Today, we are going to start our first small sewing project! We are going to learn how to make a cloth napkin (which means we’re going to practice making corners)! This is actually something I did in my first sewing lesson and it was much easier than I thought!!! The materials you will need for this project:
- cloth:a couple of yards would be fine-the amount depends on how many napkins you plan on making; cloth napkins can differ in size, measure out a scrap piece of fabric if you need to visually see how large or small you would like your napkins to be. Use some good ol’ multiplication/addition to figure out how much fabric you need to purchase. I sometimes like for my napkins to have different patterns on both sides, so purchase different patterned fabric if you would like! If you have some scrap fabric to practice on, great. I have found some really cute patterned fabric here.
- coordinating thread
I am going to make some napkins for Easter (I love decorating my table for whatever holiday is coming up)! I want my napkins to be around 12” x 12”. I also like to have 6-8 napkins in a set. I will probably purchase 1.5 to 2 yards of fabric so that I can make around 8 napkins and also have leftover fabric in case I decide to make additional napkins later.
We will begin our project by cutting our fabric. For each napkin, make sure you cut two pieces for the front and the back (I will cut both of mine 12” x 12”). Use your fabric scissors and cut as carefully and evenly as you can.
If need be, iron each piece prior to sewing to smooth out major wrinkles.
Now we have to pin our pieces together before sewing. Make sure the heads of your needles are toward the middle of your napkin, not the outside edge. Start by putting the right sides together (making your project look inside out). I begin by pinning mine in the middle and put a few pins on each side to hold it into place.
Begin in the middle of one of your sides. Don’t forget to put down your presser foot! Begin by stitching a few stitches, and then DON’T FORGET TO BACKSTITCH! Sew the rest of that side until you reach your first corner. When you get as close as you feel comfortable with, stop sewing but make sure your needle is in the cloth (if the needle stops and is not in the cloth, simply roll the balance wheel on the side). Lift up your presser foot and turn ninety degrees and put the presser foot back down. Continue sewing down the next side in as straight a line as you can. Use the lines beside the needle to help guide you. Continue doing this with all of the remaining corners.
Leave a few inches of space from your first stitch because you will need to turn your napkin right side out. After you have reached a few inches from the beginning stitch and have turned your napkin right side out, carefully hand stitch the remaining area. Iron out your napkin and you are finished!!!!!