Learn three different way on how to make linen napkins. This natural fabric is elegant and casual at the same time and will look great on your tablescape.
Do you love the look of natural linen? I like the rumpled casual feel. This year for the holidays I thought I'd make linen napkins. As you might expect, purchasing the material is a lot cheaper than buying the napkins outright, but you do have to prep the fabric, cut, and finish the edges. Today I'll show you three ways to finish your edges when making linen napkins.
How to Make Linen Napkins
For this project I purchased 100% linen from The Fabric Store. This particular fabric was a little over $10/yard. I ended up with nine napkins which was a little over 1.5 yards of fabric. I ordered 2 yards of fabric so there is some left over if I want to make a few more.
When I received the linen through the mail, it was very stiff. After running it through the washer and dryer it came out nice and soft but pretty wrinkled, with lot of threads and frayed edges.
To make the napkins you first need to trim off the excess threads and iron the fabric. Then cut it to your desired size. Standard napkins are 18 inches square, so that's what I used here. Since the fabric I purchased was 58 inches wide I was able to cut three napkins per width. Then all you have to do is finish the edges. Actually, you really don't have to finish the edges, but if you do, here are three ways to accomplish this task.
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3 Techniques
Topstitch
The first technique is done by folding over 1/4 inch of the edge and then folding it over again so that the raw edge does not show. You may want to use an iron to press the hem first. Then sew a top-stitch around all four sides. This looks really nice from the top but not as nice underneath. (see image above)
Pinking
The second, and easiest technique, is using pinking shears to finish the edges. I'm not sure how these will launder but they are a great way to achieve a finished edge if you are short on time.
Serge/Overcasting
The third technique is a serge or overcast stitch. This is a special setting on the sewing machine. It requires a good deal of thread and requires a little patience to run through all four sides, but I think it looks the best. You may want to use a thread that is close to the same color as the fabric so that the stitching blends in well. I used a lighter thread so you can easily see the stitches in this article.
The best part of this linen fabric is that it looks great in all kinds of settings.
A causal party, or an elegant dinner, either setting looks great with natural linen.
Use the napkins to line bread baskets, trays, or place mats in a pinch.
All 3 finishing techniques work well on this beautiful linen fabric. You can also use the same techniques on a variety of other fabric, especially cottons and cotton blends which, like linen, have enough weight to make them easy to work with, and at $3 a piece they may be worth the effort.
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Cat Crow
Hi! What weight is the linen fabric? Would this work with a lightweight linen (5.6 oz. per square yard)? I'm eyeing this Fabric: https://www.fabric.com/buy/0445786/kaufman-essex-yarn-dyed-linen-blend-malibu
Patti Estep
Cat, I don't see why that weight wouldn't work. Just about any fabric should work for napkins.
Theresa
Good linen napkins are expensive. This is a great! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared
Nancy
I love linen...somewhat addicted you might say.
I've been making things out of linen...like tablecloths. My favorite edge is the totally rustic one...just a stay stitch (straight) and let is fray a bit over time....
My favorite thing about linen....is that it seems to wash out better than cotton. Have you noticed that? Yes, eventually there may be stains that show....but I've purchased cotton napkins that stained first time out. Besides the fact that linen gets softer and softer.
Yup .....linen all the way...
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Patti Estep
Hi Nancy,
I love your stay stitch idea and will have to try it. I agree linen is just one of those special things that are so nice to have.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Jemma
Nicely done and a very needed tutorial. I had no idea that I could make my own linen napkins.
There is nothing quite as lovely as quality linens at a dining table.
Pinned!
Patti Estep
Hi Jemma,
We often entertain with family which is really too large (in the 20+ range) to expect linen napkins. However, once we will have a nice dinner for just a few and the linen napkins are a nice touch. Also, I find myself using them for lining baskets and even food shoot props so the do get used.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Susan M.
I really like the serge/overcasting way you finished some of those napkins. Sewing really isnt my favorirpte activity, but this would be a worthwhile project. Quick, easy and inexpensive! Thanks for these easy to follow napkin ideas!
Patti Estep
Hi Susan,
I like making easy projects with fabric but I don't always have the patience for sewing and am by no means a good seamstress, so you can rest assured that if I post about it anyone can do it.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Carole @ Garden Up Green
Very nice project Patti and I love those colors and those stitching options. Linen napkins are the best! All of our holiday and fancy dinners were served with them. Then when we went to grandma's house that was all she used for nice and everyday. There were the fancy linens and then the everyday ones. Here's something she also did, she would take old table clothes that may have had a stain or worn space and turn it into napkins by just using the nice pieces of material. I still have some of these and then sometimes she would crochet around the edges. Everything matched, she and my mom took such pride in setting a nice table as I bet you do too. She hand washed her linens too because she didn't want the machine to ruin them. When I think about it all the lessons I was taught growing up are simply endless and most of it was just a way of life not really a lesson. Enjoy a beautiful Sunday!!
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
What a great story. You were so lucky to have such a fabulous grandmother and mother. I'm sure they are very proud of you. I love your idea of re-purposing stained tablecloths. In fact, it just gave me an idea for something I'm doing in January.
Thanks for stopping by friend.
Enjoy your weekend!
Patti