This week has been all about making cloth napkins which seems appropriate with Earth Day coming up. Statistics say the average American uses approximately 2,200 napkins per year — about six a day. Switching to cloth napkins is an easy way to make a difference and use up some fabric. I started with some "practice" napkins for the kids using these prints from the organic Lorax bundle I got at Quilt Market last fall. My kids love these but I still have to remind them to wipe their mouths: )
After a few adjustments to my design I made up this set to go with my
Easter table runner so I'll be all set for next year.
From there I moved on to these watercolor applique napkins. These are part of a set I'm making with a coordinating table runner and coasters. They are made with an assortment of batiks leftover from my
Keeping It Together quilt and some lovely Waterford linen I picked up at
Quilter's Way. The linen is a bit heavier than Essex and super soft. I've already gone through the 2 1/2 yards I bought so I'm going to have to pick up some more: )
New design so another prototype, this time with Moda Crossweave and Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile. These are sooo luxurious, I almost hate to use them!
And finally I got to the real reason I was making napkins in the first place. I've never done a swap but when I heard the adorable Amy of
During Quiet Time was hosting the
Table Top swap I had to sign up. My partner asked for brights so I hope she likes these. They're are also made from Waterford linen with some Amy Butler Lark and Oliver + S City Weekend. The napkin rings are of course Flea Market Fancy. The fabulous Aimee of
Salt Marsh Designs has a pattern for these cute little napkin rings in the upcoming issue of Modern Patchwork and I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. Since I was a bit ahead of schedule I made some to send along also. These are so easy and work up in a flash! The new issue is due out next month and there are so many cool projects. You are definitely going to want to check it out!
I think I went a little overboard;-) Despite all the tutorials out there on making napkins (including the ones we were
supposed to use for the Table Top swap) I ended up coming up with my own ways for making all these. Three sets of napkins, three different techniques. Check back next week for tutorials showing how I did these in case you want to try something new.
Edited to add: Napkin week tutorials are now available...
I am so
done with napkins after this week but it's nice to have lots to show for Friday finish link ups!
They are all beautiful...I really love the voile set but would have a hard time using them. The set for the swap is great--love the rings with them too!
ReplyDeleteI love them all. I was just ordering some fabrics to make some lunchbox napkins - that Lorax fabric is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThey turned out beautifully! I especially love the appliqued ones! The voile ones must feel amazing! But only for grown ups! : )
ReplyDeleteYay, I can't wait for the tutorials. I really need to make myself some of these to supplement the amazing ones Rebecca made me in the Christmas swap.
ReplyDelete