folded white handkerchief with embroidered floral letter A

Make a Hankie

Week 8

It doesn't take much to make your own hankie and by keeping one on you, you'll have no need to waste a paper napkin when you're out and about. Note: this tutorial is only for the napkin itself, not a lesson on embroidery.

What you'll need

  • Fabric remnants/old pillowcase/tired clothes - you can use anything, but natural fabrics are typically more absorbent.
  • Scissors
  • Needle and Thread/Sew Machine and thread to match fabric
  • Straight Pins
  • Iron

Let's make a hankie!

  1. white linen pillowcase folded on table

    Grab your fabric. I used a stained linen pillowcase that my sister was getting rid of.

  2. cut square of linen fabric

    Cut out a square. You can make it any size you like, but I cut out 12" x 12" and found it to be perfect.

  3. linen fabric folded on the diagonal

    You can fold your square diagonally to make sure it is a nice even square.

  4. iron setting fold of linen fabric

    Fold over each edge about a quarter of an inch and iron.

  5. small part of fabric corner snipped off at a 15 degree angle

    Snip off a small triangle from each corner. See picture.

  6. fabric folded down at corners

    Fold down each corner about a quarter of an inch from point.

  7. fabric edges folded a second time and pinned making clean 45 degree seam at corners

    Fold each edge over a quarter of an inch and pin in place. Corners should meet at a clean 45 degree seam.

  8. iron on folded edges of fabric

    Iron your new folds to set the crease.

  9. close up of sewing maching working down edge of fabric

    Sew down all four sides by hand or machine. You should be able to use the edge of the sewing machine foot as a guide.

  10. finished napking with embroider letter A

    Your hankie is complete. Embellish however you like! I embroidered a little floral "A" for my first name.

Natural vs Synthetic Fabrics →