Sewing Cloth Napkins

If you like things easy care, when sewing cloth napkins, stick to cottons and cotton blends for the fabric.

With all the fun seasonal cotton prints available at your favorite fabrics store (or on-line like at Fabric.com ), you can have decorator napkins for every occaision! If you do machine embroidery, add your own decorative designs before or after sewing your new custom napkins.

NOTE: How you finish the edges will determine the size to cut your fabric.

• First, determine what size you want (cocktail napkins are usually 9-1/2 inches, dinner napkins will be either 18" or 20").
  
  
• Cut your napkin squares 1" larger (all around) than the finished size in order to give them a doubled 1/4 inch hem.
  
  
• If you plan to bind the edges, cut the napkin squares to the finished size.
  
  
• If you plan to serge the edges, cut the napkin squares 1/2 inch larger and allow the serger to cut off about 1/4 inch when serging.

If you want to get really creative, cut two pieces of contrasting or coordinating lightweight cotton fabric and sew together with wrong sides facing. Be sure to leave a small opening so you can turn the fabrics right side out. Hand stitch or edge stitch the opening closed.

Finished with sewing cloth napkins? Go back to the projects page!