I just adore using fabric napkins! I know that it is a little extra work to wash them, but they look so pretty on the table and really take dinner up a notch! Plus you can have so much fun with pretty fabrics and styles – and they are so easy to make!
This is a little secret though – I use a cheater method with my mitered corners. And not just on napkins – on anything that I need to sew into a corner! It’s so fast and looks nice – and you don’t have to do any trimming ahead of time!
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Fast and Easy Fabric Napkins:
- 18″ square of fabric – per napkin. So you can get two napkins out of 1/2 yard.
(My fabric is the Waverly Inspirations line at Walmart. Any cotton fabric works great for these!) - Matching thread
To cut out your napkins, the easiest method is to use a rotary cutter and mat. Just cut out an 18″ square for each napkin.
Now here’s my cheater method to Mitered Corners. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.
Start in the center of one of your sides and fold the fabric in to the wrong side 1/4″, then 1/4″ again. This will make a small hem. Sew until you are about 3″ from the corner.
Fold the corner in at an angle, so about 1/2″ is folded in.
Now with that corner folded in, fold up the bottom edge of the fabric twice. You’ll have to hold this in place for a bit. Sew up until you have to let go and the folds are held in place under the presser foot. You only want to sew up until you reach the folded edge of the bottom side.
Lift the pressure foot and turn the fabric so you’re facing down the new side. You might need to adjust your fabric a bit.
Continue sewing your hem in place along this side and repeat your mitered corners as you come to them.
This might take a little practice but you’ll get the hang of it quickly – and you can always press the corners in place if you want to to make things a little easier. It makes for such a nice clean corner and it’s so fast! It looks pretty on the outside of the fabric too!
Now you can zip through the rest of your napkins – super easy!
I love how they look on my diy floral painted chargers. They really add a lot of color and style!
Do you use fabric napkins? If you do, have you ever made your own?
I can’t wait to make up some with pretty embroidery too!
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Very nice work! I’ve made fabric napkins before and love them. That reminds me – I should be using my fabric napkins all the time!
We use them most of the time. I truly hate the waste and chemicals of paper towels or paper napkins. We bought our house last summer, and the back door had a curtain on it that, while was pretty, it was not even remotely in our color scheme. So I washed it and started cutting. I got 11 napkins out of that piece of cloth! Thanks for the great tutorial. Even an experienced sewist like myself find regular mitered corners to be a real pain. I can’t wait to try this method!
We use fabric napkins almost exlusively! I’ve gotten kind of spoiled by them, actually. They just feel so much nicer against your skin than paper! I’ve featured your tutorial on Craft Gossip here: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-your-own-fabric-napkins/2016/08/17/ –Anne
I followed the link from Craft Gossip newsletter. I have been thinking about making napkins for a few Christmas presents and after reading your post, I am definitely going to be following your tutorial and make up several sets. Thank you for the great tutorial! I also follow you on Blog lovin’.
Love these! I have been meaning to make fabric napkins ever since I bought some that weren’t square at all (though they were supposed to be)! Now I think I’ll shift gears and head out to Walmart!
Thanks for the inspiration! (Love your blog!)
I love this tip about easy mitered corners – brilliant! I am inspired to make some napkins now. Thank you for sharing at Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party.
Love the tip and I love the fabric! Thanks
Nice! And I like your trick, I’ll definitely need to give it a try myself. I do need to make some napkins, especially as we don’t use paper in the kitchen! :)
These are beautiful! I’m definitely going to have to give this a go.
Great idea, sounds easy!
I know this post is old but I really enjoyed this! I am about to try this out and I cant wait to see how it turns out. I also like the placemats and dishtowels you have also made. I wished I could see a tutorial on how you did them :).