Today, I'm sharing how to make a table napkin from fabric. This is a quick and easy sewing tutorial and a great project for beginner sewers. This kind of project gives you a quick win and the confidence to move on to bigger and better projects. You get to perfect your hems on these small fabric napkins so you won't be afraid to tackle the 'next big thing'.
If you love the look of these linen napkins but don't fancy making your own, take a look below for similar options to buy.
Do you remember the tutorial I did a few weeks back where I showed you how to shorten linen curtains? Well, today, I'm using the fabric remnants from that project to make these easy linen napkins.
A QUICK REMINDER: When attempting any DIY project, please take care to undertake the necessary safety precautions. You should always follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations when using any product or tool. When following my instructions for a DIY project, you are doing so at your own risk.
Materials to make a table napkin
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Cut out squares of fabric
First, I cut each length of fabric remnant into three squares measuring 17 x 17 inches or 43 x 43cm. You can make a table napkin whatever size you want. If you already have some napkins at home, you could use one as a template. That's what I did when I was making these fabric napkins. I allowed two inches extra for making the seam so the cut line was at nineteen inches.
I would advise you to wash your fabric before starting this fabric napkin sewing project. Washing will remove any shrinkage before you start. I'm using pre-washed fabric from a previous project.
Make a table napkin - seam allowance
One long edge of the fabric remnant already had a hem which I decided to use so as not to waste fabric. If the material you are using doesn't already have a hem, you can make the hem however wide you like. The hem was not mitred, so for the sake of consistency, I'm not going to mitre the rest of the hems either. I'm sure I'll be making more of these napkins at some point and when I do, I will do a tutorial on how to mitre the corners. For now, though, we are going down the easier route of making a napkin with square folded corners.
The previous hem was around three-quarters of an inch wide. I used my DIY hemming gauge to mark out the lines for the hem.
First, I folded up the fabric to the three-quarter line and ironed it along the edge to make it nice and crisp.
Next, I folded the fabric up to the two-inch line and ironed the edge flat again.
Now, all I have to do is fold up the fabric along the three quarter inch line and then again to the two-inch line. Then, I'm ironing that flat again and pinning the hem as I work my way around the fabric. You do the same thing with all of the napkins. Once all the napkin hems have been pinned, we are ready to make a table napkin so it's time to take them to the sewing machine.
Make a table napkin - sewing
If you saw my curtain hemming tutorial, you will already be familiar with my method of squaring off the corners of the seams. Basically, all I'm doing is sewing a small box or square where two seams meet. It reinforces the hems at the corners and makes them stronger. Take a look at my curtain hemming video on YouTube to see the process in more detail.
After you've sewn a square, it's just a matter of sewing down the length of the seam as close as you can to the edge of the fabric on the inner side, removing the pins as you go.
Each time you reach a corner, make the box again and carry on sewing down the length of the next seam until you've sewn all the way around and you are back at where you started.
Make a table napkin - ironing
Once you've sewn all of the hems, it's time to take the fabric napkins to the ironing board once again. Iron the seams flat and that's it, you're finished how easy was that?
As mentioned above, if you love the look of these linen napkins but don't fancy making your own, here are some similar options to buy.
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Paula@SweetPea says
I love your DIY hemming gauge. I need to make one to make it easier to iron hems to the correct width. I have some fabric in my stash that is perfect for this project! Thank you for the inspiration!
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Paula! The DIY hemming gauge makes sewing hems much easier!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a nice fabric napkin! I'm not big on sewing but can make basic things, and you make these napkins look pretty easy to make. I never would of thought making the square block in the corners. Great tip!
Jayne Westerholt says
Thank you for your lovely comment, Linda!
Karen Velinsky says
I could do this...thanks for the tutorial. I really am impressed with your DIY hemming gauge. What a neat idea; I am definitely going to make one of those.
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Karen. I love the DIY hemming gauge because I can iron over it!
Stacey says
These are so simple, gorgeous and classy. Love this idea!
Jayne Westerholt says
Thank you, Stacey!
Kimberly Snyder says
I love cloth napkins! thanks for sharing how to make them!
Jayne Westerholt says
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked the tutorial!
Carol Karl | Living a Real Life says
Wonderful tutorial. Thanks for sharing this, Jayne.
Jayne Westerholt says
thanks, Carol!
Christin says
Great tutorial! So easy to follow! Can’t wait to try it.
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks so much, Christin!
Cindy Rust says
Love Love Love that boxed corner!! It gives the napkin such a high-end look!
Jayne Westerholt says
It does, doesn't it? We used these linen napkins on a recent birthday tablescape and they looked amazing!
corine Mapes says
They look so beautiful, you made me want to make some myself. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jayne Westerholt says
thanks so much, Corine!
Janet says
I love the hemming gauge. That would make projects a lot easier. I also like your square corners. I know how to do mitered corners but these are much easier and work great for this type of project.
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Janet! The DIY sewing gauge is brilliant for making hems really straight!
Libbie Burling says
I love fabric napkins and these look easy enough for me! Beautiful job.
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Libbie! Yes, the napkins were really easy to make!
Kristin salazar says
These are just beautiful! Thank you for the tutorial!
Jayne Westerholt says
You're welcome, Kristin!
Marie says
Really great idea to customize your table. Linen napkins always look so effortless & chic.
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Marie! Yes, I agree that linen table napkins always look great!
Karins Kottage says
Great tutorial! I live linen napkins!
Karin
Jayne Westerholt says
Thanks, Karin!
Lisa says
I was interested in the tutorial for the napkins that have fringed edges that were featured in Farmhouse Style magazine - lovely 😊
Jayne Westerholt says
Hi Lisa, I don't have a tutorial for fringed napkins - did you mean the fringed placemats that I used in the tablescape? If so they are not handmade but you can find them here: (Affiliate) https://rstyle.me/+z70p7qrNjh80QKaZj1Mn9g