Making cloth napkins for your home adds an extra bit of style and elegance to any table setting. With a few simple materials and a little bit of know-how, anyone can make their own unique cloth napkins. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your dining room or just want to show off your crafting skills, follow this guide to learn how to make a stylish cloth napkin!
Today I wanted to show you how to make your own napkins! I know there have been many times when I haven’t been able to find just the right color napkin to go with a particular tablescape, so I decided to try making my own and it’s really pretty easy! And, I wanted to show you how I created the bird’s nest napkin fold that was shared in my Spring tablescape. If you missed that post, you can see all the details HERE.
Why use boring paper napkins when you can get some of any fabric that you want to use and make your own DIY cloth napkins? This is a great way to make custom napkins that can match any decor theme you have going on. Making your own napkins is a great way to reduce paper waste and a fun way to make easy to wash, reusable napkins.
Additionally, you can also make your own reusable paper towels to use for everyday use rather than buying endless supplies of paper products. Just make bigger paper towel sheets than these make your own cloth napkins! Clean in the washer and dryer and they’ll be ready to go again.
How to Make your Own Cloth Napkins
Step 1.
Cut your fabric into a 22″ square. I like to use a template made from cardboard or mat board and then I trace around it on my pressed fabric. Once your fabric is cut, use your iron to press a 1/2 inch fold on all four sides of your fabric square.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Now, open each second (1 inch) fold.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Step 9.
Step 10.
You can use these to dress up any dinner table when you make them from beautiful fabrics since they will become reusable cloth napkins.
Bird’s Nest Napkin Fold
Step 1.
Fold your napkin in half on the diagonal.
Step 2.
Roll the folded napkin as shown.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Repeat for the right side and place an egg in the center of your nest.
What size fabric napkins should I make?
One thing I like about this kind of project is that you can use a different sized square to make another sized square cloth napkin. If you like a smaller napkin, you can make that happen with this simple tutorial.
You can use the size I made here, which was a 22″ square on your choice of fabric. But you can also use other sizes to make DIY cloth napkins.
Try a 16-inch, 18-inch, or even a 20-inch square and see what size you prefer for your table.
What fabric should I use to make a napkin?
You can use any cloth that you prefer. Linen is a little nicer, but it is a nice quality fabric that should last many washes in the washing machine after cleaning off many messes faces or spills.
Cotton fabric is another common option to use when making square napkins for your home.
You can experiment with different fabrics and see what you prefer. If you’re an avid crafter or enjoy making your own things, you may have a nice fabric stash of leftover fabric squares that you could make an easy napkin with.
You may find yourself with a variety of fabric pieces to make a hodge podge of beautiful napkins with. Check your local fabric stores to see what they have and what may be on sale before selecting your fabric for your dinner napkins.
Feel free to iron your napkins on the ironing board once you wash them before you set them out for any special occasion or your upcoming next dinner party.
Making a friend a set of beautiful linen napkins would be a fun, easy sewing project, especially for beginners who want to make their first set of cloth napkins!
I hope you will give this simple cloth napkin tutorial a try and let me know how it goes!
Save money by ditching the disposable napkins and use this easy sewing tutorial to make your own DIY cute cloth napkins in n time!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
Two nice, clear tutorials, Doreen! Thank you for sharing both. Pinning the mitered corner napkins to my Sewing board. : )
P.S. I wanted to email you but didn't see a contact email on your blog. Could you email me? I have a question. kpassarette(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
What a darling place setting Doreen!
Shabby chic Sandy
That is just the sweetest place setting–I love it!
Anonymous
Wonderful tutorial – on my to do list for today – absolutely gorgeous place setting
Joe and Lucy
This is how I make my napkins and tablecloths. Thank you for reminding me of the pile of fabric that I have designated for that purpose! 🙂 Lucy
Cynthia
T his is t he cutest thing I've seen. What a creative idea, love it, pinned!!!
Cynthia
[email protected] Charm
Doreen,
These are super cute! Love the idea you had here and thank you for sharing at my party. It's always nice to have you party with us at NTT.
Blessings,
Linda