Making Napkins
 

We are going green this year and I have decided to make my own cloth napkins for everyday use. What is the best fabric to use that is durable and easy to care for...and does anyone have a good pattern? I realize it's only a square but how would you finish them off?Thanks!!! MA

Don't know the answer but..........how many would you be making? Clean ones every meal, everyday? Laundering, I would think would cancel out the " green" I think paper napkins are made from recycled something, and when returned to recycling bin are again " recycled" into something?...JMHO

I made a set that are 13" square, and finished them with a rolled hem on my serger. The fabric is 2 layers of 100% cotton, and they seem to wear pretty well.

You could also cut your squares and sew them right sides together. Then turn them and top-stitch.

Makes me wonder what those heavier restaurant napkins are made out of. Those just have a narrow hem all the way around.

Good for you, for going green!

I make mine 16" square. I use regular cotton fabric, usually a print which helps disguise stains. I just use a single thickness with a simple rolled hem so there are no raw edges to unravel.

My DDIL requested pretty Christmas Napkins which will not be used everyday. I sewed 2 squares 18 inches together, turned them and stop stitched. She wanted the backs and fronts in different fabrics and since I aim to please that's what I did. The quilting cotton I used will need to be pressed when laundered. She was pleased with them.

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If you belong to Sam's club, they have poly/cotton blend napkins for 8 or 9 dollars a dozen, so less than $1 each. for that amount of money, I wouldn't make them myself. They actually are pretty nice, hemmed not serged. I always have a dozen or so on hand so if I need a quick gift, I just embroider an initial or small motif in the corner. I also use them and they wash up nicely.

I have some poly-cotton for everyday and they are not very absorbent/useful. We much prefer our heavy linen/cotton ones (white). So I would go for a natural fabric. I did have a pattern saved, but can't locate it just now. If it turns up I will post a link.

I've made napkins from both a poly-cotton blend, and pure cotton. For sure, I much prefer the 100% cotton napkins--they feel much nicer to the touch, and they are absorbent, whereas the poly-cotton ones are not absorbent. Some of my napkins are over 20 years old, and they are very dear to me, stains and all. I also prefer double sided napkins that are made from two fabrics, but that is just a personal preference. Have fun with them. Don't agonize over the decision--just make them and enjoy them. They don't even need ironing unless you are having a dinner party; and sometimes, even then, they don't need ironing--just depends on who the guests are. :)

I found this tutorial on a blog on how to make nice mitered corners on napkins. She also talks about linen fabric in her post.

http://www.nicoleathome.com/2013/05/...-two-ways.html

Antique and resale shops always have stacks of linen table napkins for sale.........or linen tableclothes to cut into napkins.......