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How to Make No Sew Fabric Napkins

No Sew Fabric Napkins

Fabric napkins always add a bit of ambiance to any table setting.  However, the cost of pretty embellished fabric napkins can add up quick.  My solution?  Make your own no-sew, embellished fabric napkins!  You could absolutely sew these napkins, but 1.  I hate dragging out the machine and 2.  not everyone sews. On to the tutorial:

No Sew Fabric Napkins

 

Supplies

No Sew Napkin Supplies
We will get to the purposed of that red and orange striped towel in a minute.
  • Fabric Squares: I have used a faux linen here.  You could also use a cheap plain fabric napkin.
  • Fabric strips: 17-20 inches in length and .5-1 inch in width
  • Heat’n Bond iron on adhesive
  • An iron
  • A towel An ironing board

Step 1 Prepare the Fabric (not shown)

I am going to save you the boredom of seeing a picture of me me cutting a 17 inch square of fabric.  Just remember if you aren’t going to hem the fabric pick a tight weave that you can fray a little bit of the ends.  If you are new to buying fabric look for a one that doesn’t have tons of strings hanging off the cut end.  Also cut some thin strips of fabric.  If you do not have excess/scrap fabric laying around, then I suggest just buy some of the tiny quilting samples (like the 1/8 yard).  You do not need a lot of fabric at all.

Step 2 Lay Out the Heat Bond

Laying out Heat'n Bond
I promise I will explain the towel in a second.

Lay out a one tiny strip of Heat’n Bond.  Make sure to start and end the strip right inside the fringe.  I know it is hard to imagine this almost transparent item will do anything, but I can promise it will!  Finally, lay one strip of colorful fabric over the top.

Step 3 Irons Away

Iron setting the heat'n bond
And now to that ugly beach towel!

Alright here is where I tell you, in the immortal words of Genesis’ Jesus He Knows Me , do the following directions as “I say, don’t do as I do.”

Here is where you should read the directions on the Heat’n Bond.  Iron carefully etc.

However, I have had mighty good results with throwing a towel down, cranking up the iron and slapping it together.  The ugly beach towel is a lot easier to grab than finding out where exactly I have stuffed the ironing board in the basement.

So step 3 really just consists of ironing.

Step 4 Trimming

Finishing no-sew cloth napkinsFinally, just trim the excess fabric to the edge of the fringe.  If any area doesn’t feel secure you can always tuck a little more Heat’n Bond under the fabric and iron.

Notes

Yes these are washable!  The fabric may fray more (though I like the look) and if you dry them with heat some of the Heat’n Bond may loosen.  I am so lazy that I keep some Heat’n Bond by the iron to fix no-sew items or torn hems on pants.

Thursday these napkins will get used to create the perfect in a full Place Setting.

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6 thoughts on “How to Make No Sew Fabric Napkins

  1. Visiting from the link-up and love your napkins! I think they’d be really great to make custom for a dinner party or other special occasion!

    1. Thanks for dropping by! It is super quick so if you wanted to match a theme it would be easy to make these napkins in whatever color or pattern you needed.

  2. Great use of fusible strips! I’m a sewer but I could absolutely see myself using this technique then adding a little top stitch to the strips.

    1. I love to sew! I have used light fusible to stabilize applique before. It makes it so much easier to sew down without bunching or wrinkles. Especially if one of the fabrics is slick.

  3. What a great way to coordinate your napkins to any tablescape.

    1. Thanks. It is quick, easy, and versatile.

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