Okay, so I’ve been wanting to add a little something extra to my table settings, you know, just to make things feel a bit more… special. I saw these gorgeous tartan plaid cloth napkins online and thought, “I can totally make those!” So, here’s how my little DIY project went down.
Gathering My Supplies
First things first, I needed to get my hands on some fabric. I went to my local fabric store, and oh boy, it was plaid heaven! They had so many different kinds of tartan. I spent a good chunk of time just browsing and feeling the different fabrics. I finally picked out a classic red and green tartan – it just felt so festive and cozy.
I also grabbed some matching thread, my trusty sewing scissors, pins, and of course, my sewing machine. I made sure my iron and ironing board were ready to go too, because pressing is KEY to a good-looking napkin, believe me.
Cutting and Measuring
Back home, I pre-washed and ironed the fabric. This is super important because you don’t want your napkins to shrink after you’ve sewn them! Then, I laid the fabric out on my big cutting mat. I decided to make my napkins 18×18 inches, which I figured was a good size for everyday use and maybe even for slightly fancier occasions.
I used my ruler and a fabric marker to draw out the squares. Let me tell you, cutting straight lines on plaid fabric can be a little tricky. You gotta make sure you’re following the lines of the pattern, otherwise, things can get wonky real fast. I took my time and double-checked my measurements before making each cut.
Sewing the Hems
Once I had my squares cut out, it was time to sew! I decided to go with a simple folded hem. I folded each edge over about half an inch, ironed it down, and then folded it over another half inch and ironed again. This gives you a nice, clean edge with no raw fabric showing.
Pinning everything in place was the next step. Lots and lots of pins! I’m not the best at sewing in a perfectly straight line, so the pins really help keep everything aligned.
Then, I fired up my sewing machine. I used a straight stitch and just slowly and carefully sewed along each edge, removing the pins as I went. I backstitched at the beginning and end of each seam to make sure they were nice and secure. It’s a little bit of a repetitive process, but honestly, it’s kind of relaxing.
The Finishing Touches
After all the hems were sewn, I gave each napkin a final press with the iron. This really makes them look crisp and professional. And that was it! I had a set of beautiful, handmade tartan plaid cloth napkins.
- Choose your lovely Tartan fabric.
- Prewash! Don’t let it shrink later.
- Cut the fabric square.
- Fold and Iron the hems, double fold recommended.
- Use the sew machine to sew along all edges.
- Give a final press.
I’m so happy with how they turned out! They add such a nice touch to my dining table, and I love that I made them myself. It’s a super easy project, even for a beginner sewer, and it’s a great way to add a personal touch to your home.