Do you find yourself picking up package after package of paper napkins every time you entertain? Have you ever stopped to think how much money you could save if you were to make your own cloth napkins? Have you ever stopped to think how much paper you would save? Setting your table with cloth napkins that you sew yourself is a way to have a table that is beautiful as well as economical because you can use them over and over again.

An easy way to start is to pick out a good quality cotton, one that has a soft silky hand. This way you will have a fabric that will launder easily and require little if any ironing. You can cut one yard of 45″ cotton into four equal pieces for four good sized napkins. If you have a serger and really want to save time you can simply serge around the sides. A better way and one that will hold up to many uses is to hem them with a double 1/4 inch hem. Start by folding each corner toward the center 3/4 of an inch. Then proceed to fold the sides down 1/4 inch all the way around, then again 1/4 inch. Now stitch the seam in place using a slightly longer stitch.

Once you get the hang of making your own napkins, you will want to experiment with many fabrics, colors and patterns. Unique fabrics such as microsuide or damask make beautiful linens that are machine washable and will dress up your table again and again.

Wanting to produce a beautifully dressed table but not wanting to fork out the cash? You can do it by sewing your own table linens. This way you can change the colors of your table linens to match various table settings, colors of the seasons or for special holidays.

One way to be able to change color themes on your formal tables is to start with a basic neutral tablecloth such as cream or white. Then hem a small square cloth (45″ x 45″ or 54″ x 54″ works well) in a bright colorful print of your choice to place in the center of your table. Turn the square cloth so the four points face the four sides of the table. It doesn’t matter if your table is round, square or rectangular. The bright cloth adds just the right splash of color.

Now, you can stich napkins to match, coordinate or simply go with the same neutral color of your original tablcloth. Using the simple method, you can turn your table into whatever festive theme you wish. Bon appetite!