Vintage Hanky Tote Tutorial

I love vintage – whether it be linens, kitchen tools, fabric, graphic prints, clothing, ect. There is something so comforting to me about things that have been around for awhile and things that have a history.

Several weeks back my family and I went to a local farmer’s market and stopped at a favorite antique store in the area on our way back. I picked up quite a few vintage hankies as well as some vintage pillowcases. I knew I wanted to turn the pillowcases into dresses, but wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with the hankies.

My good friend, college roommate, and Savannah’s Godmother, Lara, just had her birthday this past week and I wanted to make a special gift for a VERY special friend. You know the saying, “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold?” Well Lara is one of my “old”, long-time friends and she is just that – pure gold. She is one of the few people in life that I can be 100% myself and never feel like there is any judgement – I feel as comfortable around her as I do my immediate family. She is very special to me and is without a doubt, what I like to call a “Forever Friend”.

So this is what I came up with for Lara’s birthday – the Vintage Hanky Tote. Give it a try – make one for yourself or give this as a gift to that special forever friend in your life.

Vintage Hanky Tote Tutorial

Supplies:

1 medium size canvas tote

1 vintage hanky

Double-sided fusible interfacing (I used Steam-a-Seam Lite)

Fabric for tote lining (approx. 1/4 yard)

Trim (for bag straps)

1 large button

1 elastic hair-tie

Sewing Machine

Hand-sewing needle

Iron

Directions:

Start with a basic canvas tote. I purchased mine at our local Joann’s, but I know you can get them many other places, such as Michael’s.

Measure the length of your straps and cut your trim accordingly. You can use ribbon, rick-rack or whatever trim you like.

Stitch your trim to each one of the bag straps.

This is what your trim will look like after you have stitched it to both of the bag straps.

Now you will need to apply your double-sided fusible interfacing to the vintage hanky.

Press your hanky to remove any wrinkles or creases.

Apply your double-sided fusible according to your package directions. Apply to the back-side of the hanky.

Now “fuse” (iron) your hanky to the front side of your canvas tote.

After you have ironed your hanky to the tote, stitch around the entire perimeter of the tote to permanently secure the hanky. Do this leaving approximately a 1/2″ seam allowance.

This is what your tote will look like after you have stitched down your hanky.

Now if you have fun clothing labels, it is time to add this before we do the lining. Place your label on the back-side of the tote between both of the straps. Adding a personal label to handmade items is so much fun! Even if you don’t have a business, I highly recommend ordering some personal labels – you will feel so proud seeing your name on something you have made.

Stitch your label in place with coordinating thread.

Now take your elastic hair-tie and tie a knot towards one-side.

Place your hair-tie on the inside of the back-side between both of the straps. Place the knot a little bit lower than where you anticipate sewing in your lining (we don’t want the knot to show). Stitch in place – sew back and forth several times to ensure a strong hold.

Now for the tote lining. Place the bottom of your tote on the fold of the lining fabric (the fold will be the bottom of the lining). Using your tote as your guide, cut around the tote, allowing for a 1/2″ seam allowance on the three sides (top and both sides).

Now stitch both sides together. Place fabric, right-sides together and stitch (1/2″ seam allowance). I used my serger, just because it is faster – it doesn’t make a difference which machine you use. So now both sides are stitched together, the bottom is the fold from the fabric and the top is open.

Fold down the top 1″ all the way around and press.

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but the fold is with the wrong-sides together.

Now turn your lining, RIGHT-side out and your tote INSIDE-out. Pin your lining to the top of the tote bag.

Stitch around the top of the lining. Make sure to use a light-colored bobbin thread for this part because it will show on the outside of the tote. If you want to be really fancy, you can hand-sew the lining into the tote.

Here is the lining sewn into the tote. As you can see, you can no longer see the little knot from the hair-tie, it looks neat and tidy!

Now sew whatever large button you have chosen to the front of the tote bag. I chose to do a fabric covered button with matching lining fabric. I find fabric covered buttons lend a vintage flair, so I thought that was perfect (and I’m kind of obsessed……you should see the jars I have of these!). But use any button you have or like.

And there you have it – a lovely, timeless vintage tote, for a lovely, lovely forever friend!

Happy Birthday Lara!

Thanks for being such a great friend!

21 Comments

Cielo Azul Jewelry says

June 13, 2010 at 9:56 PM

Lovely tutorial=0)
What a wonderful gift.

xoxo,
Carol
Lara says

June 13, 2010 at 11:16 PM

As the extremely lucky recipient of this beautiful gift, I have to say it is truly one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received. I love that each time I use my one-of-a kind-tote, I will think of my one-of-a-kind-friend. As gifted as Lindsay is with her sewing, she is an even better friend. Always there when I need her, she really is the beautiful person you would expect her to be; a true reflection of all of the peace, happiness and gratitude she shares with us on her blog. Thanks for being MY forever friend, Linds. Love you.
felicia says

June 14, 2010 at 12:59 PM

What a great idea! I love vintage handkerchiefs and when my grandmother passed away last year my mom sent me a few of hers. I may have to use one and try this project!
Weedwacker says

June 14, 2010 at 1:49 PM

I have a pretty handkerchief that was given to me by my mother, who always carried a clean one in her purse. She also carried spearment chewing gum sticks, so when we needed a handkerchief, she’d hand it to us, and it smelled like spearmint. Thanks for the “Tote-torial!”
Jenn says

June 14, 2010 at 2:00 PM

You made a boring bag beautiful! How fun!
sweetlittleknits says

June 14, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Where did you get your labels? I really like them!
Michella says

June 15, 2010 at 2:52 AM

I love this!!! I am planning to do the same with a t-shirt. Hope it turns out as good as yours :)) Have a wonderful day!!
Michella
Krystal says

June 16, 2010 at 9:18 PM

beautiful…absolutely beautiful…
luvinthemommyhood says

June 18, 2010 at 3:34 PM

so pretty! love it!
oensa82 says

June 28, 2010 at 2:47 AM

you are a genius
Nancy says

January 25, 2011 at 10:28 AM

This is just adorable!! Thanks for sharing!!

Nancy
Linda says

July 8, 2011 at 12:22 PM

I found this project with a “yahoo search” and just wanted to thank you for posting such a beautiful tutorial. I plan to make this for my BFF for her birthday next week. It will be the perfect holder for my “favorite things” I plan to give her! Thanks again!
katelyn says

July 26, 2011 at 3:35 PM

whered u find such a cute hankie
Toodles says

August 19, 2011 at 5:59 PM

I am someone who has sewn aliitle all my life but with being older I want to get back into it…your tutorials make evrything look so easy that you have definitely motivated me to sew once again!! Thank-u! Gloria. Happy baby boy!!!!
Antonija says

February 25, 2012 at 6:54 PM

What a fabulous idea! i have piles of hankies I pick up at garage sales and flea markets–I will use some to do this. Thanks a heap for the tutorial!
–Toni in Milwaukee
thegina says

March 24, 2012 at 7:14 PM

I’m curious on how you sew the hanky all the way around without sewing the bag shut?? Sorry I’m a beginner lol
- Cynthia J Avalos says
  
  May 5, 2016 at 2:30 PM
  
  That’s what I want to know too! Without actually sewing, I ran the bag around the presser foot and it would be very hard.
Susan says

May 7, 2012 at 7:11 PM

This is absolutely gorgeous! I just found your blog via another blog! I am now following you!
Jedi Craft Girl says

May 23, 2013 at 11:56 PM

This is too cute!!!
Viji pratap says

July 16, 2016 at 9:03 PM

That was an excellent tutorial.. I love the end result.. You have a lucky friend to own this.