How to Make a Simple Bonnet Easily with a Handkerchief

Baby bonnets made from handkerchiefs are a popular gift for baby showers. The bonnet is intended for the baby to wear as a christening bonnet, then given to his bride-to-be as a "something-old" handkerchief to carry on her wedding day. This special bonnet is sure to become a family heirloom. Make a simple bonnet easily with a handkerchief, using only a hand sewing needle to form the shape and a small amount of ribbon to create the ties.

Things You'll Need

• Ladies handkerchief
• Iron
• Hand sewing needle and thread
• Scissors
• 1/4-inch wide satin ribbon, 1 yard
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Iron your chosen handkerchief and lay it on your work surface with the wrong side up.

2. Fold the handkerchief in half and iron to form a crease on the fold. Open the handkerchief. Fold one edge to the center crease and iron. Fold the opposite edge to the center and iron.

3. Open one side. Hand sew a running stitch along the unfolded outer crease. Pull the thread to tightly gather the handkerchief, forming a ruffle on the back of the bonnet. Knot and cut the thread.

4. Flip the ruffle up and back on the handkerchief. Tack the center edge of the ruffle to the handkerchief to secure. The other side of the handkerchief, with the folded edge, is the brim of the bonnet.

5. Cut two 18-inch lengths of 1/4-inch wide satin ribbon. Tie one end of one ribbon into a 2-inch bow, leaving one tail of the ribbon 2 inches long. The rest of the ribbon will be the tie on one side of the bonnet. Repeat with the other ribbon.

6. Center one bow from one ribbon tie in the center of the brim, 1 inch from the short end of the brim. Hand stitch the bow through both layers of the brim to secure. Repeat on the other short end of the brim to attach the other tie.