This vintage handkerchief apron makes a stunning handmade gift, if you can bear to give it away. Why not make some for all your favorite people?  Handmade gifts  always mean more and are cherished forever.  This month we are sharing over 100 handmade gift tutorials. I have teamed up with Thirty Handmade Days and Your Homebased Mom to share the best homemade gift ideas.  We have over 100 tutorials so you will have the best homemade holiday ever! Each day be sure to visit the guest poster’s blog for a chance to win BIG! Up for grabs is a Cricut cutting machine, a Blendtec blender, a Baby Lock sewing machine and a $300 Michaels gift card! Grab a new entry every day! Visit Flamingo Toes today to enter to win the Baby Lock Sewing Machine.

 

Colorful Vintage Handkerchief Apron

Pretty Vintage Handkerchief Apron

Hello Skip to My Lou readers!! I am so excited to be here!
My name is Bev and I blog over at Flamingo Toes.

I love sewing all sorts of projects – but I have a special love for all things vintage. It is pretty much my favorite thing to take something old and maybe sitting on thrift store shelf, and turn it into something pretty and fun! That is just what I have for you today! This Colorful Vintage Handkerchief Apron is soooo easy and quick to make and it would be a great gift or just something fun to wear for your Christmas baking.

Colorful Vintage Handkerchief Apron

It’s made up with a few bright vintage handkerchiefs – you can use some family linens if you have them or check out Etsy, ebay or thrift and antique stores. I find them all the time.

Ribbon and Handkerchief Apron

I’ve finished the waistband in one of the easiest ways ever – with some satin blanket binding! No cutting out a bunch of fabric – just a little sewing and you’re done!

Handkerchief Apron with Ribbon Sash

How to make a Colorful Vintage Handkerchief Apron

Here’s your materials list:

  • 6 vintage handkerchiefs at least 11″ x 11″
  • lining fabric  – 15″ x 33″ – I recommend something light
  • satin blanket binding – 2 1/2 yards
  • Sewing machine, scissors, pins, etc.

Start by laying out your handkerchiefs to see what order you’d like them in. You’ll need two rows of three. I would choose handkerchiefs that are in good condition and not super thin.

colorful vintage handkerchiefs

Cut out your lining piece. Hem the two short sides and the bottom.

Lining for handkerchief apron

Sew together the handkerchief rows. Overlap the handkerchiefs so the prettiest edges are on top, and sew them together to make two strips of three. Sew an easing stitch along the top edge – which is just basically a gathering stitch that is only very lightly gathered.

sewing handkerchief ruffles

Lay out the lining and lay the bottom ruffle of your apron over the lining so it hangs over the bottom of the lining about 1″. It should measure from the top of the lining to the bottom of the handkerchief row 15″. Pin in place and sew this ruffle down, just inside the top edge of the handkerchiefs. The handkerchiefs should overlap the sides also just a little bit.

sew handkerchiefs to lining

Sew the top row of handkerchiefs together and sew your easing stitch along the top. Line the top of the handkerchiefs up with the top of lining and baste together with a gathering stitch. Gather the top edge up to measure 18″.

handkerchief apron skirt

Cut a length of your blanket binding 2 1/2 yards. Measure out the center 18″ of the binding and mark with pins. Place the apron skirt between the pins in the opening of the binding. Pin in place well.  Sew the binding closed all along the open bottom edge, sewing the apron skirt in place as you go. Fold the ends in if you wish to form an angled end. Isn’t this pink ombre ribbon binding fun??

sewing ribbon to apron

And that’s really it! So fast right? I think it would make such a sweet hostess gift.

DIY Handkerchief Apron

Ribbon and Handkerchief Apron

I hope you like it!

I’d love for you to come say hi over at Flamingo Toes!

Bev-at-Flamingo-Toes

Here’s a few of my other favorite projects:

Lets Get Lost Summer Embroidery Hoop

Easy Vintage Handkerchief Necklace

Pretty DIY Fabric Feathers Dishtowel

You might like to embellish your apron or one of your sewing projects with one of these lovely fabric flowers.


About Cindy Hopper

Learn More

you may also like

Comments

  1. Is there a way to download your instructions? If I try to do a print screen, ads sometimes block content.

  2. I have about 2 dozen handkerchiefs that belonged to my grandmother. I’m thinking that these would make great Christmas gifts for my sisters. Thanks for the great idea.

  3. I would like to learn to put crocheted
    egdes on pillowcases. I am new at crocheting so has to be easy n basic. Thanks. Enjoy your ideas.

  4. Oh how pretty! I go thrift store shopping a lot, and I’m always looking for unique handkerchiefs and doilies. I’m still learning how to sew too, and this looks like something I could actually do. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

  5. Very cute apron. I made an apron with satin ribbon ties and am disappointed that the knot slips loose. Learn from my mistake and choose a different ribbon, grosgrain perhaps.

  6. That is the CUTEST!! I love the layers. I wish I had your eye to collect those vintage handkerchiefs, Bev!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *