in coming up with a project for this week, we decided to make something that we’ve been desperately needing around the house. for a while now we’ve been trying to cut down on our use of paper, so we decided to whip up a set of custom cloth napkins. they couldn’t be simpler to make, they’ll save some trees, and we’ll be glad to have them for our weekly dinner parties. plus, since it only takes 1 yard to make a set of 4, it was the perfect excuse to raid our “cute fabric scraps” stash. click here for the full post and instructions, or just click “read more” below.
have fun!
-derek & lauren
here’s what you’ll need:
-1 yard cotton or linen fabric (you can find the pear print we used here)
-ruler
-scissors
-pencil or tailor’s chalk
-iron
-thread
-sewing machine
1. wash and press your fabric.
2. measure, mark and cut out four 18″ squares.
3. press down a 1/4″ rolled hem on the top and bottom, pinning in place if necessary.
4. stitch with your sewing machine.
5. repeat with side seams.
30 Comments
I recently just switched to cloth napkins as well—the pear print is adorable!!!
what a great idea for using fabric scraps! large pieces would probably work for kitchen hand towels too…LOVE it.
love the fabric – could you tell us where to find it? Thanks!
julia
there’s a link to the fabric in the instruction list above :)
grace
Thanks for this cute AND environmentally friendly idea!
I agree – what a great way to use fabric scraps! I have a suggestion based on years of using cloth napkins at every meal. If you plan on using them regularly, choose a 100% cotton or linen fabric that can disguise hard-to-remove stains. Lipstick and oil can send a pretty napkin to the rag bag in no time.
I love this idea! I cant wait to make some!
Thanks!
cute! i will have to try this…
i LOVE the pear print!
That does it . . . I’m teaching myself how to sew and giving these as Christmas gifts this year. We’ve been using cloth napkins for the last year and I love them!
I really love this print…perfect for right now! So happy to see this idea promoted. Cloth napkins make every meal feel special. I’ve made large sets for wedding gifts and made sure they matched the couples aesthetic and whatever dishes had registered for.
If anyone lives in Boston, the Crate&Barrel on Brattle Street in Cambridge is currently selling loads of Marimekko fabric off at a really great price per yard. Their fabrics make fun napkins (I have made many myself!). Also, I have gotten some really nice, simple patterns from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing book. In addition to napkins, she has instructions for many other useful household items that help us all in the quest to reduce our consumption and recycle materials. Yay!
My husband wanted to switch to switch to cloth napkins but I found it too expensive. I’ll give this a try and finally make him happy (table-napkin-wise).
Beautiful and simple idea. It’s just to easy to grab a paper towel or napkin to clean even the smallest drop of water, then you just get waste after waste. Cloth napkins would make me think twice.
What a gorgeous print. :) You’ve inspired me to make some for my home, thankyou.
Such a great project! It’s sad; I have a sewing machine that I never use… because I’m not really sure how to. These napkins of motivated me to change that!
So Easy! I really need to go buy a sewing machine for myself. My list of to-do DIY projects is getting bigger and bigger !
jenrc – i just ordered that same lotta jansdotter simple sewing book on tuesday! you should also check out (if you haven’t already) lotta prints, filled with simple and fun printing projects.
alana – you are right this is a great xmas gift idea. if you had the time and extra fabric you could make a whole matching set – napkins, placematts, drink coasters, and table runner.
lovelovelove the pear print. THANK YOU DEREK & LAUREN FOR BEING SO AWESOME!
We have made some of these. They are SO easy and we feel a little greener now! Thanks!
We have made some of these. They are SO easy and we feel a little greener now! Thanks!
thank you for another great idea!
what kind of plate is shown in the top photo? it’s gorgeous!
These are so easy to make – I’ve made a ton of them! I made about 15 for a baby shower so now I have lots on hand!
Thanks, this is fantastic! It would also be very easy to make with upcycled fabric. I have bought more vintage table cloths than I can possibly use & I’m thinking one or two of them could be sacrificed into napkins. Great gifts!
geogirl- the plate came from the heath ceramics factory store in sausalito. it’s our favorite!
Great idea, this also inspires me to print my own napkins using my own design. Thanks for this inspiration!
I usually buy my fabric for napkins at the upscale quilt shops but bought some on sale at Walmart the other day and they wash and dry without pressing. It’s awesome. I love to mix and match napkins – it’s like a little surprise for each of my friends as they compare napkins.
I live in Oklahoma and there is only one or two material stores in OK left. I needed some grosgrain ribbon the other day and Wal Mart stopped stockiing material and dry goods. I had to improvise. What do you suggest?
NRuddick
Hi:
I’m new to sewing, sort of, and I love all the possibilities, and bought a pfaff. I’m stunned by how straight these seams are on these napkin pictures! I don’t know if my mind wanders or what, but how do you keep the seams so straight?
Did anyone pick a thicker cotton. I went to wal-mart and looked at their 100% cotton and it seemed really thin. Any suggestions. I am making them for my wedding so I want them to look good.
What a great idea! I have tons of scrap material I was recently given – in the form of large cotton shirts and skirts. It was given to me because the person thought I would like it for quilting, but the print is too large for my tastes. This would be a great way to use all that up – AND save garbage space AND stop throwing away money on paper napkins. I’m sure that the energy spent washing and drying is negligible because they’re so small.
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