Since we eliminated paper napkins, I've had fun making a few cloth napkins. By using white dinner plates, I can add just about any color of napkin or pattern that catches my eye, including mismatched napkins! Just keep a color theme and you can go wild!
Patterns and batiks are best because they hide stains; be sure to stain treat them right away if they are very soiled or oil based foods get on them. I just add these to whatever load of laundry is going in the wash so they don't pile up and the stains don't get so set. When we have something really messy, like bbq ribs or chicken, I keep some paper towels on hand to use instead, but otherwise, we use these every day.
Ironing isn't always necessary depending on the fabric and if you pull them out of the dryer quickly or hang them nicely on the line. But when they do need ironing, it's perfect for my youngest to practice her ironing skills.
I have a basic napkin tutorial if you'd like to make some of your own. And my daughters are wanting some that are reversible with ric-rac trim, so hopefully I'll get to those soon and post them as well.
I really have a thing about the dinner table being a lovely and inviting place for the family; a place where everyone wants to be each evening and linger in conversation, games, or family devotions. Little touches like cloth napkins just add an extra bit of ambiance that says LOVE.
We've been using cloth napkins here for about a year now and we LOVE them! I used homespun fabrics. They come clean really easily and I LOVE looking at the basket of them on my dining room table. :) Yours look lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of napkin colors - they would go perfect in my kitchen and dining room :-) It really does make meals feel special to use cloth napkins. I've picked up white hand or dish towels from thrift shops and we use those for bbq and other really messy stuff, and use bleach on them. Not all the stains come out, but they are only used for those meals.
ReplyDeletePatty
I have been using cloth napkins for years. I'm always on the look out for some, and have yet to try sewing napkins. I'll have to look at your info. I like yours too!
ReplyDeleteThose napkins would be welcome at any table..love the colors. I pick up linen napkins whenever I see them at thrift shops or tag sales and have quite a nice stash, but nothing to compare to your beauties.
ReplyDeleteI like your choice of colors for napkin, they make for a beautiful table setting.
ReplyDelete~~HUGS~~
Loving the fresh color of your napkins! I agree that the table where we break bread together should be inviting and lovely, a small sanctuary where we gather for fellowship each day. Thanks for the tutorial link!
ReplyDeleteI love fresh ironed napkins. They dress up any table!
ReplyDeleteI'm giving you the Versatile blogger award! I Love your blog and reading what you have to say or show us next. You are truly a inspiration to follow.
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I ran out of paper napkins a few months ago and have been using cloth. I pick them up at the thrift store when I find a pretty, stain free set for inexpensive. The first time I set them out on the table everyone thought we were being so fancy! lol
ReplyDeleteYour napkins are lovely and I agree that a nice table lends to fellowship..
ReplyDeleteCloth ones seem to add an extra touch as well as being frugal...
Blessings..
I will have to give this a try. I am not much of a sewer.
ReplyDeleteWe have used cloth napkins for many years. I show my DDIL some when we were out shopping together. For Christmas that year, she gave me a basket filled with the napkins.
Thanks to you we gave up paper napkins several months ago and I've cut way back on our paper towel use. I'd love to hear or see pictures of the other ways you add little touches to your table.
ReplyDeleteI recently started reading your blog. I enjoy it very much. I recently bought some material. I think I will use it and try to make my family some cloth napkins. Yours are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your link back to your how-to post, I'm definitely going to have to make some that way, great step-by-step for beginning sew-ers like myself :)
ReplyDeleteYour green napkin patterns are so pretty!
Oh I love cloth napkins and these are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super great idea. Think I'll give this a try. My family will think "WOW...is mom ok?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing..
shug
Thank you Amy!
ReplyDeleteI thought about sewing new napkins for our family today actually :-)
I love, love, love fabric napkings!
Your napkins are very pretty. We gave up paper napkins a while back, I have not missed them at all. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'm going to get up enough nerve to try and make some! I read your tutorial awhile back and it does sound simple but I'm a novice when it comes to sewing! One day *smile*! And I agree, the table should be very inviting so that families will linger at the table and have some family time! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love cloth napkins! I bought mine in a large lot off eBay from an estate auction....some of them are even hand embroidered. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial-helpful!
ReplyDeleteI've serged some, but I also like this more finished look that you showed.
Every penny saved helps with giving up paper ones :)
I've ben using homemade cotton napkins for years now. My daughter made on her Serger for me for Christmas one year and I don't use paper napkins anymore. It still is a very useful gift. JB
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE the colors you have chosen for your napkins!!! Beautiful material!! :)
ReplyDeleteHello friend!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to incorporate cloth for a while. I have one set that my then 12 year old made, and need to expand. I'm loving the idea of a lovely table, but after continual breaking of plates, bowls, etc, I'm chicken to go back. Could use a bit of beauty though...
Blessings,Kathy
Kathy, I'm thinking a bunch of mismatched plates from the thrift store would be darling! (I love a mismatched look). Or thrift store white plates and mismatched napkins from various sources. I often pick up even one on clearance that I see that I really like and add it to the pile.
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