Mother’s Day Liberty Handkerchief Set
I love coming across a pretty stack of vintage printed hankies at a flea market, each one a perfect little bit of whimsy. I imagine the elegant “ladies who lunch” who might have tucked them into a sleeve. A set of floral handkerchiefs is so old fashioned and ladylike… in the best way! These days handkerchiefs aren’t in vogue, although I’m not sure why. They are endlessly useful and so cheerful and handsome.
For this Mother’s Day I’m doing my part to bring the handkerchief back. Using Page’s classic Father’s Day Rolled Hem Handkerchief pattern, I sewed a set of six sweet Liberty of London handkerchiefs perfect for mom. Tana Lawn is a total joy to sew and to use! It is silky soft, and the prints are so satisfyingly exquisite with charming details and beautiful colors.
Even if your mom isn’t the formal type, this lovely set will make a great Mother’s Day gift. It’s practical, pretty, and entirely handmade by you! If you’d like to make your own follow along with our free Father’s Day Rolled Hem Handkerchief hand sewing pattern here!
Happy Mother’s Day!– Molly
Update May 2024: While no longer carry some of these specific materials, you can find all of our sewing related products at this link
Update 2024: You can explore our current collection of beautiful fabrics and supplies on our page of Sewing Tools + Notions!
What a great idea ! Those cotton lawn prints are so beautiful! I love making little girl dresses out of cotton lawn.
I LOVE these and they are beautiful AND eco friendly…YAY! A very important thing in Berkeley!!!
Oh my hat, I have to have some liberty too!
Jenny
I love this idea too! I had some fabric left over from a top I made and I turned it into a handkerchief, a great way to wear your favourite liberty print!
Beautiful handkerchiefs! Absolutely love Liberty of London, it's definitely not just for little girls. These make beautiful napkins as well for a perfect spring picnic!
these are gorgeous – what a great idea! i really love those liberty prints. tts also a great idea for fabrics leftover from dressmaking!
I know it really dates me, but I remember when my (then) husband always used fabric handkerchiefs, a habit started as a child by his mother. He eventually switched to paper tissues but I am thinking that washable fabric is so much more eco-friendly that it ought to again become the norm. And these sweet prints are the perfect way to start, I might add!
These would also be great as scarves for little girls, tied around the neck bandana style. The size of these handkerchiefs is probably just right for that.
I have actually been working on a rolled hem men's pocket square and the edge seems wavy. Am I doing something wrong? Any help would be appreciated
P.S. I just read Ruth's comment on 4-22. I am making this pocket square for my boyfriend who actually handed one to me when I was upset one day.
So it is not a dated notion, Ruth, but timeless and sweet.
Love these projects. Definitely need to whip up some hankies.
FYI – A toilet paper cover is a relic from the days before YouTube, Twitter and Facebook when polite ladies pretended that they had no bodily functions (as opposed to parading them on social media). Pregnancy was "expecting." Anxiety disorders were "weak nerves." And an extra roll of toilet paper, handily set out for guests and family in need, was covered in a garish crocheted doll to pretend that it was merely a part of the decor instead of a necessity!
These are beautiful! I plan to make some for my Mom for Mothers's day, thank you for the lovely idea.
I love this and will have to make some! I grew up loving hankies…my father & grandfather carried them and always wiped my childhood tears with them…or dabbed a skinned knee…and when my nose was funny there was a hankie waiting. In return I learner to iron by ironing my dads hankies!! For years that was one of my chores…and I did my very best because – too me – those hankies were signs of love!! Years later as an adult, When I found out that the man I was seeing carried a Hankie in his back pocket I knew it was love…and 20 years later he still carries one… my daughters and I were thrilled to find a box of ladies hankies in my grandmother's items…and we split them up fairly between the three of us. We all love what a hankie signifies – and now…to make some and give them as gifts to my lovely daughters…what a gift. Thank you!!!
I really love these prints, what is the print that is on the far right handkerchief in the picture of them hanging on the line in the first and third pictures?
Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
That print is a seasonal print from last year so it is no longer available. The number is 2174a if you'd like to search for it – I would try etsy and ebay.
Thanks!
Jen
What so many younger people don’t know is that this country was very eco friendly until maybe the 80’s when things just changed. We all used handkerchiefs, recycled clothing into quilts (they were functional and now they’re judged as works of art), we returned soda cans and bottles to be recycled and got 5 cents for each. Many women save these cans and bottles up for their pocket $$. So, I love love love these handkerchiefs. Just so pretty and it’s much more attractive to see a woman with one of these little beauties instead of a tissue all balled up. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Bonjour !
J’ai vu sur votre blog que vous aviez fait un ou des réalisations en Liberty Boxford Pastel, je suis à la recherche de toutes petites chutes ou bien de plus grand coupons, ou de vêtements déjà cousus que vous n’utiliserez plus…dans ce tissu….
Auriez-vous quelque chose susceptible de correspondre ?
Merci beaucoup d’avoir pris le temps de me lire et j’espère ne pas vous avoir trop dérangée !!
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately Liberty of London in Boxford was a seasonal print in 2012 and is no longer available. Sometimes you can have some luck on ebay for discontinued Liberty prints.
Best of luck!
Cassy
How did you do the hems? Did you do a machine rolled hem? What needle size and thread do you recommend for something like this. Thanks!
Hi Kaelin,
Thanks for reaching out! We used a hand sewn rolled hem for these napkins. You can find the full pattern and instructions, including a materials list, on our original Father’s Day Rolled Hem Hankies pattern!
Best,
Julianna
I only use handkerchiefs, I grew up with my aunt who used nothing but cotton handkerchiefs. I have hundreds mostly plain white for every day but also quite a few coloured ones as well. I enjoy ironing them and keep them neatly stacked in a large basket. I try to promote the use of handkerchiefs to all my friends. Women, bring back the handkerchiefs!