I began sewing cotton napkins 3+ years ago, and I have tried 6 sizes, single ply and double ply. I have settled on the size and procedure below, and the new size will replace the existing smaller napkins. It will take a while, but a stack of 10-12 same size napkins will replace the mismatched stack I have now.
Why sew cotton napkins? Braggin’ rights is high on the list. I may have the only USMC/snake napkin in the Southeast, or larger area. Personal style is paramount. My style choice is eclectic: my table runner has a bright red, yellow, and green floral motif, and the reverse side is a red, white, and blue Hawaiian island motif with water, islands, palm trees and Santa, in a Hawaiian shirt and board shorts, surfing. Suitable for Christmas and The Fourth of July. I can sew napkins and placemats to compliment, contrast, or conflict. The primary reason is it is ecologically sound. I have not purchased paper napkins in 3+ years.
USMC/Snakes reversible cotton napkin
The napkin begins as 2 cotton rectangles, 12″ X 18″ and finishes 11″ X 17″. There is a good hand and heft. It feels good against the mush. Any 2 cotton fabrics may be used.
- Step 1. Prep fabric. Wash cold no bleach. Iron if needed. Do not skip this step.
- Step 2. Cut 2 rectangles 12″X18″. Fabrics was be same or different.
- Step 3. Place fabrics RS to RS. Pin around, 2 pins ach edge, 2 in middle.
- Step 4. Sew around, 1 cm edge, leaving 3″ish opening.
- Step 5. Thru opening, turn RS out.
- Step 5a. Clip corners. Poke corners with chopstick.
- Step 6. Manipulate fabrics’ edges so only 1 fabric is visible from either side. Take care to even opening.
- Step 7. If using, insert care tag.
- Step 8. Edge stitch/top stitch around 1/8″.
- Step 9. Iron if needed.
Caution. When pinning fabrics together, smooth the fabrics from the center. As sewing around, insure the 2 fabric layers have no puckers and are aligned from the center to the edges, Taking care here will allow the finished napkin to be iron and folded without wrinkles.
