It is finally time for one of our yarn dye linens to get the spotlight! This linen features a beautiful checkered pattern that is perfect for a set of napkins.
I added a fun, yellow trim to border this easy-to-make set of napkins. This is a great tutorial on how to use bias tape, which, you will discover, is the greatest sewing aid! If you are an experienced sewer, this is a simple craft that will definitely liven up your table!
In just a few easy steps, you will have a gorgeous new set of napkins that will brighten up your table.
Materials:
- Checkered linen. I used IL074, which is in a yarn dye that I love.
- Bias tape. I used a bright yellow color, but you can pick any color you like. This is easy to find in any craft or fabric store.
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Measure 19" squares from your linen. You can measure and cut as many napkins as you need to complete your set.
When you have finished cutting your squares of linen, round the edges by trimming off a little bit of the fabric. This will make it easy to sew a continuous piece of bias tape around the edge. Plus, I think it just looks nicer!
I pinned the bias tape open to show what it looks like. All you need to do is insert the edge of your linen into that fold. It should line up nicely so you can sew the bias tape all around the edge of your napkin.
Now just sew the bias tape onto your linen with your sewing machine.
The bias tape creates a beautiful (and easy!) border for this checkered print. The rounded edges look great with this fun look too!
I like the vibrant yellow border against the checkered linen. It's fun and looks great! I would try this with other colors too, maybe a red or blue? Choosing the color took me some time, but I really like the yellow.
Use your checkered napkins for any meal for a playful addition to your table setting! I can't wait to use mine!Also, why not make a table runner with the same linen and techniques to complete your table? I might just do that right now!
*I hope you all enjoyed this craft! Let me know what you think and if you have any other napkin ideas! I've never featured the checkered pattern, so I'd love to know what you think about it. Feel free to visit our Facebook page and "like" us! Thanks!
9 Comments on DIY: Checkered Napkins »
January 28, 2012
Linda Holder @ 5:38 am:
I liked napkin rounded corners and I liked the colors you use together. I that I get to make some soon and thanks for the ideal you had.
Dollie Hunnicutt @ 5:50 am:
Love it will try to make them for my niece she would love them on her table but,I think I will do it in a pretty blue trim since she has blue in her decor.
Dollie Hunnicutt @ 5:51 am:
I love them will make them in blue for my niece since her decor is blue thanks.
Yolanda @ 7:13 am:
Lovely! Did you wash and dry and iron the fabric first? How many napkins can I get from one yard of fabric?
Melody @ 8:29 am:
Hi….exactly what color is this fabric, I couldnt tell from my monitor. Thanks for an email back.
Melody
Lynn Rine @ 12:03 pm:
Fabric of Life
I was in tears when you mentioned me on your website on the napkins. I never thought I would be mentioned on the computer, thank you. All of you are Dolls! When you need me again to do more let me know. I would love to help again it gets me out of the house. From Lynn
AmyCat =^.^= @ 1:42 pm:
to Yolanda: I don't know what they did here, but I'd STRONGLY recommend pre-washing and machine-drying ALL your fabric unless you NEVER intend to launder the finished product. This is especially important if you're using another type of fabric (in this case, the bias tape, which is a poly-cotton unless you make your own tape) which won't shrink the same as the linen. Having "casual" linen napkins which would need to be either drycleaned or else hand-washed and line-dried sorta defeats the purpose of a NAPKIN…
Once you've pre-shrunk your fabric, you will need to iron it to get it back in shape for cutting.
If you have an overlock (Serger) machine, you can do an even simpler edge with stretchy decorative-overlock thread. However, both that and a bias-tape edge will eventually pull off the edge of your fabric; a rolled hem is best if you want to be using your napkins 'til the linen wears out!
My dad (age 87) is still using (as "every-day" stuff, for two or three meals per day) a set of casual linen place-mats which he and my late mother got as wedding presents in 1954… The color's a bit faded, and there are some stains (grape jelly, beet juice) that won't come out… but the FABRIC is still strong. Good linen WILL last for decades, even with heavy use!
January 29, 2012
Autumn @ 7:30 pm:
Really liked this tutorial. I've made my own but it's always a pain to make the corners~ why didn't I think of rounding them like this! Thanks for the tip!
January 30, 2012
nicole novembrino @ 10:34 am:
The linen is used is IL074. At the moment, we only offer it in one shade. It is sort of a beige/grey checkerprint.
http://www.fabrics-store.com/first.php?goto=showarticles&menu=f&article=173