https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/crochet-edged-linen-cocktail-napkins-tutorial • Posted by Nourish and Nestle
This tutorial will teach you how to make a mitre-cornered napkin and add a crocheted edging to it. These are so nice to have in your home and make great gifts!
This tutorial will teach you how to make a mitre-cornered napkin and add a crocheted edging to it. These are so nice to have in your home and make great gifts!
Cut your fabric into 11.5″ squares.
Turn over 1/4 inch on each side and iron down. Using spray starch helps keep the fold pressed
Then turn over 1/2 inch on each side, pressing down with starch.
Unfold your 1/2 seam and, using your disappearing ink pen, mark at the point of the fold
For each corner, fold your fabric with right sides together, matching the folds made with your 1/2″ turn.
Using your disappearing ink, mark along fold line from dot. Then measure 1/2″ from where the line meets the edge of your fabric and put a dot there. Draw a line connecting the 2 dots.
Pin the fabric down and sew along the diagonal line, making sure you reverse at each end to keep in secure.
Starting at your original dot, cut your fabric as shown (sorry it’s a little blurry)
Repeat for each corner. Unfold your corners. I use a letter opener to push my corner points out to make them crisp and sharp. For my first try at this, I then sewed my folds down so very nicely. DON’T DO THAT. I found that it was best to wait until you’ve put your back stitch in so that you can hide all your loose threads
How to embellish your fabric napkins with an edge: Using your disappearing ink mark, make a mark every 1/2″ along one side of your fabric. This ink disappears very quickly, so you’ll only be able to do one side at a time.
Thread your needle with about 2 3/4 to 3 yards of your pearl cotton. You will want the thread to be double, so tie the 2 ends together. This length of thread will allow you to put your back stitch along 2 of the edges. You’ll repeat for the other 2 edges, but the thread was too long to have just one piece.
I put a back stitch along the folded edge of my napkin, but you could use a blanket stitch if you’d prefer that look.
If you aren’t familiar with the back stitch, it’s very simple. Come up from the back of your fabric and out point number 1. Then go in point number 2 and out point number 3. You will then go back in point number 1 and out point number 4. From point 4 you’ll go in at 3 and out at 5. When you reach the end of the thread, tie it off and start again until you’ve gone completely around the napkin.
How to put a very simple crochet border on your fabric napkin: The only stitch you’ll need to know for the edge I did is the single crochet.
Work 5 single crochets (sc) in each 1/2″ section of your back stitch. By jamming the 5th one in there, you create a little scallop. My original plan was to work something a bit more detailed, but in figuring it out, I liked the look of the very simple scallop. If you’d prefer something other than this simple border, there are many variations of crochet edging out there and no rules, so get creative!
Finish your fabric napkin: Once done with your crochet edge, tie off and trim all your loose edges. Press seam down and stitch a top stitch all the way around. Grab your prettiest tumbler and pour yourself a scotch, even if you don’t drink it, just to see how pretty it looks! Embroidering an initial in the corner would be a great touch, especially if given as a gift.