This is a little bit of a detour from the stuff that's in store for the shop update Friday, but I just finished washing and pressing these little napkins I stitched up! They're from a tutorial in the October Martha...and I couldn't resist. I have an irrational hatred of paper napkins...plus, it seems wasteful to go through so many of them.
The raw materials, before heading off to be pre-washed (I think that wooden duck-on-wheels is a little jealous of my cool fabric):
This project severely depleted my stockpiles of ric rac. I thought I had more, but it seems I wasn't as rich in vintage ric rac as one might hope. These are the colors I chose for the napkin edges:
I stitched them up last night and this morning, and they're so cute! A few are a tiny bit wonky, but who cares? Here they are, drying out:
I think that the red/white polka dots with jumbo pink ric rac is my favorite. Or the burgandy with the cherry red trim...
I'm so excited to set the table for tonight's dinner guests with these little pretties!
Comments (45)
I wouldn't want to mess them up! I would end up staining them with all sorts! xxx
http://littlestitcher.blogspot.com/
little Stitcher · September 26, 2007 at 05:55 PM
They are gorgeous, beautiful fabrics. It's so much nicer to set the table with real napkins rather than the paper kind.
Linda · September 26, 2007 at 05:58 PM
I adore real napkins... I am inspired to make some myself... xo
A Fanciful Twist · September 26, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Oh Emily, they are soo cute!
Your friends are going to enjoy them a lot.
I feel the same way about paper napkins.
When I go to The Grove (some mall here in LA) they have a fancy restroom with these amazing paper napkins that look like fabric. I feel bad using them. I like to take a couple of them home and make napkin roses. When I was little someone taught me how to make flowers out of paper napkins and toilette paper. When we go to restaurants with our kids that’s the most successful way to entertain them.
Elsita · September 26, 2007 at 06:10 PM
Oh! I saw that too! Yours look fantastic - I'll have to add it to the long, and ever-growing list of sewing!
kelly · September 26, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Oh my!! I have long harbored a love of cloth napkins and these are just way too cute! The rick-rack just makes them, imho. :) Oh dear, looks like I might have to think about making a little stack for my "one day" home...
casey · September 26, 2007 at 07:06 PM
Very sweet! I have insisted on cloth napkins ever since I lived in a "green" house in college. They are so simple to use if you have enough on hand. I have a special little hamper in the laundry room just for napkins and dish towels. I just throw them in the wash whenever there's room in a load!
PS I am very impressed with your business. It is very inspiring!
Liz Harvatine · September 26, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Wow! Those are adorable!
Melissa · September 26, 2007 at 08:10 PM
These are so lovely and such a clever idea to use materials you love and make something that can be used time and time again and everytime bring such joy! I LOVE these! There's something so nice about setting a table for guests too (and banashing paper napkins - they're creepy!) :)
Rebecca · September 26, 2007 at 08:28 PM
oooh!! how cute!!! love them!!
britt-sparkled vintage charm · September 26, 2007 at 09:08 PM
oooh!! how cute!!! love them!!
britt-sparkled vintage charm · September 26, 2007 at 09:08 PM
These are so excellent!!! What a great idea for the environment too!
Julie · September 26, 2007 at 09:22 PM
now I have to make some! what cute gifts! thanks for sharing your finished product!
anne sheridan · September 26, 2007 at 10:26 PM
love them. love you.
elizabeth · September 26, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Oh I love the ric rac edge. Soooo sweet.
Kristin · September 26, 2007 at 11:14 PM
oooo so cute. i love them.
bec winnel · September 26, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Cute napkins!
I also really love those bee buttons a few posts back. They're perfect.
Shaylind Standing · September 26, 2007 at 11:42 PM
I'm thinking "matching table runner" or placemats!
These would also be cute as little table doilies, for people who don't want to "dirty" them.
Jen... · September 27, 2007 at 12:30 AM
So I was reading that pattern in MSL and got a bit lost on how they attached the rick rack and then folded the edges. Any tips/clarifications? Maybe it would have made sense if i'd been working through the pattern with actual fabric. Or had a bit more sleep. But i was confused.
You napkins look spectacular by the way so obviously you sorted this out...
Melissa H · September 27, 2007 at 02:14 AM
So cute!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura · September 27, 2007 at 05:47 AM
yes, so simple and darling
kate · September 27, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Oh my goodness, those are too cute! I love napkins that aren't plain white or solid colors.
EmilyR · September 27, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Wonderful, colorful and perfect!
Cherry Tree Lane · September 27, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Wonderful, colorful and perfect!
Cherry Tree Lane · September 27, 2007 at 10:08 AM
ya you are totally right emily about paper napkins... and i hear a great way to take stains out is boil your fabric in a pot with oxy clean and keep stirring until you see stain completely out. its makes whites whiter than white and stains completely come out. i havent tried it yet though. i dont have anything cool that got stained yet
kim* · September 27, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Adorable! I've got plenty of the rick-rack..just get all caught up in *everything's s'posed to match*. Argh. I love how these DON'T. Thanks for the permission ;-)
jen · September 27, 2007 at 11:45 AM
they ARE cute. Oh, good thing I have the October Living mag, too, so I can look up how/if she backs them, rather than trouble you.
I feel the same way about paper napkins. You know, I may just have to keep an eye out for ric-rac now...I suppose I COULD just sew up the napkins first, however.
inspiring, as always, miss em!
sarah · September 27, 2007 at 12:24 PM
SO SUPER-DUPER-WONDERFULLY-FABULOUSLY CUTE!!!!! I am officially converted, "no more paper napkins for me", I say! I have vintage fabric in my cupboard perfect for that and I am going to the fabric store for ric-rac now. Ok, as soon as I am dressed I will leave. Thanks for a great idea.
Danette · September 27, 2007 at 01:02 PM
They are so cool! You will be so proud to hav esuch classy napkins on your table!
Angel Jem · September 27, 2007 at 01:10 PM
I love them! Adding them to the "new things to sew" list :)
cassie · September 27, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Now I have another excuse (not that I needed one) to pick up the October Martha! They came out lovely, by the way.
sparklej · September 27, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I love the prints you chose.....and vintage ric rac is so dreamy! :)
Marjorie · September 27, 2007 at 01:55 PM
i don't know which i love more: your pretty little napkins or those great jars you have for storing your supplies!
krissy · September 27, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Dood! The napkins totally match the 'i love you I don't need you' art. :0)
jessica · September 27, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Oh loving the storage jars! you have such a passion for detail. Love the blog.
x
Yvonne Crotty · September 28, 2007 at 03:53 AM
I love your fabrics, where do they come from ?
And I love your work, your paintings, great blog !
Zimbo · September 28, 2007 at 04:02 AM
oh! I think I need some of these too now!
emma · September 28, 2007 at 05:09 PM
when will these go in the shop? love them! want some.
Sheri · September 28, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Ah these do look great, love the fabric patterns!
Kathy Ann · October 01, 2007 at 07:38 AM
I just love those napkins with the ric rac on them!!
Angie · October 02, 2007 at 08:11 PM
CUTE!!!
Starshine · October 03, 2007 at 11:42 PM
mmmmmm glorious!
jen · October 06, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Those are super-sweet and I agree about fabric vs. paper napkins!
Emma · October 07, 2007 at 04:32 PM
I have the same little string along duckies love them.
Persimmonsgal · October 16, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Oh oh..very nice! Now i know what do to with my ever growing pile of fabrics. And hey. I have that exakt silvery bowl-thingy.
Cheers.
/Peter
Peter · October 19, 2007 at 04:36 PM