Handmade Gift: Cloth Napkins

by Jennifer Jones

If you've been to my home for a meal, a cup or tea, or needed something to wipe up with, you know I love cloth napkins. I think it began when we moved to Nashville in 2009 and I met some friends who used them, and I was struck by both the practicality and charm of them. It was an easy way for me to get a little sewing in with two little boys running around, and it was a fantastic way to be a bit more frugal in our very lean, graduate school years. 

Then I realized these made great gifts. I've given them as Christmas gifts, hostess gifts, etc., and every time there's a request for more! And they actually get *used* which is the most delightful bit for a maker! There was even a time I really got into adding some handsewn embelishment to them with some embroidery thread. Really, I've loved cloth napkins for quite a white! :) 

There are lots of ways to finish cloth napkins: pinking sheers, serged edges, or hemmed, and I've done them all. When I first began making them, my corners were....messy. And when I shared this video on IG and YouTube for mitered corners, it seemed I wasn't the only one who needed a little help here! So I thought I'd write up the directions so you'd have multiple places to find a little help.

For 4 Cloth Napkins: 

  • 1.25 yds fabric (I prefer a woven to a print for the thickness/absorbancy)
  • ruler
  • iron
  • marking pen
  • scissors/rotary cutter

1. Cut (4) 20" squares. Use one to begin and then repeat. 

2. On one edge, fold over towards the wrong side of the fabric and press 3/8". Then fold over again and press at 3/4". Use your ruler to be sure your pressed edges are accurate.

3. Repeat on remaining 3 sides.

4. On one corner, open up just to the first 3/8" fold. On the wrong side of the fabric and from the tip of the corner, mark 1.5" down on both sides. Draw a line connecting these two marks. 

5. Fold the fabric RST, matching the marks at 1.5" down from the corner. Pin in place and sew directly on the drawn line.

6. Cut 1/4" away from the sewn line and turn the corner back out, gently pushing the tip to a nice point. You've made your first mitered corner!

7. Repeat with the remaining 3 corners. Then sew on the folded hem edge all the way around the napkin, pivoting at the corners with your needle in the down position. 

8. Press and repeat with the remaining squares. 

9. If you're giving them as a gift, I like to tie them with a pretty ribbon as a set. 

And that's really it! If visuals are more your speed, you my YouTube version below! 

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