Dab, Dab

Whether you are prepping for the holidays, or getting ready for a birthday or baby shower, cloth napkins are a great way to personalize your table decor.  Expand your decorating options by sewing the napkins yourself -- from your favorite fabrics.

They are super easy to make, so why not?

Deck the halls!  Deck the tables!  Get started with this simple, illustrated tutorial.  Fancy-up and save some dollars at the same time.  Happy Holidays, everyone!

 

MATERIALS LIST

    • 1 1/4 yd fabric, 44"/45" wide (makes 4 napkins)
    • Thread

    HELPFUL TOOLS
    Pins, scissors, iron, water-soluble or disappearing-ink marker

 

INSTRUCTIONS (Click on images to enlarge.)

1. Prep Fabric - Wash & dry fabric to pre-shrink, then press.  Square up grainline of fabric if necessary by alternately pulling on fabric & pressing till vertical and horizontal threads in fabric run perpendicular to each other.

2. Cut Out Napkins - Cut out four 21" squares of fabric.  Press all edges under 1/4" toward wrong side of fabric.

3. Mark Corner Miters - Click here to download Mitered Corner Template.  For each corner of napkin, do the following:  Using template, mark white and black circles with disappearing ink.  With right sides together, fold napkin corner in half on bias fold line, matching black circles.  Stitch across corner from black circle to white circle through both layers.  Trim excess fabric at corner, 1/4" inch away from stitching line. 

 

4. Finish Napkin - Finger-press miter seams open.  Fold hem toward wrong side of napkin.  Fold under raw edges and press again along fold line from Step 2 to conceal raw edges of fabric;  press along outside edge of napkin & at mitered corners.  Edge-stitch near inside fold through all layers to complete napkin.  Secure & trim thread.  Press napkin.  Remove any visible marks.

ENJOY!

Whip up some autumn napkin rings while you're at it.  It's going to be a great week.

Comments

[Kate Erbach]

Thank you! Finally, a simple way to do mitered corners. My son, the cook, will love a set of napkins for the holidays.

[Katie]

Oh, what I wouldn't do with an endless supply of your beautiful fabric. :)

[Dena]

Thank you for the tutorial! This is certainly going to be helpful the next time I sew up some fabric napkins. Your fabrics look great!

[Samantha]

OK, now I'm going to make some napkins. This is a great way to do the miters. Thank you!

[Carla]

Awesome tutorial! I have been wanting to make some nice napkins! Thank you!!!

[Cindy]

Very nice, thanks so much. I'm hosting t-day, might need some napkins.

[KC]

What type of fabric did you use?

[maggie]

Love these! Love the simplicity, love the fabric, love the tutorial. I'm making aprons for some of my friends for Christmas...if I have any left over fabric, I would love to add some of these :)

[Tina in Boston]

you're so good, Heather! Thanks!

[ChicaEnglish]

I love handmade napkins. Mine are starting to look a little worse for wear so it may be time to whip up a new batch. Thanks the reminder.

[Ali Rockwell]

These are absolutely perfect!

[Eunice]

Hi
I love your fabric. Have been using your nicey jane picnic bouquet Tangerine for 3 of my sewing projects - a child booster seat, pouch with tissue compartment and a car seat padding! So pretty.

[Stephanie]

Saw this on childmade. Love the colors and patterns, and they don't look like they would be too hard to make. Love the brightness of your blog, too. I need to brighten mine up a little.

[melinda Davenport]

Thanks Heather might make these for my upcoming wedding :-)