Folding a Hanky to fit into a 5″ x 7″ Organza Drawstring Bag is simple, but looks so nice when folded this way.
Start with your starched, embroidered hanky…
Hanky Folding, step by step.
Since this is the long-overdue “Part Two” of the “How to Embroider a
Wedding Hanky,” you may want to head on over to that post to refresh your memory!
https://aquirkycreative.com/2014/07/embroider-wedding-hanky.html
Add Date for that Extra Touch!
Folded Hanky, Ready for Custom Cards
I love to add small cards, about the size of a business card, into the back of the pouch. I print the custom sentiments out on matte photo paper. Then each is trimmed with my guillotine cutter. These are backed with a nice cardstock that is is the bridal colors. Each is cut about 1/2″ larger all around than the printed card. They seem to be a big hit!
Example of Father of the Bride Card
For the men’s hankerchiefs, I suggest, if you are an embroiderer, that you remember to make your DENSITY Lighter, and your pull compensation a bit bolder, for any lettering less than .5″ tall. Also, no underlay when stitching small letters onto a fine fabric, such as a cotton hanky. That is my little tip for all of you embroiderers out there!
I always like to say a little prayer as I make each one, that the hanky that is going to very special people do the job of catching tears of joy, always. And, if they ever happen to catch any tears of sorrow, that the little hanky can do its job of being a comfort.
I suggest to those that I have given the hankies to that they pass them out at the rehearsal dinner, in readiness for the joyful tears of the next day. I’ve also seen the groom dab at a bit of perspiration, too, as he waits for his bride to walk down the aisle! See how practical these hankies are, all around?!
I almost forgot to tell you! I bought the hankies from Susan at www.AllAboutBlanks.com. I love her blanks!
What a thoughtful + practical token!
This is beautiful, Kim! And I love this as a wedding gift idea. Hey I may hire you to embroider some fabric for me — I’m thinking of making a monogrammed throw pillow for our couch. And I may need some things embroidered when the baby is born! You’re my go to girl. 🙂
Would you mind sharing the proper placement for a men’s hankie?
I like to use the little 1 inch woven suare that is about 1 inch up and over from any of the corners. I center my men’s monogram in that woven square. Does that make sense? I make the letters all the same height at about .45 inches. Great question, BTW!
Hi Kim,
I love the fonts you have for the initial on the hankie and the one on the pillow, the large B.
Hi. Thank you for the informative blog post. May I know what you mean by no underlay ? No stabilizer ?
Felina, thanks for the question! When I say, “no underlay,” I mean that when you create the letters in your software, you would not add any underlying base stitches, such as those that are used when you create lettering for a thick towel. It is the zig zag stitching that stitches first and then the top stitches stitch out that are on top of those zig zag stitches. If you happen to purchase a design with small lettering, such as a poem for a wedding hanky, that person who digitized it would know not to add additional underlay. All of those stitches would be just too heavy for a delicate fabric. I do hope this makes some sense to you.
Bottom line, underlayment is the understitching to support top satin stitches of larger letters, stitched onto items such as bath towels. It is NOT stabilizer. In my other post in part one, I show and tell exactly WHAT type of stabilizer to use when embroidering delicate hankies. It is two layers of Water Soluble Stabilizer. It is WSS. It is sold under a name such as “Vilene.” Let me know if you have any further questions. I do suggest you read my Part One post of How to Embroider Wedding Hankies.
I love your ideas and helpful tips! What is a reasonable price to charge for a hanky with initial and date, and one with more lettering, such as a poem?
That is a hard one to answer, because different areas of the country get different prices. The quality of the hanky and the work varies so, also. I would suggest you browse through Etsy or other sites that would offer wedding hankies. They all post prices. You could see what might look like what you might want to offer.
I love your little cards. Did you make them? If so how and if now where did you buy them
I did make them. I went into Word and created a document. I change the date and names whenever I need a new one. I then save as with the new bride and groom name. I then print on a nice white cardstock or matte photo paper and cut to a business card size. I then cut pretty cardstock about 1/4″ larger all around, usually in the colors coordinating with the wedding colors, if possible. I use a little glue stick to adhere the printed to the patterned cardstock. I then tuck it into the 5×7 organza bag, at the back of the folded hanky. They are always appreciated, it seems. Thanks for your interest.
Just came across your wonderful post about embroidery on handkerchiefs. So much wonderful information, Thank you so much. I do have a couple more questions, what weight/type of thread do you suggest, for example 60 weight polyester? Also what size font’s are best? You said you use .45 for men’s hankies. What size do you use for the ladies initial?
Donna, somehow, I am just now seeing your questions! I really always just use 40 weight thread for embroidery. My favorite happens to be Floriani (FuFus) poly thread.
I then adjust my parameters to stitch out the best with the 40 weight thread. If I was going to do a VERY small font, such as .20, (which I try, at all costs, NOT to do,) I would then try the 60 weight thread with a 9 needle. Tip. NEVER use your auto threader on your machine, if you have one, when using a smaller eye needle. It will not end well for the threader!
I have put a 2.5″ larger single initial on a lady hanky. I have used the larger in the corner. On the other corner, I may put the date, in about a .35 or so font. TEST TEST TEST. I have one hanky that I stitch onto for my tests. I test EVERY time I stitch a new size or font.
I cannot locate Part 2 of the Hankie Embroidery Instructions..
http://aquirkycreative.com/2014/08/embroider-hanky-fold-part-2.html
It really is just a post about how I fold my hankies for presentation, etc. The entire post on how to embroider on a hanky is all on part one. I hope this helps you!
Pardon me if I have overlooked your source for the 5” x 7” organza drawstring bags. I am hoping you don’t make those yourself! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful hints, tips, instructions, photos, and sources. You are very generous.
Judy, I never did mention a source for the organza bags! If you only need a few, you may try the wedding section of Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. They sell them in packs of 12. I believe I got my last bigger batch (5×8) from http://www.yourorganzabag.com. I got a batch of 30 for $5.70.
Try that! Nice quality!
Thank you for all of this great information. I am going to try to make wedding hankies for a friend, which I’ve never done anything this small. I will look for a digitized lettering to make them with. Starch, starch and starch I’ve never done but have a feeling that was one of the problems I was having that could have been solved using starch. Needle size i’m guessing needs to be small too. I have a Brother 2600D. Thanks again