How to Make a Large Lace Handkerchief

Handkerchiefs can be tucked into tuxedo jackets.

Lace handkerchiefs have long been carried by brides on their wedding day as part of wedding tradition, and the handkerchiefs are often passed down from mother to daughter. Even if a bride doesn’t have a lace handkerchief from her mother to fill the need of “something old” on her wedding day, it is never too late to start a new tradition. Make a lace handkerchief even more special by making your own one of a kind creation for a wedding or other special occasion.

Things You'll Need

• Lace, 16 inches square
• Fabric pencil
• Scissors
• Cotton batiste fabric, 16 inches square
• Pins
• Fabric eraser
• Thread
• Needle

Instructions

1. Mark an area of the lace lightly with a fabric pencil to cut out an area for the center fabric. Follow the natural pattern of the lace for best results. Cut out the center area using a pair of scissors.

2. Place the square of lace directly atop the square of cotton batiste fabric with the right sides facing out. Pin the pieces together to hold them in place. Trace the center cutout area lightly onto the wrong side of the cotton batiste fabric.

3. Cut out the design area on the cotton fabric. Cut the area slightly larger than the traced area to allow room for a seam when you put together the handkerchief. Erase the pencil marks with a fabric eraser.

4. Thread a needle with a color that complements the lace fabric. Do not knot the end of the thread. Check that the center piece is still pinned in place.

5. Roll the edges of the batiste and lace under and stitch a decorative border around the middle piece with a whipstitch that creates a rope look around the center fabric. Fold the end of the thread back under the first several stitches to secure the stitching. Continue stitching until the entire center piece is stitched into place.

6. Finish the outside edge of the lace, if needed, by rolling under the lace edge and doing a whipstitch around the outside, similar to that used for the center area. Trim all excess threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a contrasting thread color for a different look.

References

• Georgia Girl: Wedding Traditions
• Perestroika Designs: Hand Stitching
• Coggeshall Museum: Coggeshall Lace

Resources

• Embroider This!: Handkerchiefs