Paper or Fabric? Napkins, that is.
Photos, images & text ©Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. January 2008. All rights reserved.
Permission to copy and distribute this complimentary pattern at no charge to others, for personal or NON-PROFIT use, for guild and group projects or for making small quantities to sell at craft fairs and such is granted provided all copyright information and references to Sew Thankful are kept in tact on each and every copy printed/distributed. The above permissions do NOT include or permit the re-packaging or sale of this pattern itself.
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Which do you prefer?
Isn't it time to treat yourself to better quality? Pretty fabric napkins add a special element to your table.
Using fabric napkins instead of paper is great stewardship of your resources. You save money, you keep some paper out of the landfills and it doesn't really cost anything extra to throw the napkins in with a load of clothes you're going to wash every week anyway.Oh yeah...one of the best reasons...if you bust up (actually use) some of that fabric stash, you'll be able to buy more fabric! Making fast & easy fabric napkins from your already existing stash, you can have a BUNCH for next to nothing.
Note: There are many ways to make fabric napkins, to include using rolled hems and serged edges. This pattern/project is meant to offer my simple, preferred finish for casual fabric napkins.
This project is PERFECT for beginning sew-ers and requires no special sewing machine feet or tools.
Click here for a printable PDF file (note, you must have a *recent* version of Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free from www.adobe.com -- sorry, we are unable to provide tech support for adobe software products).
1. Wash, dry and press your fabric. Quality quilting cottons are WONDERFUL! You can use leftover scraps from previous projects as long as the piece is large enough to make one napkin. We like having lots of different prints to choose from--everyone gets to choose their favorite.
2. Decide what size you want your napkins to be.
- For luncheon size napkins, I like 12" square or larger (finished size).
- For dinner or more formal occasions, I like 18" square or larger (finished size).
3. Rotary cut your fabric squares. If you want 12" finished napkins, cut 13" squares. If you want 18" finished napkins, cut 19" squares.
4. On one raw edge, fold and press ¼" to the wrong side. Fold again ¼" (now you have a double fold) and press again. Repeat on raw edge of the opposite side.
Pin ends for extra security if necessary.
5. Fold corners & press.
6. Fold raw edge up ¼" & press. Repeat on opposite side.
Repeat on opposite side.
7. Top-stitch along the edge all the way around, removing pins as you go (do NOT stitch over pins). You may use a straight stitch or a fancy stitch if your machine has the capability. The fancy stitch makes a special touch. Backstitch to secure & clip threads. Congratulations, you have a beautifully finished fabric napkin!
Here's one I made (shown folded) using a fancy edge stitch.
2. Make a special friend a small gift basket: fill basket with a couple "specialty" handmade fabric napkins, coffee cups, special coffees or teas or hot chocolate packs, maybe a couple muffins or cookies, etc.
3. If you have small children, keep a stack of fabric napkins handy. Kids love the soft fabrics and prints much better than paper PLUS they work better for spill cleanup.
4. If you're running short on placemats, open up a fabric napkin...looks great and keeps the table more tidy.
5. For some REALLY special napkins, you could hand paint or stencil designs or monogram.
Click here for a printable PDF file (note, you must have a *recent* version of Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free from www.adobe.com -- sorry, we are unable to provide tech support for adobe software products).
Be SEW GREAT in 2008. ENJOY making fabric napkins for yourself and friends!
Thanks for this reminder of how great fabric napkins are. I have a drawer full of ones I had purchased that are light colored, so had stashed them away so my toddler would not get them all stained. Now I just know I need to find some fun and funky fabrics and make him some of his own!
The napkins would look better using hand dyed or batik fabrics since they would look great on both sides.
You make a good point that hand-dyed or batik fabric will provide a more "reversible" appearing finish, "better" is rather subjective to personal taste. My boys LOVE their "one-sided" napkins. Making them used up stash that was just sitting around and even "one-sided" napkins look better than paper. PLUS, using them saves paper from being dumped into a landfill. We rarely entertain or set a truly formal table, so I'll probably be making more one-sided napkins for a while. Certainly everyone should make what suits them best.
When we visit CA we eat at Huston's in Pasadena. They have wonderful large cloth napkins..but the smartest feature of these napkins is a button hole in one corner. Just the thing to hold your napkin is place through even the messiest meal..like ribs.
Lovely Tutorial
Printed perfectly 8-)
Diana
Nancy, that is a GREAT idea!! I will have to try that on some future napkins. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Diana!
My family has used cloth napkins since our youngest child, who is now 39, was a baby. I make my napkins by purchasing 3 1/8 yds of 45" fabric, tearing 18" from each salvage and then cutting 18" napkins. The center that is left is great for my "stash" and I sometimes use designs in it to decorate napkin holders, i.e. clay pots to put the napkins in. I then use one of my sergers that I have set up for rolled hems and use woolly nylon on the upper looper and corresponding serger thread on the lower looper and needle. It makes a very sturdy and "fluffy" colorful edge. They also make wonderful, inexpensive gifts.
Alyce Phillips
Glendale AZ
GREAT idea, Alyce!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Tracy
Tracy. Cloth napkins are wonderful. I made up a bunch of them about 8 years ago, it is all we use and our guests always think it is so special.
My grandchildren love picking ones they like. I cleaned up some of my older stash including children's prints. I also use them to 'line' my cabinet, under my cups, easy to change and adds color. Line a basket, place your rolls inside and cover to keep warm.
Thank you for the great pattern.
Gail
Hi Gail,
Thanks so much for your note and extra ideas. You are so RIGHT!!! I had not thought of using them to line a cabinet -- or maybe even as a lining under the utensil/silverware holder in a couple of my kitchen drawers -- but that would be perfect!
Hugs & smiles from New Mexico, USA,
Tracy
I need advice. My daughter is getting married and I want to make cloth napkins for the guests that can then be taken home as favors. I also want to use them as name placements by stenciling each guests name on the napkin in an elegant script, then the napkins will be placed, name up, at each place setting. Any tips for the stenciling to make it neat and professional? thanks in advance
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
Unfortunately, I don't have much personal experience to draw from for this sort of thing. I'd suggest googling for "stencil" on fabric.
I just did a quick search on google and found several hopeful listings there. Also, perhaps check at your local library for book resources.
Best wishes & congratulations to your daughter!
Smiles from New Mexico,
Tracy