Folding a cotton handkerchief depends on your desired outcome, such as fitting it in a pocket or creating a specific design. Here's a general method for a simple fold, suitable for pocket use:
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Lay the handkerchief flat: Place the handkerchief on a clean, flat surface.
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Fold in half: Fold the handkerchief in half, bringing one corner to the opposite corner. This creates a rectangle.
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Fold in half again: Fold the rectangle in half, aligning the shorter edges. This creates a square.
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Adjust: Adjust the folded handkerchief until you are happy with how it looks and feels in your pocket. You can adjust the final shape by folding it in thirds or creating a different final fold.
For decorative folds like those used for pocket squares (which can also be cotton), several methods exist:
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The Presidential Fold (Square Fold): Creates a clean, formal look. Fold in half, then in half again as described above for a simple pocket fold.
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The Puff Fold: Creates a casual, rounded look. Pinch the handkerchief in the center, let the fabric drape down, and fold the bottom up to create the puff.
The linked YouTube video (although only partially transcribed) mentions starting by folding a pocket square (often cotton) in half, suggesting this is a common initial step for various decorative folds.