Here is a simple tutorial to make your own cloth napkins. We only use cloth napkins in our home because it cuts down on paper waste. Cloth napkins are far superior to paper ones in my book. For example: ever been eating fried chicken and wiped your hands on a paper napkin only to have it rip to shreds? Maybe it's just me. If you have a collection of cloth napkins, you can use them for one or two meals if they don't get too dirty, throw them in with a load of laundry and they're good to go. Besides, you'll save money by not buying napkins all the time. I cannot say enough good things about cloth napkins.
The only part you need some patience for is the pressing but otherwise, this is a fast and easy project. You can whip out a set of four in no time. This is also a great wedding shower gift to throw in with some various kitchen items.
Okay here we go.
First, choose your fabric and cut into a square. You can cut into 12x12, 14x14 or 16x16. The bigger the better in my opinion. Cut with care; you need a perfect square for your napkins to turn out nicely.
Fold edges under 1/4" and press. Then fold another 1/4" and press. Your pressing lines will guide where you cut off your corners. (See diagram above.) Feel free to use disappearing ink or a pencil to mark your creases if it helps.
Cut off corner where marked.
Fold over the edge you just cut 1/4". Should line up with the lower point of crease (you can see my purple mark in the picture.)
Refold edges and re-press along crease lines 1/4".
Fold over 1/4" once more and you have a perfect mitred corner!
Stitch all the way around napkin, securing the folds. You can use a straight stitch, two parallel lines of straight stitching, or a decorative topstitch. Now you're finished!
For great step by step photo instructions on how to fold napkins many different ways, Click here!
Here is a set of four I made out of fabric my friend brought me back from Mozambique. I gave these to my sister-in-law as a wedding shower gift.
Here is a set of four I made out of fabric my friend brought me back from Mozambique. I gave these to my sister-in-law as a wedding shower gift.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)