If you’re looking for a simple sewing project to try, look no further than cloth napkins. They’re easy to make and you can customize them to match your decor! Plus, they’re much cheaper than buying them in stores. This article will show you How To Sew Cloth Napkins in 5 Steps!
1. Pre-wash and dry your fabric
Sp5der clothing napkins are a simple, inexpensive way to add a little extra style to your table and they’re also good for the environment! Plus, sewing your own allows you to choose fabric that’s perfect for you. You can even get creative and add embellishments like embroidery, lace, or DIY tassels!
First, wash and dry your fabric. This step is important because it removes any sizing and accounts for any shrinkage that might happen when you sew your napkins. Next, cut your fabric into 17 inch squares. You can use scissors or a rotary cutter with a self-healing mat.
Pair up the squares, with the “right sides” facing each other. Then pin around the edges. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew all the way around the fabric, leaving a 2-3 inch opening on one side. When you are finished, turn the fabric right side out and press well. Using fabric scissors, trim any stray threads. Then, topstitch all the way around the napkin to close the opening and give it a nice, finished look.
2. Cut your fabric squares
You’ll want to use linen or cotton, or a fabric with at least 80% natural fiber. The natural fibers are more absorbent, and they’ll shrink less than polyester will. Prewash and dry your fabric before you start cutting your napkins.
Cut your fabric into 17 inch squares. This size is perfect for everyday cloth napkins. To cut the squares, fold and trim the sides until you have a nice even rectangle. Then use a ruler to mark the corners of your rectangle.
Put one of your squares right side together with a piece of the other fabric. Make sure that the outer edges are lined up, and sew around them with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3-4 inch opening on one side for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams to secure them. If you’d like to add a little extra detail, fold the hem up about an inch and press it. You can also use a serger to serge the hems for a neater finish. Now the napkins are ready to use!
3. Fold the edges over and press
Whether you want to dress up your home for a festive holiday or simply want to reduce the amount of paper products you use, reusable cloth napkins vs serviette are an easy DIY project. The best part is they’re also a great gift idea for friends!
Start with two fabric squares of the same size (and preferably prewashed) and put them together with the right sides facing each other. Draw a line on the fold that extends out past the edge of the napkin and stitch along it. This makes a mitered corner, which looks more professional and is less bulky than an unfinished corner.
Repeat with the other side of the napkin and then press it flat. You can do this by hand or use your sewing machine. If you choose to sew the edges, you can also use a decorative stitch to add something extra to your napkins! This is a good time to try out an embroidery stitch or work in some lace trim. You could even add a small DIY tassel to each corner to elevate your home decor!
4. Sew the hem
For this option, start with a freshly pressed and lightly starched fat quarter. Square up the edge and fold it in 3/8” to encase the raw edge, pressing as you go. Clip the corner in place, then bring it to your sewing machine for an edge stitch, backstitching at both the beginning and end of your seam line. Sew all around the edges of your napkin, leaving a 4″-gap (10 cm) on one side for turning.
If you’d prefer a more rustic look, press the edges under and hand stitch a hem instead of using your serger (affiliate link). This takes longer but gives your napkins that classic frayed edge.
Cloth napkins are an elegant touch to any dining table, from fancy dinner parties to weeknight family meals. Mix and match colors and fabrics to add a bit of spunk to your everyday meals, or use a single set for a more consistent look. You can even monogram your cortiez for a personal touch. Just don’t forget to buy a matching tablecloth and runners for a cohesive look!
5. Finish the edges
If you want a really nice look to your spider clothes napkins try making them with mitered corners. These are a little more time consuming than the simple reversible napkins but they really dress up your table!
If desired you can also do decorative stitching along the edges. This can add a nice touch especially if you made the napkins in different fabrics to match your decor. Be careful though if you are new to sewing as this will take longer and you may accidentally run out of thread when you get to the corner.
If you are using a decorative stitch be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. You can also choose to use a contrasting color for your thread so you can easily see any mistakes you might make as you sew. This is a great option for beginners. You could even stitch a monogram or some words to personalize your napkins! Creating a set of these eco friendly, fun and useful napkins is easy and will really improve the look of your dinner table.