Frugal Fun Projects - Handkerchief Wall Hanging

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An interesting and beautiful handkerchief can be a simple yet elegant wall hanging with a few inexpensive materials and tools. Our easy how-to instructions show the materials and tools. This version uses a sewing machine for the background, but it could easily be hand sewn as well. 

Take a look at this pretty handkerchief. The gray toned fabric has an off-white embroidered design with a variety of drawn work around the flower and along the hem.

Placed on a black fabric background, the handwork shows beautifully and provides a simple and refined decoration.

Frugal Fun Crafts: Handkerchief Wall Hanging Materials and Tools:

• Handkerchief
• Material - two pieces, width: 2 inches wider than diagonal of the handkerchief; length: 2.5 times the handkerchief's diagonal
• Thread to match fabric
• Thread to match handkerchief
• Yarn for hanging
• Wooden dowel, 3/8 inch in diameter
• Needle
• Pins
• Scissors
• Craft knife for cutting dowel
• Iron
• Sewing machine (optional, this can be done by hand)
• Spray stablizer (optional, but gives both the background fabric and handkerchief more stability)

The Steps for How to Make the Frugal Fun Crafts: Handkerchief Wall Hanging:

Note: To find a beautiful handmade handkerchief or several, visit or contact The Packrat's Daughter. 

Measure the diagonal of the handkerchief to determine the size to cut your material. This one measured 15 3/4 inches across.  

Cut two pieces of the background fabric. The width should be two inches wider than the diagonal, in this case, 17 3/4 inches across. The length should be two and a half times the diagonal. Here, the length is roughly 40 inches. 

Fold one end in half across the width to determine the center point. Mark the center with a pin. 

Fold each corner to the middle using the center point pin as a guide.

Cut along the folded edge to make a point. Do this for both pieces of material, but only on one end. 

With the right sides facing each other, pin the two pieces of material together. 

Sew a 1/4 inch seam across the straight end of the pinned material. On one side, begin stitching 3/4 inch from the top seam. Sew along the side, down to the point and back up the other side stopping within 2 1/2 to 3 inches of the top seam.

The larger opening provides a way to turn the fabric right side out. The smaller opening allows the dowel to be inserted for hanging later.

Trim the corners of the seam diagonally being careful not to cut the stitches. 

Turn the fabric right side out through the larger opening. 

Iron the material making sure the seams are pressed straight and flat. 

Thread a needle with matching thread and sew the larger opening's edges together. 

Leave open a 3/4 inch space to insert the wooden dowel later. 

Iron and stabilize the handkerchief. Spray sizing adds stability without the stiffness of a starch.

Position the handkerchief on the background fabric.

Carefully pin the handkerchief in place. 

Thread a needle with the thread matching the handkerchief. Begin stitching at one corner of the handkerchief.  

Make 1/2 to 3/4 inch stitches. Hide the long portion of each stitch between the two pieces of the background fabric. Barely catch the edge of the handkerchief with your stitches to insure they do not show.

Continue the stitches until all four sides are attached.

If necessary, press the handkerchief and wall hanging to remove any wrinkles.

Lay the wooden dowel across the width of the fabric. Allow for 3/4 to one inch to extend on each side. 

With a craft knife, cut the end of the dowel to the necessary length. 

With the knife, make a cut 1/4 to 3/8 inch deep in each end of the dowel. Slide the dowel into the background material through the 3/4 inch openings at each side of the top.

Next, determine the length of the yarn needed to hang the finished artistry. Add two to three inches extra. You can easily trim off any extra. 

Tie a knot in each end of the yarn. Slip the ends of the yarn into the small cuts at the ends of the dowel with the knot below.

Hang your wall art and adjust the yarn length if necessary. 

A pretty handkerchief became a beautiful wall hanging that can accent a narrow wall, the end of a hallway or be part of an artistic grouping on a larger wall. 

Instead of hiding those pretty handkerchiefs in a closet or drawer, add them to your decor in an interesting display.

Enjoy!

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