“Keepsake Handkerchief Bonnet”

   In 1982 I received as a baby shower gift it was a lovely Keepsake Bonnet. It was a small gift with a lot of meaning. The poem brought tears to my eyes. As I read it out loud  at the shower I looked at the guests and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. How on January 26, 2008 my son’s bride used his hanky “once worn upon his head” as the poem suggests as her something old. I how have pictures of my son’s beautiful bride using the handkerchief during the wedding to wipe away tears of joy from her eyes. It has become the gift that keeps on giving.

 

  Since that shower in 1982 I have made numerous hanky bonnets for family and friends. They are always received the same way that I did so many years ago.  They are simple to make and economical too.  I thought you would enjoy the directions for making the bonnet, so you can be the one who brings the gift that will be remembered always at the next baby shower you attend.  

How to make a “Keepsake Handkerchief”

 

 

Supplies:

Handkerchief

1 yard White ribbon 3/16” (5mm) wide

White thread and Sewing needle

Ironing board and Steam Iron

Card stock paper to print poem 

You need to purchase a handkerchief that will look good as a bonnet and be just right to use for a wedding. I get the ones I use from two places.  The first and easiest place is from the internet. I like Lartisana and have gotten some very beautiful handkerchiefs from there. The second place is from the Festival Flee Market in Pompano Beach Florida. I go to Mary’s Linens in booth 1301. I like her handkerchiefs the best but if you are not near by, Lartisana’s has a great selection too.

 

  First iron the hanky out flat. Make sure you have it wrong side up.   

You then fold one side to the center iron in crease.

Then fold opposite side to the edge of the other and iron in a crease.     

 

Open one end that will now be the back of the bonnet.  You then sew a running stitch along the crease made when you ironed it. Leave a least a two inch tail on the thread from the knot.      Holding the both ends gather the material together to form a ruffle back. Hold together and tie the two ends tightly together to keep the ruffle.   

Fold the ruffle material back over the head part of the bonnet. You how have a hat!

 

  Take the ribbon, on one end and cut into a slant at end. Then fold twice to form two loops. One loop in the back larger then the one in the front. Tack the two loops together to the side of the bonnet to create the ties to hold on the hat. Then take the other end of ribbon and do the same to the other side.  Cut the ribbon in the middle leaving two long strands to be tied under the child’s neck to keep on the bonnet.     How you just need to print the poem on cardstock paper. It can be what ever size you want or what ever makes the presentation look nice to you.  

The Poem is as follows:  

TREASURE HANDKERCHIEF BONNET POEM 
by unknown   

I’m just a little hankie
As square as can be
But with a small stitch or two
A bonnet I will be. I’ll be worn from the hospital
Or on my christening day
And after that be folded
Then carefully put away. When on that future wedding day
So we’ve always been told
The well dressed bride must always
Wear something that is old. So what could be more fitting
Then to find little me
And with a few fine stitches snipped
A wedding hankie be. And if perchance it’s a boy
Someday he’ll surely wed
Then his bride can have the hankie
Once worn upon his head

 

I hope you enjoy giving this gift as much as I have had.

 

I thought I would do a little post script:

This is our new little granddaughter wearing the bonnet home from the hospital that I made her: