SUPPLIES
- 1-2 metres of linen or linen blend fabric* ( used 1.3 metres to make 9 napkins)
- Hem gauge*
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing tools
- Sewing machine
You can choose any linen or linen blend fabric to make a fabric napkin. I do think fabric with a grid, plaid, or stripes makes it a lot easier to cut out and hem because you can use the lines as a guide. You can also use solid for a simple look.
Fabric napkins range in size from 16 inch by 16 inch to 20 inch by 20 inch depending on the meal and how formal it is. I chose to cut my napkins 18 inch by 18 inch for a nice middle size. They get slightly smaller because of the hem, but it’s not that noticable.
Start by cutting your fabric in large strips. My strips are 18 inches tall by the width of the fabric because I’m making 18 inch napkins.
Press all edges in at 1/4 inch and the fold it again at 1/4 inch. I found it a little easier to press a 1/2 inch fold first and then folding the fabric edge into the fold to create a 1/4 inch double fold hem.
Fold the corners in 1/4 inch and press. At the corner there will be several fold lines all crossing each other.
The corner should be folded first and then the hems on each side.
Press all the hems in place. This will create a nice corner with no bulk and a nice point.
Sew the hem in place right next to the inner fold going completely around the fabric napkin. This is the quickest part since you can just zip around each napkin.
