Napkin Tutorial

So many friends have been asking me how I make my napkins, that I thought I would post a tutorial on how to do it.  My friend Linda was cranking these out as last minute gifts, and I just had to do it too.  The napkins are super easy.  I apologize for the quality of my photos.  It is dark and gloomy here where I live and I just can't get the proper lighting. 

Here is what you need to make four napkins:

1 yard EACH of two contrasting fabrics--it is fun to pick novelty, food theme, & holiday fabrics for these.

For my example, I used an olive print fabric and a matching solid.

From EACH yard, cut two 21 1/2" squares and two 14 1/2" squares.

Staystitch one half inch along the edges of all the large squares.  This will be your pressing line.

Fold and press on your stitching line.

Now you need to make a template for your mitering angle.  Cut a four inch square out of stiff paper or cardboard.  Cut the square diagonally into two triangles.  Use one of the triangles as your template.  Place the template on each of the four corners of the napkin and mark with chalk.  This will be your stitching line to get a perfect mitered corner.

Then match up your chalk lines perfectly, pin and stitch on the chalk line.

Trim one quarter inch away from the stitching line, and crop the corner a bit so you get a nice sharp point when you turn it right side out.

Turn your napkin right side out and press, using Sizing.  This will make the fabric all crisp and nice.

Carefully place your contrasting smaller square under the mitered edges, lining it up as evenly as you can.  And this is CRITICAL:  make sure the straight of grain of the fabric is going the same direction when you line up both pieces.  Otherwise, when laundered, the napkin will shift and get all wonky.

Pin, and do two rows of topstitching all around the inside edges.  I did one line right on the edge of the olive fabric where it meets the solid, and another line about one presser foot's width away.

You will end up with four napkins, two of which will be the reverse of the other two.

Now comes the fun part.  Find some baskets or other container to arrange the napkins in, and fill it with items that go with your theme.  Here are two ideas:

Now, if you have stuck with me this far, I will end with a photo that captures my life.  Every minute that I am sewing, this is what I have on my knee:

"Are you done yet?  Play with me, play with me, play with me..."

Comments

[Laura Casey]

Thank you, thank you....I've used your directions to make beautiful linen napkins in cranberry color....for a neighbors birthday....they came out PERFECT! My dog is cute too....she's a wheaten terrier, and hates to have her picture taken.....must be the flash....her name is Maggie.....

[Anita]

This was so helpful to me and sooooooooo easy. I even took my napkin to our local Sewing Guild and showed them how to get a perfect mitered corner every time. We were all amazed as to how easy it was. Thank you so much. Anita