How to Sew Rolled-Hem Handkerchiefs

Rolled-hem handkerchiefs make a great gift for dads and grandfathers. Making rolled-hem handkerchiefs is a good beginning sewing project for young children. It gives young fingers fine motor skill practice and the children can finish the project in a short amount of time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cotton fabric
• Ruler
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine (optional)

1. Choose some soft cotton fabric for the handkerchiefs. If you choose a pattern and a young person is making the handkerchiefs, try to find a small overall pattern that repeats itself frequently.

2. Place the fabric on the cutting mat. Square the pattern with the lines on the mat. Cut the fabric into a 12½ by 12½-inch square. If you don't have a cutting mat and rotary cutter you can perform this step with a pair of sharp scissors.

3. Thread your needle. You can either put enough thread for the entire project in the needle at one time or a shorter amount. If you use the longer thread, it's awkward to work with. If you use the shorter thread or about 18 inches, you have a few extra knots to deal with. If a young child is making the handkerchiefs, the shorter thread is a better option. Tie a knot in the end of the single thread.

4. Roll the fabric to the inside about ¼ inch. You may need to wet your fingers to make this step easier. Roll the fabric as tightly as possible.

5. Hold the handkerchief with the hem facing toward you. Take a small stitch in the right corner if you're right-handed and bring the needle back out about two threads away. Insert the needle into the roll of fabric about ½ inch. Take another stitch of about two threads. Repeat this until the end of the first row.

6. Continue rolling the fabric and stitching it until you sew all four sides. Press the handkerchief if needed when you finish it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can roll the hem and press in place. You can then stitch the rolled hem with the sewing machine.

[radtec1]

on 8/10/2009 where are the videos? Ever since the site moved, I can't find 1/3 of the sewing videos I relied on. Under 'related videos'...there is nothing but text instruction. I get the theory, but need to 'see' it.