Molly's Sketchbook: Handstitched Napkins

These lovely handstitched napkins will make a bright and beautiful addition to any Thanksgiving table! They are designed as a part of a set with my Thanksgiving Reverse Applique Placemats which you can find at this link.

Materials

If you would like to make 4 napkins AND 4 placemats (pictured above) you will need:

• 1/2-yard of Echino Solid in Bright Pink
• 1/2-yard of Echino Solid in Chartreuse
• 1/2-yard of Kona Cotton in Bright Pink
• 1/2-yard of Kona Cotton in Mustard
• 1-yard of Nani Iro Linen Blend in Brown Print (each half yard of the nani-iro print will give you enough for 2 placemats)
• Embroidery Thread in Light Brown Black
• A small embroidery needle
• fabric marker such as tailor's chalk or a pencil

If you would like to make 8 napkins ONLY you will need:

• 1/2-yard of Echino Solid in Bright Pink
• 1/2-yard of Echino Solid in Chartreuse
• 1/2-yard of Kona Cotton in Bright Pink
• 1/2-yard of Kona Cotton in Mustard
• Embroidery Thread in Light Brown Black
• A small embroidery needle
• fabric marker such as tailor's chalk or a pencil

Finished Measurements

• Napkins:  16-inches square
• Placemats:  13-inches x 17-inches

Cutting

Cut one 18-inch square from a solid fabric.

Use tailor's chalk or a pencil to mark a line 1-inch in from all four edges as pictured above.

Hemming Step 1

Press two opposite edges in 1/2-inch to meet the drawn line.

Fold these folds over 1/2-inch once more, encasing the raw edges.

Press and pin the folded edges into place.

Beginning 1-inch from the corner, at the intersecting drawn line, sew the two folds into place with a small running stitch approximately 1/8-inch from the fold. Stop at the opposite intersecting drawn line, 1-inch from the raw edge.

Your stitches should be neat and relatively straight along the fold.

Hemming Step 2

Fold all four corners in a right triangle shape as pictured above, press into place.

Press the two remaining raw edges in towards the drawn lines like you did for the first step of the hemming. Make sure to keep your corner triangles pressed down as you do this.

Fold the edges over again 1/2-inch, press and pin into place.

Starting from the inside of the mitered corners sew these folds into place with a small running stitch approximately 1/8-inch from the edge of the fold. (The miter of the corner is a great place to hide your knot!)

Repeat these steps for the three other solid fabrics.

If you'd like to make the reverse applique placemats to go with you napkins please visit my Reverse Applique Placemats Project Journal here.  --Molly