How To Sew Cloth Napkins With Mitered Corners – Week 12 of the Needlework Challenge

Welcome to Week 12 of the 52 Week Needlework Challnege!

Today, I’m sharing a simple yet elegant sewing project: cloth napkins with mitered corners. These napkins are a beautiful addition to any table and make wonderful gifts. Plus, they’re an eco-friendly alternative to disposable napkins. Let’s dive into the steps!

Materials You’ll Need:

• Fabric of your choice (cotton, linen, or any medium-weight fabric works well)
• Ruler of Sewing Gauge
• Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
• Sewing pins or clips
• Iron and ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread

Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Fabric

Start by selecting a fabric that complements your style and decor. I think 100% cotton is the best to use as it’s easy to work with and it’s absorbent, there’s nothing worse than a polyester napkin that pushes the food all over your face and does nothing to wipe it away!

Wash, dry, and press the fabric to pre-shrink it and ensure smooth sewing. Cut the fabric into squares. A standard size for cloth napkins is 18” x 18”, but you can adjust to your preference. My squares are 14″ x 14″.

Step 2: Mark and Fold the Edges

1. Lay your fabric square wrong side up on a flat surface.
2. Using a ruler, mark a line 1/2 inch from each edge and fold the fabric along this line. Press with an iron.
3. Fold the edge over again by another 1/2 inch, enclosing the raw edge, and press. This creates a clean hem.

Step 3: Create the Mitered Corners

1. At each corner, unfold completely and note where the folds intersect (I’ve drawn a line to make this easy to see).
2. Draw a line diagonally through the square that’s formed from the folds (see photo).
3. Fold about 1/4 inch from the edge and finger press.
4. Refold the hems on the adjacent sides, aligning the mitered corner neatly. Press and pin in place.

Step 4: Sew the Napkin

1. Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch.
2. Start in the middle at one edge of the napkin, sewing close to the inner folded edge. I used a 1/8th” seam allowance. Sew around all four sides, pivoting at each corner.
3. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitches.

Step 5: Final Press

Give your napkin a final press to ensure crisp edges and corners. Repeat the steps for additional napkins to create a set.

Tips for Success:

• Use a fabric with a pattern or weave that hides wrinkles (and stains) for easier maintenance.
• Consider using contrasting thread for a decorative touch.
• Practice mitered corners on scrap fabric if you’re new to the technique.

And there you have it—beautiful, reusable cloth napkins with professional-looking mitered corners! If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check out more sewing projects on Jayne Stitches and the 52 Week Needlework Challenge.

Happy stitching!

Jayne