How to Sew Cloth Napkins for Everyday Use

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Use 100 percent cotton.

   If you are on a budget, you can buy cotton curtains or cotton sheets and use them.
   
   Just make sure you wash them in hot water and dry in the dryer.
   
   Very important!
2. 2

   Step 2: Prewash the fabric and dry in the dryer (since you should always be drying napkins in a dryer to kill all the germs that can accumulate on them).

   Press the fabric to remove any wrinkles. , Why the lining? It helps keep the corners from curling, which helps you avoid ironing the napkins when they come out of the dryer! ,, Remember, they can all be coordinated but each napkin can have two different fabrics on it. ,, Your seam allowance should be slightly less than a half inch
   -- but more than a 1/4th of an inch. ,,,,,
3. 3

   Step 3: You'll need about a 1-1/4 yards of fabric for two napkins since these napkins are lined.

4. 4

   Step 4: Cut the fabric into pieces that are squares (fat quarters

5. 5

   Step 5: as they call them in quilting circles) -- at lest 18 inches (45.7 cm) but can be as large as 22-1/2 inch squares.

6. 6

   Step 6: Once you have a pile of at least 12 squares

7. 7

   Step 7: with the wrong sides together

8. 8

   Step 8: pin two fabrics together.

9. 9

   Step 9: Pin around all sides of the fabric

10. 10

    Step 10: right sides together

11. 11

    Step 11: but mark one side with a pin that is vertical -- that will be your signal to start and stop on that side.

12. 12

    Step 12: Using about 12 stitches to the inch gauge

13. 13

    Step 13: start about a third of the way down one side and sew around all the next three sides

14. 14

    Step 14: pivoting at the corner

15. 15

    Step 15: then sew down about a third of the way down the side you began sewing on.

16. 16

    Step 16: Trim the corners.

17. 17

    Step 17: Now turn the napkin inside out

18. 18

    Step 18: using a corner turner or a knitting needle (be careful if you use a needle

19. 19

    Step 19: not to tear the corner)

20. 20

    Step 20: gently push the corners out.

21. 21

    Step 21: Press the napkin

22. 22

    Step 22: pulling the seams out to be sure the seam is on the edge.

23. 23

    Step 23: Now top stitch a half-inch from the edge

24. 24

    Step 24: all around the entire napkin.

25. 25

    Step 25: Enjoy!

Detailed Guide

About the Author