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DIY: Napkins
While many of us may typically forgo the cloth napkin at home, it is a lovely adage to any table…plus they’re rather inexpensive!!
Materials + Tools Needed:
1. fabric, 1 yrd yields 4 napkins, $14 - $40/yrd.
2. Sewing machine…or do it by hand for an extra rustic & (dare I say it?)
“handmade” look!
3. thread & needle
4. Stitch Witchery (a fabric adhesive) $2.75 or sewing pins $3
5. fabric chalk or regular chalk…preferably white $3.50/box
6. tape measure
7. scissors
8. clothes iron
9. small damp towel
Makin’ It Happen:
1. Choose a fabric. You want a fabric that isn’t too stretchy. Linen is great for
napkins. We found our napkin fabrics at the ever-fabulous Mood Fabrics.
Mood Fabrics
225 W37th st (between 7th & 8th Aves)
2. Make a template for your napkin out of cardboard, poster board, or for those of
us who have 1/8” ply board lying around, that’ll do just fine too.
I did the 16”sq template. So, that’s what we’ll be going on.
3. Press your fabric with your iron before starting. Then using your template, place
your fabric print side down with your template on top. Using fabric chalk
(or regular white chalk), mark about 1/2” to 1” bigger than your template on all 4
sides of your fabric. So our napkins will measure 16.5” sq. each before sewing.
4. Optional: Use Stitch Witchery or fabric pins to hold fabric in place for sewing
seam. I opted for Stitch Witchery…and it’s awesome!
If using Stitch Witchery:
- Place it 1/2'” (or 1”) from the edge of the fabric.
- Fold the fabric over the Stitch Witchery.
- Take a small damp towel (white is best so that you don’t transfer any unwanted color), and place on top of your folded fabric.
- Take your iron, and iron over the damp cloth. Move cloth each time you fold fabric over ‘Witchery.
If using pins:
- fold your fabric over ½” (or 1”) and pin at the fabric’s edge so that you have space to sew the seam.
5. Now you’re ready to sew! Either use a machine if you have access to one, or you can always use your skillful hands. In either case, make your seam about ¼” away from where the fabric ends.
TIP: For corners, before you sew, cut at 45 degree angle to make corners neater.
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