Remember these? All my 20 to 30 year-old something nieces had them. A antique handkerchief simply sewn into a baptism bonnet and brought out again at their weddings for something old.
I made my new great-niece-to-be one for a baby shower time capsule and everyone commented that you just couldn't find these anywhere anymore. Do you suppose I revived this old staple into a new trend?
To make these simply fold a handkerchief in half and baste a 1/2 inch seam on the folded edge. Slip a ribbon through the opening and gather. Tie a pretty bow at the back. For these I sewed pretty bow and flower into the front lower corners so it could actually be worn. I'm pretty sure it took me all of 10 minutes.
There are several versions of the poem that accompanies the bonnet if you search on the web, but this one is my favorite.
This bonnet at first seems small in your hands,
A treasure of lace and ribbon bands.
But this gift is more than linen and charms
For the sweet baby who rests in Mother's arms.
From boxes long sealed, she will search for the hat,
Snip off the ribbons, and after that
Hand over this handkerchief with a smile
To her grown-up daughter, who will walk down the aisle.
Or to maybe her son, a young handsome groom,
She will hand him a gift, a family heirloom.
He will give it to the girl who holds his heart
To have and to hold, till death do they part.
So sweet, I got one 32 years ago on my wedding and passedonto one of my daughters.want to make a few now. Love the poem, thanks so much for sharing the how-to's.
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