Comments on: Easy Cloth Napkins Tutorial: How to sew mitered corners

By: quiltzyx

quiltzyx — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:32:42 +0000

I’m looking forward to trying that way to make the nice mitered corners! But I have one question:
If we’re cutting the one yard of fabric into FOUR equal pieces, how do you end up with SIX napkins? (“That’s it! You’ll finish all six in no time!”)

By: Mehnaz

Mehnaz — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:49:56 +0000

Can’t wait to try this out tonight! I want to make matching placemats and napkins 🙂

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:45:11 +0000

A couple things to add: (1) To have a 16″ square napkin, start with 18″ x 18″ pieces. To have a more finished look, after sewing the 4 sides of the hem, stitch again about 1/4″ away. Using a somewhat longer-than-typical stitching length seems to look prettier to my eye.

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 22:25:37 +0000

In reply to Linsey. Hi Linsey! When you fold one corner with the right sides together you'll sew at an angle, as the photo indicates. Then trim the excess fabric. I hope that helps.

By: Linsey

Linsey — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:17:48 +0000

I don’t get step 2 🙁

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:02:47 +0000

In reply to Nancy. Thank you, Nancy =)

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:01:34 +0000

In reply to cucicucicoo. Fantastic!! So glad you love them.

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:01:06 +0000

In reply to Cora. Yes, exactly.

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 21:00:26 +0000

In reply to Nancy. Thank you so much, Nancy!

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:59:47 +0000

In reply to lara. Good thinking. Maybe solid colors?

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:59:12 +0000

In reply to Jodie. That's great! I wish we only used cloth napkins. I need to make a lot more =)

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:15:00 +0000

In reply to Kathy. Great idea!!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 19:04:18 +0000

In reply to Moi.

Hi Moi – that threw me at first, too. The tutorial is for making 4 napkins out of one yard of fabric, then there is a link at the end to another, different, tutorial where 6 napkins are made out of one yard. They’re less squarish and more of a longer rectangle…cutely nicknamed “lapkins” 😉 HTH!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 19:01:16 +0000

Best napkin tutorial I found via google! super! Even the Fiskars’ tutorial was not as easy, I didn’t think. Tho it was the only other one I saw with mitered corners. l like that yours have a wider hem and a sewn miter. I think wider hems lay flatter and look classier than roll hems and are probably sturdier.

I plan on replacing not only paper napkins, but all paper towels, except possibly really messy exceptions. I’ve been quilting for years, so don’t expect a problem whipping these darlings up. Thanks for the how-to! I can’t wait to raid my fabric stash. I’m going to do 18″ (unfinished) squares.

By: cucicucicoo

cucicucicoo — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 10:31:25 +0000

I already commented on this post, but I just used this technique for corners of a tablecloth and they came out PERFECTLY! I’ve never sewn such beautiful mitered corners before! Thank you so much! 🙂 Lisa

By: Cora

Cora — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:26:01 +0000

Great tutorial on making the napkins with mitered corners. Unless your fabric is 50 inches wide or more, you will only get 4 napkins in the yard stated.

By: Diane Schuller

Diane Schuller — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 04:50:02 +0000

I have gone back to using cloth napkins for the past 6-8 years but now I want to make my own! Thanks for the tutorial

By: Moi

Moi — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 19:20:04 +0000

Hello,
I’m not a sewer but thought the instructions sounded easy enough that I’ve give it a try. I read through the instructions beginning with cut into 4 equal pieces, all the way to “You can see how I turned 1 yard into 6 napkins”. I don’t understand how four can become six. Please explain. Thanks!

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:46:32 +0000

Wow, I love this. I have made several sets of cloth napkins, so much nicer than paper and eco friendly. Mine never looked this good but they will now. Thanks for the trick. LOVE LOVE LOVE it

By: lara

lara — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:07:54 +0000

I love these, I grew up using cloth napkins every day and have made some for home. But I can’t get my husband on board with them. Maybe if I made some manly napkins and tablecloths he’d be more likely to get on board.

By: Milca

Milca — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:43:06 +0000

Love those! I want to make some as soon as I find the right fabric for these and a couple matching runners.

By: Jodie

Jodie — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:28:41 +0000

I have made a lot of napkins, but your tutorial makes them so much easier. I always like mitered corners and never knew to sew down corner to make it so much easier! Thank you so much! I will be making many more now. We only use cloth napkins.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:15:05 +0000

Great tutorial – I used some of my decorative stitches to stitch around. They look great!

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:09:54 +0000

In reply to Angela. Great idea!

By: cucicucicoo

cucicucicoo — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:58:09 +0000

what a great tutorial! i always dread doing mitered corners because they take me forever and i can never get them perfectly even. i will definitely try this way next time! thanks so much! 🙂 lisa

By: Cindy Berry

Cindy Berry — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:21:19 +0000

I have been sewing for about 45 years, and have never tried this trick, see you can teach an old dog a new trick, thanks!

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:29:47 +0000

Love this. Since I have given up paper towels I need to add to my napkin collection and can also do this for the flannel I use in place of the paper towels…

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:08:31 +0000

In reply to Becky Coyle. HA! I love that!

By: Becky Coyle

Becky Coyle — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:39:52 +0000

Ii ALWAYS use cloth napkins; it’s the one touch of elegance I love. We may eat on paper plates, but we have cloth napkins! Thanks for this great tutorial.

By: Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:06:16 +0000

Great tutorial! And I love the fabric! Can’t wait to try this! Pinning!

By: Veronica

Veronica — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:11:21 +0000

Neat trick! Never, ever thought about how to do this, but it looks so simple! Pinned!

By: Jessica at Me Sew Crazy

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:53:27 +0000

Easy and perfect!!! Almost made some of these for the GNO dinner…almost. Lol

By: condo blues

condo blues — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:22:56 +0000

I like how you did your corners. They are so much neater than mine.

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:21:21 +0000

In reply to Erin @ DIY On the Cheap. You're welcome, Erin. I'm so glad it was useful! Mitered corners scared me for so long but they're actually very easy.

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:19:41 +0000

In reply to Carissa. Aren't those polka dots adorable??

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:19:13 +0000

In reply to Patti. That's great to hear, Patti! I'd love to get a larger collection so we can use them more frequently!

By: Patti

Patti — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:06:28 +0000

Thank you for this tutorial. We switched to cloth napkins about a year ago (using them everyday instead of for “company”) and I have enjoyed sewing some new ones out of about a yard of “fun” material.

By: Carissa

Carissa — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:25:08 +0000

cute! i never use them but for parties, but i def need these ones!

By: Andrea Pannell

Andrea Pannell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:44:37 +0000

In reply to Ruth Stark. Thanks, Ruth! I hope it works well for you!

By: Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

Erin @ DIY On the Cheap — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:04:55 +0000

Great tutorial! I am a beginner at sewing so I appreciate this!