Hankie to Baby Bonnet Sewing Tutorial

Hankie to Baby Bonnet

By: Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell, authors of Celebrate Green!

Learn how to sew a simple baby bonnet with a vintage hankie in this sewing tutorial from Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell, authors of Celebrate Green! Follow the step-by-step photos to create a bonnet for a shower gift or new family member.

Learn more aout Corey and Lynn and their book here.

Baby Bonnet from Hankie

Materials:

Hankie
Iron
Sewing machine or hand sewing needle
Thread

Notes:

When possible choose a vintage handkerchief, one from a family member is best, but if not available, try purchasing through local vintage shops or online.
Smaller handkerchiefs work best. Those with tatted, crocheted or lace edges make beautiful bonnets.
Wash the handkerchief in pure soap and cool water and dry before starting.
If the handkerchief is discolored or has any spots, try wetting and leaving in the sun. Do not bleach.
Use loose machine stitches or sew by hand because one day, the stitches will come out and it will be easier if they are not tiny and close together.

Instructions:

Step 1 Step 2

Step3 Step 4

Step 5 Step 6

Step 7 Step 8

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Weberme

Aug 04, 2016

I made one of these many years ago and I forgot about it and how easy they are to make. I never knew there was a poem to go with it but How cute. I must add this to my list of things to make for a baby gift. Where can I find these pretty handkerchiefs today. I do not remember where I got mine years ago.I am so glad I came across this hankie bonnet again. So cute. Anyone can make these.

Merihayn

Sep 03, 2014

I've been making this adorable bonnet for about 30 years or more. My is a bit more involved and has a great little poem that accompanies the gift. I believe Carol Duval feature this on one of her shows. I don't remember the name of the designer that presented the idea. At It has been around a very long time.

Member 9365422

Feb 20, 2011

I was going through my notes and run a cross that there was a poem that went with this little hankie bonnet. If at all possible I would like to get a copy of it to go with the bonnet that I have for my great grandaughter.Please let me know,It would be greatly appreciated.

greenacres5339

Jan 25, 2011

I received one of these hankie bonnets from the hospital when my first daughter was born. She wore it home and then I put it in her baby book. On her wedding day she had her something old many years later. She was so proud to have it. We also have baby blankets that each child comes home it from 3 generations. Kept in cedar chest.

Florie

Nov 10, 2010

This is the poem that Crafter 7565260 wanted: I am a little bonnet as cute as cute can be. Would you ever guess a hanky I used to be. I can be worn home from the hospital, then again on Christening day. You can then neatly fold me and keep me for wedding day. Every bride must wear something old, so you can clip a stitch or two and a wedding hanky will unfold. If, by chance, it is a boy, on the day that he is wed, It can be presented to his bride. Won't she be proud to use the bonnet he wore upon his head. from fametz@aeneas.net

Florie

Nov 09, 2010

To Crafter 7565260 - I have the poem on one of my 300 tapes. I have a list of what is on each tape. I will look and find the poem, but it will take time probably. Please let me know when someone else sends you the poem. Perhaps you already have it. Please contact me if you have it at fametz@aeneas.net I don't mind looking for it if you don't have it. It is a sweet poem.

Mary Blank

Nov 09, 2010

The stitching of the bonnet can be removed so that the hankie can be used on the child's wedding day. A poem can be fround on the internet and included with the gift.

gem

Sep 06, 2010

Here is one of the favored poems AN HEIRLOOM A tiny square of linen And a dainty edge of lace Designed into a bonnet To frame your babys face After babys worn it Fold and tuck away And it becomes a hanky For your daughters Wedding Day Or if the baby is a boy On the day he marries This can be the something old His joyful bride will carry nd is How to make your Lace Handkerchief into a baby bonnet Hanky Bonnet Poems THE MAGIC HANKY I am just a little hankie as square as can be but with a stitch or two they've made a bonnet out of me I'll be worn home from the hospital and on special days and then I'll be carefully pressed and neatly packed away Then on the Wedding I have been told every well dressed Bride must have something old So what…Read More would be more fitting than to find Little Old Me a few stitches snipped and a Wedding Handkerchief I Will Be And if per chance it is a boy someday he still will Wed So to his Bride he can present the Magic Handkerchief once worn upon his head

nursemom

Sep 03, 2010

My mother gave one of these hanky bonnets to my daughter when she was born. She is now almost 21 years old. I am waiting for her to carry this on her wedding day, whenever that may be (no plans to wed as of yet). She can then pass it on to her baby, (and again no plans for now), and then to her grandbaby some day.

LLK

Sep 02, 2010

I have this Hankie Bonnet that I bought for my children years ago I'm happy to say that my Grandson wore the same Bonnet his mother wore Here's the poem although I have seen several versions of this over the years this is perhaps my favorite I'm just a little hanky As square as square can be But with a stitch or two they made a bonnet out of me I'll be worn from the hospital Or on the Christening day Then I'll be carefully pressed and neatly packed away For her Wedding Day so we've been told Every well dressed Brides must have something old So what could be more fitting than to find little me A few stitches snipped and a Wedding Hanky I will be And if perchance it is a boy Someday he'll surely wed So to his bride He can present the hanky Once worn upon…Read More his head Oh this still makes me cry I hope you get this in time Crafter in time to give it to your niece Wishing you all the BEST

gem

Sep 02, 2010

simply beautiful. There is a poem that goes with it also. Says something about when you marry you can remove the stitches and make it into a hanky for boys and I can't remember the rest. My daughter had one for her son from my sister I will see if she knows where it is and try to add it here. I love sentimental things. Gem

Crafter 7565260

Sep 02, 2010

does anyone know the poem...i would love to give this to my niece who is pregnant w/her first child and in the army...it is a wonderful keepsake...it was given to me, but i only have the hanky left, the poem got all messed up in a flood. thanks linda

selkiemum

Mar 11, 2010

My mom and I made several of these long ago... We included this little poem (author unknown) on a little card, or pice of cardstock A tiny square of linen And a dainty edge of lace, Designed into a bonnet, To frame your babys face. After babys worn it Fold and tuck away, And it becomes a handkerchief For daughters Wedding Day. Or if the baby is a boy, Uopn the day he marries This can be the something old His joyful bride will carry. On the back we included instructions for clipping the stitches to remake into a hanky again, and added a lavender sachet.