Cloth Napkins with Mitered Corners
Materials Needed
1 piece fabric for each napkin (fat quarter – cotton, linen, or a blend)
1 yard of fabric will make 4 napkins. You can also purchase fat quarters which have already been cut to size.
Thread
Pins
Fabric marker or pencil
Iron
Sewing machine
Prepare Fabric
Press the fabric. There is no need to cut the fabric, since the size of the fat quarter is the size fabric needed. If any edges of the fat quarter are uneven, cut a small tear along the edge of the fabric and rip. This will even out the edge of the fabric. Do this for any uneven edges.
If you have a yard of fabric, tear the fabric along the cut edge of the seem to create an even edge. Then fold the fabric in half, then in half the other way (to find where the center is). Tear the fabric along the center lines and then you’ll have four equal size fat quarters. Iron each piece of fabric again to ensure a crease-free surface.
Mark Hem Lines
Using a fabric pen or pencil, draw lines on the wrong side of the fabric, 1-inch away from the edge. You can just mark the corners, drawing about 4-5 inch lines near each corner. Or you can mark the entire outside border, if you’re new to sewing.
Fold and Pressing the Seams
Fold in each corner so that it fills in the box which was drawn on in the previous step. Pressing each corner down as you go along.
Then fold the corners in again. This time folding them in right at the point of the original corner. Pressing each corner down as you go along. Make sure that each end lines up with the drawn on lines.
Fold in each straight edge, 1/2-inch, to line up with the drawn on lines. Pressing each straight edge down as you go along.
Then fold in each straight edge again, another 1/2-inch. The end should line up with the inside folded edge of the corner, creating mitered corners. Pressing each edge down as you go along and then pinning them in place.
Stitch the Hems
Stitch around all 4 sides of the napkin, using the folded edges as your guide. It should be sewn using a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Once all hems are sewn, press each napkin and they’re finished. Wash and press again before using.
