Looking for an easy gift idea that is unique and one of a kind – Hanky for your Honey? Handkerchief Craft Gift Idea! Stenciled handkerchief’s are sure to please your honey, your mother, your friend and even your kiddo!

We all get the sniffles and tears and who wants to use their sleeve? I sure don’t like doing the sleeve thang’, Sweet Friends. Instead, I’ve adopted a bit of “Hankie Use,” over the years! Hanky for your Honey? Handkerchief Craft Gift Idea!
Hanky for your Honey? Handkerchief Craft Gift Idea!
These handkerchiefs are the perfect gift idea for anyone on your list. Craft your hanky, grab the free printable (just click on the word or image below) and wrap it up in a cute little bag. Bam! It’s the perfect gift idea!

Now, with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day not far away, it’s time to start thinking about Handmade Gifts! Last Christmas I showed off this Handkerchief project. I gifted my Dad and Mom with a handkerchief and I received the sweetest response.

A Maker’s Studio Gel Art Inks are designed for fabric. Gel Art Inks come in 13 beautiful colors. Apply ink on fabric and then heat set with an iron. It is super simple and easy. Gel Art Inks can be purchase on the Create With Cynthia Shop page here. Keep reading for the full tutorial!

You can also stencil kitchen towels, aprons, canvas bags, baby onesies, bibs, cloth diapers and baby blankets. Any 100 cotton material works well.
Hanky for your Honey? Handkerchief Craft Gift Idea!
Don’t forget to wrap your handkerchief in a pretty bag, with a pretty card for your honey! I like to include a little bit of “Hanky Lore” inside my gift.

Have you heard the Hanky Lore? A hanky in your pocket or purse is so helpful. Marie Antionette discovered it back in the year 1945. I’ve shown off this fun project before and it was so popular I decided to show it off again.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO CREATE STENCILED HANDKERCHIEFS:
- Handkerchief
- A Maker’s Studio Gel Art Ink
- A Maker’s Studio Adhesive Mesh Stencils
- Essential Stencils
- Spreader or Stencil Brushes
Tip: If you purchase Essential Stencils products use code “CWC” for 10% off your purchase.

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INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CREATE STENCILED HANDKERCHIEFS:
Step one: Gather your supplies

Step two: Prepare your handkerchief by ironing it and placing something in between the layers to avoid the paint from running through the fabric.

Step three: Place stencil onto the fabric (tape stencil to fabric using painter’s tape if it is not an adhesive stencil).

Step four: Apply Gel Art Ink onto stencil fabric using a spreader or stencil brush. A Maker’s Studio has created the Gel Art Ink specifically for fabrics and it is fabulous.

Step five: Once you have completed, wash your stencil in warm soapy water and allow fabric and paint to dry overnight.

Tip: I’ve also used Gel Art Ink on Canvas Bags, T-Shirts, Kitchen Towels, Pillows, and Baby Onesies.

Step six: Once handkerchief is completely dry, heat set the paint onto the fabric. Lay a piece of fabric over your stenciled fabric and iron. Use a warm iron, without steam, at 350 degrees for about five minutes. You can also put your handkerchief in the warm dryer.


Step seven: Wrap up your handkerchief cute and pretty and gift it to your favorite honey!

Tip: After each use, wash handkerchief in cold water and avoid the dryer.
Visit my You Tube channel for ideas and inspiration on crafts and wrapping gifts.
These handmade hankies are the perfect gift for your honey, your family or your friends. It’s an ageless and timeless gift I know will be appreciated. I like to fold up my hanky and put it in a small burlap bag. When I gift it to someone I wrap it up in a box or bag and gift it with, “A bit of Hankie Lore….”

Now go out there and Create Something!
Cynthia



Shoes and Short Sleeved T-Shirts and Long Sleeved T-Shirts and SweatShirts
Cynthia, what a sweet, thoughtful and personal gift idea! I also enjoyed learning about Maria A and the origination of using a hanky.
This is so fun! Love how it turned out, love the colors, and what a great personalized gift idea! Thanks for sharing
Cynthia, I’ve always loved the idea of cloth handkerchiefs. So much better than paper. These are adorable. Just one thing, when I clicked over to purchase the handkerchiefs the link was for wooden eggs!
How cute! I loved reading the history of the handkerchiefs!
Jenna
So glad you liked it, Sweet Friend!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the history. It is such an important part of our life!
I would love to receive this gift. Great inspiration to share with us. Thank you.
Aw, I’m so glad you liked it.
I remember my grandfather always using a hankie but I think it’s a great idea to be making these in this day and age; I’m all for anything sustainable 🙂
My Dad always carried a hanky as well. It is really sad had our generation has forgotten to use them. Hope you are well.
What a sweet gift idea. Thanks for sharing and giving us that bit of hankerchief history.
Thanks!
Such a sweet idea! Happy to be crafting with you!
Cynthia,
I so enjoy your crafts and I enjoyed your Craft and Chat Lives too. You have a real talent for these projects and they turn out perfect too!
Great to share in this crafty blog with you.
Jemma
Jemma,
Thanks for your kind words. I’ll be back on FB this week and hope to see you.
What a sweet idea! Love the lore behind the handkerchief!
These are so cute. I am so impressed with your stenciling talents! I really want to learn how to do it without paint getting under all of the stencils and messing up my image! You always seem to have yours looking so perfect! Thanks for joining in the hop!
I have never used Gel Art Ink but its look really good. I did not know about the lore about the handkerchief and really enjoyed learning it.
I’m so glad you liked the lore. Gel Art Ink is a great product. I’d recommend trying it out.
Hi Cynthia,
Both of my kids use hankies — I wonder if they might like to make their own! I will remember your idea in case they do.
Liberty
That is adorable that your kiddos use hankies. I bet they’d love stenciling their own.
What a cute idea! I haven’t stenciled on fabric before but it definitely looks like fun! Now with all this extra time at home, I guess now is a good time to experiment.. Hope you are well!
Shelley
Stenciling is so easy and such a rewarding project. Hope you are well.
So cute. I’ve been wanting to try painting some fabric. I’ve never done it before. Thanks!
Cynthia, I recognized those stencils immediately. Our Gel Art Ink is such a great product for using on fabric. The handkerchief idea was both pretty and practical. So glad that you shared it.
This is such a unique and special gift for either male or female. It turned out great!
Cynthia, you’ve created a useful and personal gift! I had the opportunity to try gel ink last summer at the Haven Conference, and it was very easy to use. I still have my kitchen towel that I made. Thanks for sharing this great gift idea! It’s been fun crafting and chatting with you on FB, too!
What a great idea for a personalized gift! Pinned!