Projects

Super Simple Cloth Napkins

Created By:

Meredith Daniel

Skill Level: Beginner

This has long been a go-to project for me, but I have neglected to put it into a project post because of the simplicity of it. But in the season of life in which I find myself, I  long for beauty in simplicity. Plus every sewist needs a palette cleansing, instant gratification project, and I think my Super Simple Cloth Napkins are the epitome of that. I hope you will enjoy this project, and more than that, I hope you are able to appreciate that you can bring beautiful utility pieces into your home without much effort!

Janome Supplies Required

8002D serger (optional)

Continental M7

Feet used: walking foot

Fabric and Notions Required

   1 yard fabric

   Coordinating thread

   Basic tools like cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, and iron

Instructions

Project Time – Beginner, 30 minutes for set of 4

All seam allowances are 1/4”

 Cut 4 18” squares from your yard of fabric. 

 

You have three options for marking the hem. You can serge the four sides like I did, you can sew a 1/4” seam around the four sides, or you can mark the back side with a marking tool 1/2” from each edge. I chose to serge with my Janome 8002D, which is strictly preference. Just choose whatever works for you.

 

 

Now you are going to use the stitching or the marks you made as a guide to fold and press. Press each side in by 1/4”, and then go back around again, folding in another 1/4” which will enclose the serged or raw edge of the fabric. I like to iron only one at a time before moving back to the machine, but you can do all four if that suits you.

 

 

 

You can either use the standard A foot, a 1/4” foot, or the walking foot, but lengthen your stitch to 3.0, and then stitch all the way around the napkin with a scant 1/4” seam allowance. To pivot at the corners, simply stop 1/4” before you reach the edge, and with the needle down, lift the presser foot and pivot the napkin. Lower the presser foot and continue sewing. Overlap your beginning stitches by about 5 stitches and you are done!

 

  

 

 

I told you it was easy peasy! I love using Rifle Paper Co fabric to make mine. I have already had about 12 in rotation, but adding these four that coordinate gives me more variety for my table!

 

 

I’ve shown you here how to create the very simple skeleton, if you will. But you can do so very much to customize these. If you have a machine that embroiders, like the Skyline S9, you can add your family name, tidings like “Happy Easter” or “Merry Christmas”, or a beautiful motif like a bouquet of flowers. You could also use a contrasting fabric to bind the edges rather than hemming. These would make a lovely addition to a gift for a bride or hostess too!

Everyone is Talking about Super Simple Cloth Napkins
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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