Fabric cocktail napkins that are insanely easy and chic.
I really love the square shape of paper cocktail napkins for parties, etc. But the cloth ones seem to be a bit harder to find. So, we DIYed our own set in my fave color combo at the moment and added a few extra details (fringe and embroidered designs) to make them a bit more special.
Click through to see how a simple piece of linen turned into these reusable, washable cocktail napkins for any occasion, including everyday.
Materials
- linen fabric (less than a yard)
- embroidery floss and needle (if desired)
- sewing machine
How to Make Fabric Cocktail Napkins
1. Measure, cut, and pin.
Start by measuring 5 inch squares on linen and mark before cutting. You’ll need two squares per cocktail napkin. Pin the two squares together, so they line up perfectly all the way around.
2. Sew.
Start a half inch in from the napkin’s edge and sew straight lines on all four sides, forming a square. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
3. Fringe the edges.
Remove from sewing machine and trim excess thread. Then fringe the edges all the way around on both sides of the napkin by pulling threads one at a time from the weave of the fabric (as shown in photo).
4. Add final touches, like embroidery.
Once finished, hand embroider with any design or phrase if desired. And they’re ready to use.
Sewing Emma Spear // Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
Are you a fan of reusable napkins like these? What about the fringe? Heck yes or hell no?
12 comments | Click here to reply
I do a lot of these with the fringe, I dont bother with the sewing. Then I iron on different photos – if it is a birthday, photos of the birthday person. If it is a dinner, I iron on each person’s photo and let them take it home, and they LOVE it
SuzieHi there! Where do you buy your linen fabric from?
AngelaI think this is a great idea! I didn’t want to do doubled-over hems on a cocktail napkin because it would be too bulky. I’m thinkIng of trying two different colors so as to make it reversible and using the same two colors on upper and bobbin thread so that each side would have a contrasting color.
Charlene V.[…] Stitch up some DIY fabric cocktail napkins to help up her hostess […]
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PayHave a new sewing machine.
Now to learn how to use it so I CAN sew a straight line lol.
These are beautiful, and useful!
Perfect combo!
[…] think a little outside the box on fabric choices. And the yellow pillow is leftover linen from the cocktail napkins DIY (which is prob my fave of the […]
How to Sew a DIY Circle Pillow in Just a Few MinutesThis would be a great project to do with your daughters, Seana.
BrittniI would definitely try these… any color, any decoration. I think maybe I’ll make some for my daughters. The nice thing about a fabric coaster is that it really absorbs the moisture, as opposed to others where the condensation collects on top. Thanks for sharing!
Seana TurnerThanks Michelle. The linen I found was so pretty for this one.
BrittniWhat beautiful colors, and I do love those tiny embellishments!
Michellehttps://www.makeandmess.com/
Thanks Courtney. It’s really easy too! If you can sew a straight line, you can make these guys in minutes! 🙂
BrittniThat is such a cool idea. I never would have thought of that.
Courtneyhttp://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/