Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Fall Cloth Napkins

Hello everyone! Thank you for your comments on my easy entertaining post. To answer a few questions, I got the tablecloth at a yard sale many years ago, the leaf napkin rings from the Target $1.00 section last year, and I wish I grew those hydrangeas in my own garden. Maybe someday!

Autumn gift
Last month my sewing machine was cooperating with me and I was able to work on some sewing projects. It was made in the 1940's and I actually call it "The Beast." I have put in an early request to Santa for a new machine. :0)

Napkins
Anyways, if you have never sewed napkins, they are very quick and easy.

Napkins

Fabric
Here are some common napkin sizes:
Dinner: 18" or 22"
Luncheon or tea: 12" or 14"

Napkin
Iron over the edges.


Napkin
And sew 1/4" from the edges.

Autumn dinner

Autumn napkin ring

Napkin gift bundle
They make great gifts, too!

Autumn gift
Thank you for taking a look!

55 comments:

Everydaythings said...

youre a brilliant homemaker Kelli! those napkins are gorgeous.

T said...

What kind of fabric do you recommend? Do you leave the edge raw after sewing? Thanks

Tammy said...

Beautiful!
And I loved seeing your entertaining post below too! :)

Georgia Girl said...

I may be asking a dumb question but how many yards would I buy for 8 napkins and how wide is the material? I am new to sewing if you can't tell.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Kellie, Great napkin idea! ...and I LOVE the plate! It is beautiful! ~Rhonda :)

Suzann said...

Super idea! Beautiful displays too.

Arlene G said...

My mother in law used to make me napkins for all occassions. She is in her 80s now and does not sew much anymore. Some of hers were just raveled at the end....I still use them today. In the new age of GREEN..cloth napkins are very hip!

cryssi said...

very pretty!

Crystal

Mrs. Stam said...

Wow love those napkins!!!!! Love the color and the pattern!

Stacey said...

Perfect. You are always so busy. I need to step it up here. :)

Terri said...

The napkins are beautiful!

Tina Leigh said...

The Beast as in the movie Sandlot....that had to be where you got that name! lol....I would use my sleeve cause those are way to pretty!! lol

Judy said...

Oh how pretty. Our Thanksgiving this year will be a small one. It would be nice to make napkins for each place setting.
:) Judy

Anonymous said...

Very pretty...the photos and the napkins.

Julie said...

Looks great, as always, Kelli. I have made bandanas like that, too. We used them for girl's camp. Worked out well. Have a great day. Julie

* said...

everything looks so lovely.
teresa

Rean Day said...

Kelli,

I have so enjoyed your blog over the past year. I have a question. How do you get your pictures so warm looking? I am sure it has to do with how inviting and warm you home is, but maybe lighting too?

Do you have any tips or tricks for photographing for a blog? I am looking to start a new blog and I want to have the same warmth you have on yours.

Thanks so much for all you do and share with us wonderful ladies.

Rean Day

Heather said...

cute napkins. i really love the plate it's on!

Katie said...

Hi, Kelli! I, too, have put in a Dear Santa request for a new sewing machine! But also for a stand mixer, so... ;o) Kelli, let me tell you, I made your baked ziti last night, and it...was...fabulous! I loved it! So did my husband. Mmmmm!

Becky said...

I love your napkins. They look so simple to make. I always enjoy your close up pictures too! Thank you for sharing such great ideas with us!

Anonymous said...

What a great gift idea, I never thought of that.

Linda C said...

Your napkins are pretty!
I have been thinking of making napkins for Thanksgiving and was planning to "google" for the size info today. Good timing!! Thanks:)
I made placemats for a gift many years ago from a pattern. I might try that again also.

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful table settings. I tend to make my nakins lined as I hate turning those corners for hems. I love the napkin rings.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Kelli! Loved your post today, as always. I was reading the comment from "rean day" and I had planned to comment on your beautiful photography, too. I have been reading some of your first posts from 2006. They were wonderful but your pictures and style have become even more wonderful. Thanks for sharing! Have a great Wednesday. Debbi

Amanda said...

Maybe some day I'll have time to clean my house and decorate it. Then I can come back to your blog and go through all of your tutorials! :)

Charity said...

Cute! I have fabric for some fall napkins, but it might be time for Christmas before I get them done! Oh, well! :)

Christy Lee said...

I have never sewed before and am currently looking for a sewing machine...I am so excited that you have such nice tutorials to make really neat things on your blog! Thank you for sharing.

GranthamLynn said...

Oh Kelli, I love the fall napkins and the great tutorial you did.
I will send you an email. I use clothe napkins too. I guess it is the green way to go. I just think their prettier and frugal!
btw I don't have internet anymore so if you miss me that is why. Until next time.
Lots of Hugs.
Love,
Sherry

Pink Slippers said...

I think the napkins are lovely and even your plate you have them displayed on. Thety are easy to make just like baby blankets. I'm a baby blanket maker. :).
Wendy

Ms. Tee said...

Those are such pretty napkins, Kelli - I love the fabric! :)

YayaOrchid said...

Love your napkins, Kelli! Oh! And I absolutely LOVE your dinner plate pattern! You sure do know how to set a lovely table.

TJ said...

Your napkins are beautiful! I love the napkin holders too. What a wonderful way to make guests feel welcome!

Michelle said...

Hi Kelli,

Another beautiful craft you've made! I love your napkins..and the material. So fall-like. I love that little white pumpkin. :)

Michelle

Heather Anne said...

I love cloth napkins - especially if they are double sided! They are an awesome gift idea and so fun to make! I like to sew two colors right sides together, leaving an opening to turn right sides out before pressing and running a nice top-stitch around the edges! No raw edges and versatile since they have two looks in one napkin!

P.S. Perhaps Phillip can check out new sewing machines through AllBrands.com - I love their prices and their service is quite good. I prefer shopping locally when I can, but saving $$$ on a sewing machine was a real blessing to us after mine got dropped in our last move. I am a huge Janome fan, but have been really happy with my Brother too!

Susie Homemaker said...

Okay, so now everyone is getting napkins...love the sachet idea to go with it too...you're the best!

Warm Wishes,
Susie

Anonymous said...

Very pretty Kelli! We've gone to using cloth napkins at home. I've made a few using some tablecloths that I couldn't use anymore.

Manuela

Nancy M. said...

You have so many nice ideas! Thank you for sharing them as I add many of them to my home! -Nancy

The Berry's Patch said...

Great tutorial on the napkins. I might make these if I get a chance. I'm still working on the aprons that you posted about. :-)

GlorV1 said...

Kelli, you never cease to amaze me. I love those napkins and I definitely am making some for the holidays and maybe even for gifts. You are saving me a lot of money. Thanks again for a wonderful post.
gloria.

Leslie Rubio said...

I enjoyed reading your blog-so warm and inviting. I'll have to visit again and check out some of your older posts.

Thanks for sharing!

Leslie
www.leslielovinlife.blogspot.com

Kelli said...

Thank you for your comments! I got the fabric at Walmart. Tami, I recommend cotton and I usually leave the edges raw, but you would also cut the fabric with pinking shears before folding over, or you could fold over the seam twice.

Rean, for pictures, I try to use as much natural light as possible. Sometimes I even take things outside! I also have a macro setting on my camera, which I use most of the time for the close up shots. Hope this helps!

~Kelli

Christine said...

These are so sweet and what a great idea for all the different Holidays!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Very pretty!

Lady Katherine said...

love the napkins, I need more, I want someone to take me to fabric store, I might try and make more since my family went from 4 to 10 in the last few years of working on the road with the aviation company,and gone 10 months out of year. Home a day here or a week here and there. Then my illness. I am sort of over doing, Should I not post S&H one day. I will be in hospital, so I am trying this week to do some things. I love your card. If you decide to let go some of your fab doiles, let me know!

nancy said...

thank you, Kelly. these do look easy and they are really pretty.
Nancy

ROXY said...

Oh what a great idea!! I think I have some scrap fabric and I may have to try this out!!

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Sweet idea, Kelli, I never knew making napkins could be so easy. Everything looks great!

Happy@Home said...

Sew pretty!! Love all of your photos.

In honor of your fall decorating I have an award for you. Please stop by for a visit.

~Kim

Lady Farmer said...

Kelli~
You never cease to amaze me! You are a neverending scorce of good ideas. I was wondering what to make for a gift for a friend who always has us over for Thanksgiving. Now I know!
Thanks,
LF

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.. I love the teacup.

American Homemaker said...

I love the dollar section at Target :)

Rose of Sharon said...

What beautiful napkins. Your place settings are beautiful!

:0) Sharon

Mrs. U said...

I am SO into cloth napkins right now! I can't sew a thing, but FINALLY convinced myself to sew some napkins last week! I am SO excited about them! I told my husband that I just may give cloth napkins to everyone this year! LOL!!

His,
Mrs. U

Anonymous said...

Oh,lovely. I appreciate that you left the back unlined and the edges raw. That makes it do-able for me.

Kerri said...

Kelli,
I think I could make these! It looks like just straight sewing.:)
Thank you for sharing :0
Love Kerri