Herringbone Handkerchiefs: Cross Stitch Monogram

The cross stitch monogram on the corner of the handkerchief is entirely optional, but it's a very easy way to personalize something. I put an "M" on my handkerchiefs but you could certainly try any letter or number you please.

Cross Stitch 

Below is a brief lesson on how to do very simple cross stitch. I am by no means a cross stitch expert so this may not the official way to do things, but works for me.

On the graph paper below, the odd numbers represent where your needle comes out and the even numbers represent where it goes in:

Here is how to cross stitch if you're making a row that's going up:

Repeat this in the next square above until you have a row of your desired length.

The back should be two neat vertical rows, no crosses.

And here's how to do rows that go down:

The Monogram 

 

Draw a 1-inch letter at the corner of your handkerchief with a water soluble fabric marker.

 

Cross stitch the letter using the pen mark as a guide. It's a lot harder to cross stitch on something that doesn't have a grid so take your time placing each stitch. To cross stitch diagonally just follow the instructions for either the up or down row (depending on the direction you're going) but place your #1 point diagonally from your #4 point instead of above or below. Make sure not to pull too tight. 

Once you're done with your monogram carefully weave in the ends in the back. Spray with water and iron to get rid of the blue marker.

All done! 

Comments

[J]

How lovely. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Roberta J.]

Perfect tutorial! Cannot wait to try and make my own! Thank you so much!

[Betty Ann]

How GREAT your tutorial is. It is so clear and yet so detailed. You make this look so easy. It's very inspiring. I never even considered making handies before but I think I'll make a couple today!

[CeCe]

Perfectly beautifully. And very reminiscent of what my mom and aunt always had on hand. Thank you.

[Laurie]

These are so pretty I would like to make a set for myself! Thanks for the great tutorial.

[Sarah Starr]

I was just thinking yesterday I wanted to make some handkerchiefs! These are so great. Thanks for the tutorial. I imagine if you have a bunch cut, pressed, and pinned they would be a great "take with you"project".

[delena]

I just tried this and love it!! So easy that I can't wait to take it on the bus with me on my morning commute! Thank you.

[Jan]

I love the idea that you're bringing back a vintage handmade item as an answer to modern conservation concerns! I have three suggestions:
Miter those corners - they would look neater and more finished.
Do a long running stitch along the inner folded edge; it eliminates the pins and can be removed easily, like a basting stitch, after the embroidery is finished.
Try a different embroidery stitch; there are so many to try, some in multiple colors.
Great portable project; it has so much charm!

[Melissa]

I have been thinking for a very long time about making napkins for my house and just wasn't sure what to do with them. I found a site (Sublime Stitching) with wonderfully cute, yet not too girly, ideas for my mostly guy household. When doing a search with their name, I found this wonderful website!!

What a great idea for jazzing up my handmade napkins! Instead of a boring sewing machine stitch, I can hand stitch the whole thing! This idea is a life saver!! I can picture my cute napkins in my head already. Maybe even with a hand-sewn half-apron as well...oh! the possibilities!

Thanks so very much!! I've got this site permanently bookmarked!

[Rebecca]

I am an avid knitter with needlepoint experience but zero cross stitch experience. Your tutorial is well documented with excellent instructions & pictures. I plan to buy your beautiful fabric and will make hankerchiefs as my first cross stitch project. Thank you!

[Samantha]

Excellent tutorial! I would imagine these make great gifts that that are easy to send, just slip a couple inside a birthday card! What other sheer fabrics does Purl Soho offer? I did not see anything specified on the website other than this Yuwa fabric.
Thanks!

[Karrie]

Thanks for this! I love it. I'm just getting into Embroidery and need simple and fun projects like this. I can't wait to try it!

[m]

I was wondering what other embroidery stitches could be used for the edge? I am most comfortable with blanket stitch, but I don't think it would secure the hem properly. What do you think/suggest?

[Minny]

Thank you for making such great tutorials. You go through such great lengths to make sure the reader understand the minutia and intricacies of the stitches so that a person who has never picked up a thread and needle before will have the courage to try with ease.

[taylor]

These hankies are adorable! I would like to order the materials you listed for this project but it seems they are sold out? Do you know when they might be available again or if there is someone I can contact?

[purl bee]

Hi Taylor,
Unfortunately, this fabric is no longer in print. We have some other fabrics that are very delicate in weight and style though, you can find them at these links:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/4800
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/4405
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/4377

Hope this helps!

[caitlin]

What kind of thread did you use?

[purl bee]

Hi Caitlin-

We used this thread: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6367-Valdani-Pearl-Cotton-Embroidery-Thread

And this other pearl cotton would work great as well: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8453-DMC-Pearl-Cotton-Embroidery-Thread-8

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Kim]

WOW! I can hardly believe how thorough and thought out this tutorial is!!! Thanks so much for all the little tips and tricks. The graph paper sequences really solidified the pattern in my mind. Cheers, Kim