Alright folks, let me tell you about this little side project I tackled – beverage napkins! Sounds simple, right? Well, it was, but I learned a thing or two along the way, and I figured I’d share my experience.
It all started ’cause I was tired of using those flimsy paper napkins that fall apart the second they get a little damp. Plus, I wanted something a bit more… me. So, I decided to make my own beverage napkins.
First things first, I hit up the local fabric store. I was aiming for something absorbent but also kinda stylish. Ended up grabbing a few different cotton fabrics with fun patterns. Got about half a yard of each, just to have some variety.
Next, I needed a template. I grabbed one of those cardboard coasters from a bar – you know, the kind they always try to give you when you order a drink. Used that as my size guide. Figured it was a good, standard size for a beverage napkin.
Then the fun began! I laid out my fabric on a cutting mat and used the coaster as a template, tracing around it with a fabric marker. I cut out a bunch of squares – probably like 20 or so. I made sure to cut inside the lines so the marker wouldn’t show.
Now, here’s where things got a little tricky. I wanted the napkins to be double-layered for extra absorbency, so I paired up my fabric squares. Right sides together, of course! Then, I grabbed my sewing machine (Dusting it off first!), threaded it up, and started sewing.
I sewed around each square, leaving about a two-inch opening on one side. This is important! You need that opening to turn the napkin right-side out. I made sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to secure it.
After sewing, I trimmed the corners of each square. This helps to reduce bulk and makes the corners look nice and crisp when you turn the napkin right-side out. Just be careful not to cut too close to the seam!
Okay, time for the satisfying part. I carefully turned each napkin right-side out through that little opening. Then, I used a chopstick (a pen works too!) to gently poke out the corners and make them nice and sharp.
The last step was closing up that opening. I folded the raw edges of the fabric inward and pressed them with an iron. Then, I topstitched around the entire napkin, close to the edge, which sealed the opening and gave the napkin a nice, finished look.
And that’s it! I ended up with a stack of awesome, reusable beverage napkins. They’re way better than those flimsy paper ones, and they add a little touch of style to my coffee table.
Lessons Learned:
- Use absorbent fabric! Some of my choices were more for looks than function.
- Don’t skip the pressing! Ironing makes a HUGE difference in the final product.
- Have fun with it! Experiment with different fabrics and patterns.
Overall, this was a super easy and rewarding project. I highly recommend giving it a try if you’re looking for a quick and satisfying craft.
