Cloth Napkins

Single Layer Fabric Napkins Hemmed
 
Make sure your fabric looks the same on both sides. Gingham is a good example. This is not necessary, but does make prettier napkins.
1. Wash and dry your fabric.
2. Iron is needed.
3. At each cut edge of fabric, go down from the edge approx. ½ “, and make a snip into the fabric approx. ½” to 1″. Now you are going to rip it clear to the other side. This puts fabric straight on the grain, and allows your napkins to always lay flat.
4. Make a square template out of cardboard or poster board the size you want your napkins to be, plus ½” wider on each side. 16″ napkins cut 17″.
5. Go to your iron and press all side in ¼”.
6. Next press in all sides again ¼”. When you reach a corner, it is easier to mitre, but you can just fold over again if it is easier for you. This gives your hem no exposed edges by making a double fold.
7. Return to your machine and sew a straight line of stitching right down the middle of your hem and when you reach a corner, leave your needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot, turn the napkin and sew the next side until you reach your starting point. Backstitch and you are done. If you don’t have a machine, your hem can just as easily be put in by hand. I must also add, if you are lucky enough to have a serger, this would work so easily.
Your single ply napkins might also be hemmed in another way. You can purchase bias tape and sew around the edges, or perhaps even make your own by cutting your strips on the bias. Single ply napkins are the cheapest way to make your own, as you can get more out of your yardage, but my stitching is not always perfect, so they don’t always show as well.

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