DIY No-Sew Cloth Napkins

As promised earlier this week when we talked about making patterned napkins with fabric markers, today I’m going to show you another quick and easy way to gussy up your table. This time it’s all about the no-sew cloth napkins! This trick has been one of my go-to ways to style a table for years. Because, honestly, a lot of store-bought table linens are kind of meh when it comes to design, colors and patterns. And we like things to be fun, peppy and pretty! Or, at least I do. And I’m assuming you do, too. With this crazy easy technique you’ll be able to make napkins that add a pop of style to your table in no time. So let’s hop to it!

Supplies –

• Fabric of your choice (cotton is best)
• Iron-on seam tape (available at any fabric store – I used this kind)
• Rule or tape measure
• Protective cutting surface
• Fabric rotary cutter (mine is similar to this one)
• Iron

First up, you need your fabric! One of my favorite sources for fabric is Spoonflower. You could also use a sheet or pillowcase or any other random piece of fabric that you love instead of buying yardage. Next up measure out a piece roughly 13″ square, which leaves you enough for a 1/2″ seam around the entire perimeter. Then just run a line of seam tape along one edge, leaving that 1/2″ border between the tape and edge of the fabric. Use your iron to bond the tape to the fabric, using the instructions as provided by the manufacturer of your particular seam tape. Continue in this fashion around all four sides of your fabric.

Then begin folding up the edge of the fabric to cover the top of the seam tape and iron to bond the two together. Continue around each side, tucking and trimming the fabric at the corners to create a clean edge. Keep in mind that your napkins don’t need to be perfect! I like perfect, I’m sure you like perfect, too. But guess what? Nobody is going to pay much attention to the back of your napkins so make it as neat as you can without getting too crazy. (That from the girl who tends to get a little crazy about these things.) Then give the napkin a good overall ironing and voila! You have your very own custom cloth napkins that will literally only take a few minutes each to make.

What I love about this project is that it’s really crazy easy! It allows you to quickly dress up your table without a look of work and without contending against boring run of the mill linens. (Can you tell I have a vendetta against boring table linens?) I’ve been using this technique for years now – whether for entertaining friends or styling photo shoots – and it never fails to impress.

[Design + styling by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion. | Photos by Alice G. Patterson.]

Sources –
Fabric + rotary cutter from Michaels
Steam-a-Seam from Hobby Lobby
Dinnerware by Heath Ceramics
Flatware, pitcher + shakers are all vintage

The fine print: Please link with love! As with all of our posts, DIY projects featured on The Sweetest Occasion may not be copied, distributed or reproduced without express written permission. Love and links are always appreciated! If you’d like to share this post, please link to this post directly for the DIY tutorial and do not include the instructions in your own post. Thanks so much! xoxo