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I have been trying to get this post up, well, all day now with an insane amount of interruptions....alas, here it is.
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I recently posted about how we use cloth napkins, [which, by the way, the giveaway is still open!], and wondered why, being the enthusiastic seamstress I am, had never actually made some napkins. Now you're wondering, right? So, I thought it was a good time to do a mitered corner tutorial!
I also like a large napkin. Originally I thought I could get 3 across, but those would make for many mini frustrating serviettes indeed. Begin by pre-washing and drying your fabric.
o1 For a 20" x 20" finished napkin, cut 22" x 22" squares.
o3 Fold in each corner, exactly where the intersection of the side folds meet, press.
o4 Fold the crease you just created in half, making sure they line up.
o5 Stitch along that crease, leaving 1/4" open along the raw edges of the fabric, making sure to backstitch both beginning and ending.
o6 Trim, leaving 1/4". Trim the point at an angle.
o7 Press open seam. Fold and press the edge of the fabric 1/4" around the perimeter.
o8 Turn right side out and press again. Pin in place.
o9 Stitch around the napkin, just inside the hem [1/8"].
Ta-da! You have a professional looking mitered napkin. Don't be afraid to get them dirty, because you will enjoy those mitered corners every time you wipe the corner of your mouth. :)
27 say sew[s]:
Awesome-as a VERY new person to sewing it's always great to see a tutorial on something I'd actually been wondering about. Thanks so much =)
--Kayla
Kayla--so glad to help! i believe that through the simple details great things are wrought. Even simplicity deserves the limelight now and again, no?
Oh I just love things that turn out so neatly and precisely ...and I was just thinking today as I was sifting though lots of bits and pieces of fabric that I need something to do with them. Napkins would be perfect!
Thanks sew much for sharing this tutorial. We have started using fabric napkins at our house. This has inspired me to make some with the loads of fabric I have.
I just want all of those napkins. The materials are phenomenal. Now I will have to go and hunt similar fabrics down. Thanks for the tute.
Clever! If you don't mind, I'd like to link this up to my Sewing 101 roundup page. I'm sure it would be of use to many.
Oh thank you! I've been itching to make some pretty napkins...they'll be even prettier with those lovely edges. Love your blog...you inspire me!
Katy, I have done mitered corners before and the way I was doing them seemed tedious and not always precise. I never thought to sew across the corner like that--thank you for the great tip!
Katy, thank you. I have a large stash of cloth napkins that I bought that are now about worn out. This is just what I needed to walk me through making my own.
Warmly,
Tracey
Hi - I have written about you here: http://blessbytone.blogspot.com/2011/02/where-i-find-inspiration.html - I hope you don't mind, it's only about where I find inspiration - Tone
Katy, can I use this same technique for making mitred corners on a quilt?
Becky-not if you're using bias to finish off the edge, that's a bit of a different technique. If you want to fold one side of the quilt over to the other to finish off the edges, then yes, this would work!
Oh my gosh...I had no idea it was that easy!!! My husband has wanted to use cloth napkins for a very long time (read...years) but I have been putting off making them because I didn't just want a serged edge...I wanted something a little nicer and today, thanks to you, I found it!! Napkins...here we come!!
Thank you so much for this post....I am so excited!!
ok, so a bunch of comments rolled into one.
1. CONGRATS on winning! I knew you'd win!!! I totally spaced telling you yesterday, I'm sorry!
2. I think the story book project thing is so cool! I hope I can scrounge up some time to make something!
3. Is a sewing soiree on your radar?
4. Seriously, seriously, just last week a
I added "make cloth napkins" on my to do list! We do not use up many paper towels, and our napkin use comes from a stockpile of paper napkins that we've accumulated through the years, seriously, none that I have ever paid for. Its dwindling low now and Im definitely not buying any. I'm excited to make some!!! xoxo
Katy this is a great tutorial. I recently made a blanket for Oliver and it didn't turn out how I pictured. Those mitered corners can be tricky. Love the napkins! I should try making some before I attempt another blanket. :)
Great tutorial...perhaps I see some cloth napkins in my future...
Love your fabric choices! I need to make a stack of these. Thanks for the clear explanations/pictures.
It seems so easy the way you explained!
I might even try mitered corner one more time :)
Thank you so much!
Great post. I can't wait to try it!
I have featured your tutorial on my latest INSPIRED BY post -
http://firstadream.blogspot.com/2011/02/inspired-by_24.html
Those corners are so sharp and the hem so straight! I'm SO going to have to give this a try!
I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-easy-mitered-corners/2011/02/25/
--Anne
Çok güzel anlatmışsın. Teşekkürler..
Brilliant! I make them but not with the mitered corner. Thank you Thank you!
thanks for the this. i was just pondering how to do it and i saw this on Craft Gossip. Love your blog and your beautiful dresses. Your girls are dolls too. I am a mom of 6.
Love this simple approach! I have mitered corners a few times but it's been a hack job for sure! I feel much better equipped for my next set of napkins! (I am a cloth fan too and seem to make them just about every time I have a party!) -Anneliese
Nice tutorial - mitering seams is often a big deal for many who sew.
i love that i was able to find this tutorial and make a super simple baby blanket from it. i was always stumped on how to do this technique. pretty good directions when i newbie can get it right on the first try!
thank you thank you!
I love your tutorials and your awesome blog!
With your help I made a birthday tablecloth the other day! Not yet perfect, but it was my first try! :)
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany!
Heidi
PS: Take a look at my tablecloth that I made with your tutorial! :) http://pnutspnuts.blogspot.com/2012/03/geburtstagstischdecke.html
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