About 5 years ago I made cloth napkins. It was November and we were going to have 9 guests for Thanksgiving. There were 6 of us so I made 15 (hard to tell that math wasn't my best subject, huh?). I bought just a few yards of inexpensive fabric, no real predetermined thought on size. I chose several variations of a woven fabric, kind of homespun looking. I cut them into large squares, turned the edges under 1/4 inch and ironed, turned them again and ironed.
The girls and I kept that stack near us each evening as we watched holiday movies and stitched. At that time Audrey was just 9, Erin 11, and Hillary 17. We used a whip stitch in matching thread. These have been used daily for the past 5 years. The fact that we made so many for Thanksgiving means we always have clean ones.
I love looking at the stitches and trying to determine who did what. I think I might have an idea, but they really did do such a nice job that I'm not sure...
I have been wanting to do napkins for months...never have and I have some material...so you have motivated me. What treasures you have.
ReplyDeleteOh you funny girl on your comment on my blog...well I don't avoid mirrors, I just don't put my glasses on and then I don't notice all the things I wouldn't like....and if I turn right I can even look skinnier.
This will be a fun week, because I am 50 and will take it all with a grain of salt, picking out what works for me...most of the writers are runners...lets just say, no one really even wants to see me running...and my joints feel it too fast.
Have a great week...I am going to dig out my closet of fabric right now...probably will use the machine instead of hand...if I hand I have to wear my glasses...LOL
Debbie, thanks for visiting me at Thinking About Home...your comment made me smile. I guess because I can relate to getting in a dither a few too many times myself! :-D
ReplyDeleteI love your cloth napkins! Well, I love napkins of any kind...paper, fabric, vintage or otherwise...they all call my name. I think you've inspired me to whip up some new cloth ones! (Or maybe I'll wait until after graduation...)
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteCloth napkins are a simple pleasure, and yours have wonderful memories.
Making your own table linens means you always have exactly what you need. Gail, over at Faithfullness Farm, makes her own napkins too. I'm going to have to try this soon.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to make some napkins for us as well. I really like yours! The fabric is lovely.
ReplyDeleteMother used to have cloth napkins. I love them. A young family I know, who have 7 children, use them every meal. It gives the table a nice touch!
ReplyDeleteWe switched to cloth napkins last year, and I'm still really liking them. Yours are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThats a good way to go..I don't like paper ones and it would be so easy to keep them washed. :D
ReplyDeleteNot only is your basket filled with napkins, it is filled with memories. That makes them so special.
ReplyDeleteI ♥ your knit chicks AND these napkins. We reuse our cloth napkins. Each is placed in a different napkin ring to identify whose is whose. We were green before green was "in"!
ReplyDeleteI'm such a fan of cloth napkins that we can run out of the paper ones here, and I don't even know it for a while. I have made some of my own, but I'm jussssssst lazy enough to do it by machine.
ReplyDeleteI love your thought of sitting with a stack of cut cloth with my girls and stitching cloth napkins while watching a movie or listening to a tape. I could possibly even take this project along when visiting my mother for the girls to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I've been meaning to make some for ages - homespun is a good choice, because it's the same on both sides.
ReplyDeletePrecious, precious memory! I have loved my cloth for years too but we have many in rotation.... didn't make them either. some came from thrift stores and others hand-me-downs from my mother-in-laws stash!
ReplyDeleteI spy a bunny...........
ReplyDeleteIjust told myself the other day, instead of buying paper why not make some. You just convience me that I need to do that. Thank you enjoyed my visit here.
ReplyDeletehttp://thewednesdaybaker.blogspot.com/2011/04/cherry-almond-breakfast-cookies.html