Handkerchief Wedding Invites: Diy Guide For Couples

Handkerchief wedding invitations are a unique and creative way to invite guests to your wedding. This DIY project is perfect for those who want to add a personal touch to their wedding invitations and impress their guests. The process involves printing your wedding details on vintage handkerchiefs, which can then be folded and sealed with a paper strap or placed in an envelope. This idea is especially suitable for couples who love vintage and retro styles and want their invitations to stand out.

Choosing the right fabric

When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your handkerchief wedding invitations, there are several factors to consider. The fabric should be elegant and complement the overall theme and tone of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect fabric:

Fabric Type

The type of fabric you choose will depend on the desired look and feel of your invitations. Consider the following options:

• Cotton: Smooth and pure cotton fabric is a popular choice for formal invitations. It is often more expensive but offers a sophisticated and elegant appearance.
• Linen: Linen has a subtle cross-weave texture that adds interest to your invitations. It is a favourite for wedding invitations and can be found in various weights and colours.
• Silk: If you want a luxurious and elegant option, silk fabric can be an excellent choice. It has a smooth and shiny appearance, making it perfect for upscale weddings.
• Satin: For a soft and silky feel, satin fabric is a great option. It has a beautiful sheen and is available in different weights, making it suitable for both casual and formal weddings.
• Polyester: This synthetic fabric is durable, easy to care for, and affordable. It can be an excellent option if you want a lightweight and breathable fabric for your invitations.

Fabric Weight and Thickness

The weight and thickness of the fabric are important considerations. Handkerchief wedding invitations typically range from lightweight to medium-weight fabrics. Here are some tips:

• Lightweight fabrics: If you want your invitations to have a delicate and airy feel, opt for lightweight fabrics such as cotton lawn, silk chiffon, or polyester chiffon. These fabrics drape beautifully and are perfect for summer weddings.
• Medium-weight fabrics: For a more substantial feel, choose medium-weight fabrics like cotton poplin, silk dupioni, or polyester taffeta. These fabrics offer a nice balance between lightness and structure.

Fabric Colour and Pattern

The colour and pattern of the fabric will set the tone for your wedding invitations. Here are some tips:

• Solid colours: Opting for solid-coloured fabrics like white, ivory, or pastel shades can give your invitations a classic and elegant look.
• Patterns: If you want to add interest and dimension to your invitations, consider patterned fabrics such as floral prints, stripes, or geometric designs. Just ensure that the pattern complements your wedding theme and doesn't overwhelm the text.

Fabric Texture

The texture of the fabric can enhance the overall tactile experience of your invitations. Here are some options:

• Smooth fabrics: Smooth fabrics like silk or satin provide a luxurious and sleek feel. They are perfect for formal and elegant weddings.
• Textured fabrics: If you want to add a unique touch, consider textured fabrics such as embroidered cotton, lace, or linen with a subtle weave. These fabrics can give your invitations a rustic or vintage charm.

Remember, when choosing the fabric for your handkerchief wedding invitations, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, your wedding theme, and the printing or embroidery techniques you plan to use. Ordering fabric samples can also help you decide by allowing you to feel and see the fabric in person.

Preparing the fabric for printing

Next, pour some Bubble Jet Set into a shallow tray and lay the fabric pieces in it, pouring the rest of the bottle over the top. Ensure that all layers are completely saturated and let it sit for five minutes. Take each piece out, gently squeeze out excess liquid, and hang up to dry. Repeat this process until all your fabric pieces have been treated.

Once your fabric squares are dry, attach them to the paper so they can go through the printer. Set your iron to medium-high and, once warmed up, let it steam to ensure all the water is evaporated. Iron all the sheets to the fabric, ensuring the wax side of the paper is against the fabric. Be sure to get the paper straight, especially if the grain of the fabric is very noticeable. Use a rotary cutter to trim the fabric to the edges of the paper.

Printing the invitations

Next, wash and dry your fabric. You can trim the cut ends with pinking shears or stitch down the edge with a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying. Cut freezer paper into 8.5"x11" sheets—you will need one sheet per invitation.

Once the fabric is dry, iron out all the wrinkles and cut it into 12"x9.5" pieces. Be sure to look out for any blemishes in the fabric. Pour some Bubble Jet Set into a shallow tray and lay about 10 pieces of fabric into the tray, pouring the rest of the bottle over the top. Allow the fabric to sit and become saturated for five minutes. Gently squeeze out any excess liquid and hang the fabric up to dry. Repeat this process until all your fabric squares are treated.

Now, attach the fabric to the paper so it can go through your printer. Set your iron to medium-high and, once warmed up, let it steam for a minute to evaporate any remaining water. Iron the paper sheets to the fabric, wax side down, until the paper is completely stuck to the fabric. Be sure to get the paper straight, especially if the grain of the fabric is very noticeable. Use a rotary cutter to trim the fabric to the edges of the paper—it is better for the paper to be slightly smaller than the fabric than for the fabric to hang over the edge.

Now you are ready to print! Be sure your print settings are for regular paper and high quality. Feed the sheets through the printer one by one. Once they are all printed, it's time to rinse them. Fill a clean tray halfway with water and add about 1 tablespoon of mild detergent. Peel the fabric off the paper backing and swish it gently in the water. Be careful not to rub the printed parts of the fabric together. Hang the fabric up to dry, being careful not to stretch it, or your image will dry skewed.

Finally, use your rotary cutter to cut clean, straight edges. Finish the edges with a sewing machine, using either a serger or a regular sewing machine with a rolled-edge hem.

Washing the fabric after printing

When it comes to washing printed fabric, it is always best to test a small piece of fabric first. This is because fabrics can vary in quality and manufacture, so results may vary. For instance, linen is generally used in situations where laundering the item after sewing is desired. Therefore, it is best to pre-wash linen using a hot water cycle, as you can expect to lose 2-4 inches of length per yard in shrinkage for most linens.

To pre-shrink linen fabric, use a washing machine and wash with a hot water cycle. Dry the linen completely in a dryer for added shrinkage. You can then choose to either wet the linen again and press it dry to remove any wrinkles, or not dry it fully and press it the rest of the way. After the clothing is made, it is best to cold-water hand wash and hang to dry to avoid any further shrinkage.

Cotton is another fabric that can always be laundered. To pre-shrink your cotton fabric, wash it in a washing machine using a hot water cycle. Dry the cotton completely in the dryer, and use a spray or steam iron to remove any wrinkles. After the item is made, it is best to launder with a cold-water wash and dry on a cool cycle or by hanging to dry. For cotton handkerchiefs, hand wash in cold water with gentle soap and white vinegar to help set the dye.

If you are using well water or if your hot water temperature is higher than 125 degrees Fahrenheit, please note that these directions are meant only as a general guideline.

Finishing the edges

Once the fabric is cut, you will need to finish the edges to prevent fraying. There are a few different ways to do this:

• Using a serger sewing machine: Set your serger to the shortest stitch setting and set it up for 3-thread sewing. Sew all the way around the outside of the invitation. Then, cut the threads at the end flush with the edge of the fabric. Using a serger will give your invitations a very vintage look.
• Using a regular sewing machine: You can use a regular sewing machine to give your invitations a rolled edge hem. This method will require more time and effort but will still produce a professional finish.
• No-sew method: If you don't have access to a sewing machine or prefer not to sew, you can use a no-sew hemming product such as regular or ultra-light Stitch Witchery. Fold the fabric over, place the fusible tape between the layers, and iron to melt the adhesive. This method will help you achieve a flowy feel to the fabric.

After finishing the edges, your handkerchief wedding invitations will be complete! You can then assemble them with envelopes and any additional inserts, such as RSVP postcards.

Frequently asked questions