Fabric napkins: manufacturing secrets, folding methods

We strive to create comfort in our home. Tablecloths, towels, napkins, being an indispensable part of everyday life, additionally saturate the room with warmth and comfort. With the help of these interior elements you can transform the appearance of any room at any time.

Every housewife knows that the atmosphere in the house is created from the little things.

A tablecloth on the table will allow you to fully experience the atmosphere of family warmth and home comfort. In this article we will tell you how to sew napkins and tablecloths for the table with your own hands. Small household items, sewn by yourself, will add a unique personality to the decor of your home.

Ordinary napkins can transform the kitchen and turn everyday meals into cozy family feasts.

Table design features

Table setting is a creative, exciting process. All family members can participate. This activity can be turned into an interesting game. The process of decorating a festive table includes everything: from selecting a tablecloth to arranging cutlery. The latter include napkins. They are an important means of hygiene and help decorate a celebration. They must be purchased and placed according to certain rules.

Color

The color of the tablecloth should be harmoniously combined with the interior of the room. Universal colors are cream, coffee, golden, light beige, light pearl. Tablecloths of these colors will suit any interior.

In addition, the color of the tablecloth depends on the occasion for which the holiday is being organized:

• white – used for the most special occasions (anniversaries, weddings, birthdays);
• green and turquoise are calm and restrained colors that are well suited for less formal events, such as family councils;
• red , orange , yellow - bright colors for cheerful holidays, creating a warm atmosphere and uplifting mood;
• silver , red , green - will be appropriate for the New Year's table.

If the tablecloth is used daily, then the best option would be a plain tablecloth with a floral pattern. This tablecloth is perfect for a family tea party.

Important: it is desirable that the color of the tablecloth matches the dishes harmoniously. For example, a bright finish will dull the color of white dishes, while fine china will look bad on a simple checkered tablecloth.

A tablecloth and runner or a tablecloth and runner in contrasting colors looks impressive.

Napkins should also contrast in color with the tablecloth so as not to blend into the surface of the table. For example, a light tablecloth – dark napkins or vice versa. An interesting option is a combination of a soft cream tablecloth with chocolate-colored napkins.

Choosing fabric

In shops and markets, textile products of different sizes, types, and price categories are sold for table setting. But it will be more effective to make cute napkins with your own hands. This is quite easy to do. The first stage of production is the choice of fabric. The fabric should be light, dense, wear-resistant. It must withstand a large number of washes and not lose its original appearance after several uses. Three types of fabric meet all of the above requirements. They are described in more detail in the table.

Fabric Advantages, disadvantages Cotton As an everyday textile, this is an ideal option. The cotton is not easily soiled, it is dense. It retains its shape and does not wash out. Can last for a long time. The cost of such material is acceptable. Mixed fabrics A practical, inexpensive option. These are fabrics consisting of synthetic and natural raw materials. The percentage of component input may vary. Thanks to mixing, the fabric combines all the advantages of natural and synthetic raw materials. It is wear-resistant. After washing, the material does not shrink. Linen is a natural, beautiful fabric. It has good absorbency and easily retains its shape even after ten washes. Flax is susceptible to starch. The product can be folded into various fancy shapes.

Necessary materials for sewing

To sew textile decorative elements with your own hands, you need a good mood, desire and a few available tools:

• A piece of canvas;
• Sewing machine;
• Basic sewing supplies: scissors, thread, measuring tape, pins, needles;
• Marking pencil;
• Ironing board and iron.

Napkins perform not only a decorative, but also a practical function.

Interesting folding methods

It will be difficult to surprise guests with napkins modestly lying under the plate. Now it is fashionable to fold them into various shapes, flowers, and other extraordinary shapes. The following are the most popular options.

Lily

An original flower will decorate any holiday table.
The starting position of the fabric is folded in half diagonally. The left and right corners are aligned with the vertex of the original triangle. Then you need to fold it in half, just bend the top of the triangle located at the top.

Scheme for assembling a lily from a fabric napkin

South Cross

The Southern Cross is an interesting and very simple fabric napkin layout that will fit perfectly into the decor of the dining table.
The original shape is face down. Bend all corners one by one. They should be facing the center. Then you need to turn the square over and bend the corners again. Then the upper right corner should be pulled out, followed by all the others.

Method of folding napkins “Southern Cross” step by step

Megaphone

Megaphone - a very simple way to design a paper or fabric napkin

Napkins and serving rules

Table setting with napkins depends on the number of dishes, changes in dishes and type of meal. Each case requires a special use and folding of napkins, according to etiquette.

How to beautifully set a table without a tablecloth for a holiday

Where to put napkins when serving:

- if the table is set for a full dinner with a large number of plates, glasses and cutlery, the napkin lies in the center of the appetizer plate;

- a napkin folded into a tube, envelope or triangle is placed to the left of the hot plate after the last fork;

- if there is no snack plate, place it in the center of a small dinner plate for a hot dish;

- if the dishes are already filled and are standing in front of the cutlery, place a napkin between the forks and spoons;

- if the napkin is rolled into a tube, it is placed closer to the center of the table parallel to the dessert cutlery;

- from the edge of the serving plate, when there is already a pair of tea in the center;

- in a glass or glass in the shape of a rose or other flower to create a romantic atmosphere.

Which patterned napkins to choose for stylish serving

Folded napkins will organically combine with small plates with a diameter of about 20 cm. If you want to place a napkin in a wine glass, choose tall models with a volume of 300-500 ml, pay attention to the combination of the shape of the dish and the origami model. For example, in a glass, folding napkins in the form of a tulip, fan, candle or turret looks especially advantageous.

Accessories

To make napkins a real highlight of the table setting, they can be decorated with original accessories. Accessories can be different: flowers, feathers, clips, rings. With the help of such decorative elements you can create an incredible composition. Use the following guidelines when selecting accessories.

• You should not decorate the feast with artificial flowers. It looks cheap and unattractive. It is better to give preference to fresh flowers, even inexpensive ones. Chamomile, fragrant rose, delicate lily will help create an incredible atmosphere at the table.
• Textile products can be personalized. This idea is relevant when organizing a wedding or birthday. Personalized napkins will be a very pleasant surprise. You can embroider names on the material yourself. For this purpose, contrasting threads are usually used. Another option is to put names out of rhinestones. This is a great party idea.
• Rings are an exquisite accessory. It will become indispensable during a dinner party or an important business event. The advantage of rings is their durability. This accessory is made from durable raw materials. It can be stored in a closet at home, waiting for the right opportunity. Rings come in different sizes and colors. You need to choose a model based on the color of the tablecloth, the interior features of the room, and the table. Every detail of the decor should be in harmony with the serving. Special clamps can be an excellent alternative to rings. Clamps are made in different shapes and colors. They look quite elegant.
• Satin ribbons. Bright satin ribbons go well with beautiful textiles. This is the easiest, most inexpensive way to decorate a table. You just need to tie napkins folded into an interesting shape with ribbons. Additionally, the ribbons can be decorated with rhinestones. They are simply glued to the surface using quick-drying glue.

Form

The shape of the tablecloth is selected depending on the shape of the table. Tablecloths of any shape, for example, square and rectangular, will look harmonious on round and oval tables.

Naperons can have any regular or irregular shape.

Important: for a more impressive table setting, you can combine tablecloths of different shapes. For example, lay a square tablecloth on top of the main round tablecloth. In this case, the colors of the two tablecloths should be contrasting.

Napkins, including under-plate ones, most often come in square or rectangular shapes.

Rules for using cutlery

In order for the evening to be amazing, each guest and family member must follow certain rules of behavior at the table. We are taught this from early childhood. The child is taught how to hold a fork and use a spoon correctly. However, few people explain the rules for using napkins. They also exist.

Dimensions

Tablecloth

The size of the tablecloth depends on the area of ​​the table. To choose the appropriate option, you must first measure the table. For a square table, one side is measured, for a rectangular table - the length and width, for a round table - the diameter, for an oval table - the small and large diameter. Then you need to add the length of the tablecloth overhang. In accordance with etiquette, the length of the hanging tablecloth is between 20-40 cm.

Thus, for a table measuring 120x180 cm, the size of the tablecloth will be 160x220 cm. The most common tablecloth sizes are: 130x160, 130x230 cm (for rectangular tables) and 160 cm (for round tables), 130x150 cm (for folding tables).

Important: if you cannot accurately select the size of the tablecloth for the table, then you should prefer a long tablecloth to a shorter one. This rule is especially true if the edges of the tablecloth are decorated with elegant patterns or edging. It should be borne in mind that very long tablecloths may be uncomfortable for guests.

The muleton is made strictly according to the size of the table.

Napkins

Typically, the size of napkins is 30x30 cm. There are also larger napkins measuring 40x40, 45x45, 50x50 and 60x60 cm, which are used to create various shapes and compositions. The larger the napkin, the greater the number of original compositions you can create.

What are plate mats used for?

Serving napkins are used for comfortable arrangement of dishes, glasses and other kitchen paraphernalia. With their help, you can protect the table and tablecloth from suddenly spilled drinks and food particles. Napkins are of great importance in creating a sophisticated environment. A carefully chosen stand can change the surroundings for the better. If the service has obvious disadvantages, the substrates can complement the interior and eliminate existing aesthetic shortcomings.

It is the set that protects the table surface and complements the interior.

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Stages of work

First, decide on the size of your future napkins. The most optimal option is 50 x 50 cm (workpiece size – 58 x 58 cm).
Next, mark the fabric and start cutting. All cuts should be as even as possible so that the napkins can be folded in different ways.

Place the pattern wrong side up. Fold the edges on all four sides 1.5 cm and press. Fold the edges in another 2.5 cm and press again.

Unfold all the folds and draw a line from the intersection of the folds at right angles to the diagonal of the napkin.

Cut the corner of the napkin along this line. 1.5 cm from the cut and stitch.

Before turning the sewn corners of the napkin right side out, you need to iron the fabric on each seam on both sides. Turn the corners right side out and stitch the edges of the napkin around the perimeter.

The finished napkin can be ironed and starched.
You might also be curious to know how to sew chair covers. This article will tell you how to restore a chair using decoupage.

Read about how to make original seats for chairs here.