Monday, July 12, 2010

Fun Family Napkins Tutorial

So in an effort to use a LOT less napkins, I thought that perhaps we could make them. I know, everybody is doing it, and I am only now catching on. However, I wanted these to be special. I don't always get to include the kids in my crafting projects, but this one was perfect.

Here's what you'll need:

fabric paint pens
an old white sheet
lots of fun coordinating trim
disappearing marker
sewing stuff:)

First, you need to decide what size you what your napkins to be. I believe the normal size is 16" x 16". I made mine 12" x 12". Once you decide what size you want, you then need to decide how many.

Okay. So here's my math for how much fabric I was going to cut out. I wanted 8 napkins that were 12 x 12. That meant I needed to cut 16 12" x 12"  squares. However, since I have little one to help me color, I wanted to keep it as one big piece, for easier coloring, so I cut a big piece of sheet approx. 24" x 96" If you have older children, I would suggest cutting all of the squares out, taping them to pieces of cardboard (so the paint doesn't bleed through on anything else) and let them paint away.

My husband even got home in time to get in on some of the coloring action.

Once everyone was done with their masterpieces I let the paint set for a day or two and then threw it in the washer to set the paint for good.

Then it is time to do some cutting (unless, of course, you chose to pre-cut the squares). Make yourself a cutting template the size of you desired napkin and start drawing your napkin squares and cut them out.
Once you have them all cut, pair them up they way you want them and get your trims all ready...it's time to put these babies together. Sew each pair right sides together with the trim on the inside. Leave a hole for flipping the fabric right side out. Clip the corners, turn the fabric and edgestitch all along the outside of the napkin, sewing the hole closed.

Nice work! You're done!

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10 comments:

  1. Fabulous idea! Found you at Get Your Craft On. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing! :o)

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  2. O my goodness! This has to be the cutest project I've seen in a long time! Love that you got your kids involved with this!! And what a great way to repurpose an old sheet!! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ~Alison

    http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

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  3. Okay, we have been using the cloth napkins for a while, but they are boring (read ugly) ones we got with the table cloth I use for messy art projects. These are so adorable!!! And I have all the materials we need to make them...will have to do this soon. Thanks for the great idea! :)

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  4. What a great idea! I love it.

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  5. I love it. We are linking to your post on thursday, July 22nd. Let us know if you would like our featured on button. Thanks for your awesome idea and the permission to share it with our readers.

    -Eva & Vanessa
    Sew It To Me

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  6. I am starting a blog for some of our homeschool girls(and boys) to make homemade gifts for Christmas. I am linking to this for our first craft. If this is not OK please let me know. We will starting Aug 1st.

    thezimms at sbcglobal dot net

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  7. I adored this project so much, I featured it today for my Wednesday's Wowzers. Here is the link:

    http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wednesdays-wowzers.html

    Thanks so much for the inspiration, and have a great day!

    ~Alison

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  8. Great idea! I'm your newest follower :)

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  9. THis is a very fun and creative way to make cloth napkins!

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