colors that were produced in the past.

Younger people can also enjoy a gift of a handkerchief though. They are much better for the environment than Kleenex and other disposable tissues, and are a wonderful way to show off personality and interests through design choice.

To make homemade handkerchiefs, you simply need to know how to measure and hem. The design can be as simple as a regular pressed and stitched hemmed square, or as elaborate as a scalloped hand rolled hem. The borders can be left plain, or can be crocheted or tatted with lace. Designs can be embroidered, appliquéd, or screen printed in the corners or along the edges of the fabric.

Recycling fabric from thrift store sheets is another level to this green craft. Many sheets are very high quality cotton fabrics, and they generally are just worn in the middles, with lots of great value fabric along the edges that is still very usable.

Another fabric choice could be flannel scraps from quilting or other projects. Flannel is soft and absorbent, making a great choice for handkerchiefs.

Beautiful linen is a classic choice for handkerchiefs and would be a perfect choice for a very formal occasion, like a wedding. Linen handkerchiefs are a wonderfully traditional (yet original for today's brides) gifts for the wedding party and the mothers of the bride and groom.

A handkerchief needn't even be used for nose blowing to be a great gift. They are very pretty lining boxes and baskets to hold toiletries and jewelry, can be transformed into pretty purse sachets with just a spritz of perfume, and manly monogrammed ones can make very unique pocket squares.

Handkerchiefs can be anywhere between 12 inches and 18 inches square. Any larger than that, and they become unwieldy to carry. This especially true for thicker fabrics, like flannel. A serged rolled hem is a very neat and sturdy finish for the edges, but they can be hemmed many ways. Traditional hem stitching is a very impressive and great looking finish for the edges of a linen handkerchief, as is drawn thread embroidery.

When you are looking for original and memorable gifts to craft for friends and family, a handkerchief can be the perfect answer.