Do-it-yourself cloth napkins.
Thanks to my good friend "Y," I learned the basics of a sewing machine and also borrowed her machine to sew about 50-ish cocktail sized cloth napkins in different colors to use for both my Diaper Parties and at home. (A note about "Y," she is truly amazing. I met her when she was just a beginning ASL student and now she graduated from her local interpreting program last year and works at two colleges as an interpreter. She also interpreted for RaeRae's birth--stayed all three days---truly an amazing friend and I'm forever grateful).
I always wanted to have some cute cloth napkins to use at home because I was tired of buying the paper napkins often, even it was for cheap at the Dollar Tree store. I had found some large white cloth napkins at Target but I wanted something smaller and that matched our kitchen theme. For my Diaper Parties, I thought I would offer to bring a set to use at each party because we were already focused on the theme of growing green through the use of cloth diapers. The napkins could be rewashed without a problem!
1. Fabric Store visit
The process of D.I.Y. cloth napkins began with a trip to a local fabric and craft store called Jo-Ann. It is similar to Michael's but I liked Jo-Ann much better because it was bigger and had more options (or at least the location I went to). When I walked into the fabric selection of the store, I was amazed with the hundreds (probably thousands) of options of fabric to choose from. So many colors, prints, and also different blends of material. I focused on getting 100 percent cotton because I knew that's what I wanted and thought it would be more absorbent than a polyester blend. For colors, I picked out three different prints in red, black, and white (our kitchen colors). I got one yard of each fabric on recommendation from my friend.
2. Measuring and cutting each napkin
After washing the fabric, I got them all ready to be cut through ironing them and laying them flat. I had my materials ready: scissors, measuring tape (from sewing kit), and a little bag meant for disposing extra thread and pieces of fabric so it doesn't get all over the place.
For cocktail-sized napkins, I measured squares of fabric 6" by 6" so it would give an almost 5" by 5" napkin, but I wasn't too strict on the measurements as long as they pretty much looked the same in size. It was my first time so I knew it wouldn't be perfect in size. I wanted the napkins to be double-layer though so I would have two sides. Instead of cutting two individual squares (one for each side of napkin), I cut one long piece that could be folded in half.
3. Preparing each napkin
After the cutting was done, I prepared each napkin for the sewing machine by using needles to hold them in place. These needles would be taken out as I sewed along the sides. I sewed the squares inside out (like in the picture) and left one side open so I could open it inside out after sewing three sides.
4. Sewing machine time!
I'm not going to explain how to use a sewing machine here, but this part was fun! Click-clack fast on the track! It took some practice to get the right speed and keep the thread straight on the fabric. But I got better at it with each napkin I finished.
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| Sewed inside out on 3 sides |
For the last side, I folded the edges inside so the frayed part didn't stick out then sewed along all four edges again so it looked nice and was sealed.
6. Finished product!
I have several of these following beautiful colors! I love them! I think they turned out great. We have an extra wetbag to use in our kitchen to put used napkins and wash when they are done! I like how they are small enough for simple use and the colors too.
I had much fun and thank you to my friend "Y" for helping me learn how to use the sewing machine and having patience with me during the lessons. =)
