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Make Your Own Cloth Napkins

Updated on September 27, 2023
MariaMontgomery profile image

Maria is a master gardener and master of public health. She and her husband, Bo, are known online as The Gardener & The Cook.

Whether It's Sewing or Knitting, Making Squares and Rectangles Is a Piece o' Cake

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One Small Way to Protect the Environment -- Nothing Could Be Easier

After spending far too much money on paper napkins and paper towels, we decided to use cloth napkins at all of our meals. It's one small way we can help to reduce paper going into the landfill -- and it adds a special touch to a table setting. I like the napkins to match or coordinate with the décor of the kitchen, but sometimes have difficulty finding just the right colors. Now that our kitchen is a pale buttery yellow with black and white accents, that isn't a problem, but I still like to make my own. I usually make my own draperies and window toppers, so I often buy extra fabric to use for making napkins. Want to learn how? Read on, and I will show you.

A Very Simple Topper for the Window of Our New Kitchen

This topper is small and simple, so I want embellish. I bought more of this fabric, now to find the time...
This topper is small and simple, so I want embellish. I bought more of this fabric, now to find the time... | Source
A closer look. The welting (or piping) is covered in the drapery gingham, cut on the bias.
A closer look. The welting (or piping) is covered in the drapery gingham, cut on the bias. | Source

The Fabric Used for Our Kitchen Decor -- Napkins, Too!

The toile and larger gingham (foreground) were used for draperies and upholstery. The tiny gingham (background)  was used for napkins.
The toile and larger gingham (foreground) were used for draperies and upholstery. The tiny gingham (background) was used for napkins. | Source

Don't Waste Those Fabric Scraps!

The plaid napkin you see in the photo below is made of fabric left over from a tablecloth I made for our patio table several years ago. All these fabrics are 100% cotton. I prefer cotton fabrics because they are easier to clean. Surprisingly, they don't require ironing. I would have to draw the line there!

I also bought about 1/2 yard each of solid yellow and solid blue fabric for making more napkins of coordinating colors. That plaid tablecloth later became part of a tent-flap style drapery topper for the kitchen at our former home. Some small scraps of it were used as the lining for a cascade-style valance. The cascade valance is shown in the photo below. We sold the draperies with the house, and donated the old patio table, but we still have the napkins.

Some of My "Homemade" Cloth Napkins

Some of My "Homemade" Cloth Napkins
Some of My "Homemade" Cloth Napkins

Getting Started

What Type Fabric to Use?

It is better if you have a fabric that looks the same on both sides. It is not required, of course, but having the same appearance on both sides makes the napkins reversible. We usually use our cloth napkins twice before washing them. We first use the "right side" then, at the next meal, we use the reverse side.

Drapery fabric, of course, will have a front and a back, and only one side is pretty. For my black and white napkins, I used regular cotton gingham in order to get a reversible napkin. But for the drapery trim, I used the heavier screen-printed gingham drapery fabric. After choosing your fabric, it's time to cut and sew. Let's get started.

Photo Guide to the Steps to Making Your Own Cloth Napkins

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Cut out a square of cloth about 1 and 1/2 inches wider and longer than you want the finished napkin to be. With the wrong side up,  fold over 1/4 inch of fabric. Iron to hold it in place.Next, fold the same amount over again so the raw edge of fabric is turned under, pressing as you go. Pin this into place.Turn the square of cloth, and pin the next side, folding over the corner at a right angle, and pin into place. You can miter the corners, but is for another article.Stitch all the way around the square of cloth, using a medium-sized stitch, or even a machine basting stitch. Small stitches will cause the fabric to pucker, especially after being washed. This photo shows the under side of the finished napkin.This photo is of the right side of the finished napkin.
Cut out a square of cloth about 1 and 1/2 inches wider and longer than you want the finished napkin to be. With the wrong side up,  fold over 1/4 inch of fabric. Iron to hold it in place.
Cut out a square of cloth about 1 and 1/2 inches wider and longer than you want the finished napkin to be. With the wrong side up, fold over 1/4 inch of fabric. Iron to hold it in place.
Next, fold the same amount over again so the raw edge of fabric is turned under, pressing as you go. Pin this into place.
Next, fold the same amount over again so the raw edge of fabric is turned under, pressing as you go. Pin this into place.
Turn the square of cloth, and pin the next side, folding over the corner at a right angle, and pin into place. You can miter the corners, but is for another article.
Turn the square of cloth, and pin the next side, folding over the corner at a right angle, and pin into place. You can miter the corners, but is for another article.
Stitch all the way around the square of cloth, using a medium-sized stitch, or even a machine basting stitch. Small stitches will cause the fabric to pucker, especially after being washed. This photo shows the under side of the finished napkin.
Stitch all the way around the square of cloth, using a medium-sized stitch, or even a machine basting stitch. Small stitches will cause the fabric to pucker, especially after being washed. This photo shows the under side of the finished napkin.
This photo is of the right side of the finished napkin.
This photo is of the right side of the finished napkin.
Gingher Dressmaker's Fabric Scissors - 8" Stainless Steel Shears - Sharp Knife Edge Fabric Scissors with Protective Sheath
Gingher Dressmaker's Fabric Scissors - 8" Stainless Steel Shears - Sharp Knife Edge Fabric Scissors with Protective Sheath
I do use rotary cutters, but sometimes only scissors will do. I have these scissors, and really enjoy using them. They are very sharp, and hold the edge very well. I have used many different brands and types of scissors, but I like these the best.
 

Cascade-Style Valance Using Plaid Fabric as Lining

Cascade-Style Valance Using Plaid Fabric as Lining
Cascade-Style Valance Using Plaid Fabric as Lining | Source

A Word About Re-using Cloth Napkins

Keep in mind that any food or grease on the napkins will grow bacteria and viruses, so do not use them multiple times before washing them. If you have a cold or other infection, use them only once, then launder them.

Colonies of Bacteria Multiply Faster than Rabbits

Source

Here's That Plaid Tablecloth I Turned Into a Drapery Valance

I love finding new uses for old things. The plaid part of this valance was once a rectangular tablecloth for our patio table.
I love finding new uses for old things. The plaid part of this valance was once a rectangular tablecloth for our patio table. | Source

Cloth Napkin Survey

Do you use cloth napkins at most meals?

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 MariaMontgomery

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