a purdy little house

Everyday DIY and decorating blog on a budget

No Fuss Table Napkins

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Hi All. Hope everyone had a great week. It was really busy getting back into the swing of things after the holidays, but nice to be back into a routine. By now you may have noticed I have a bit of a thing for table settings, and textures in the dining room. One of my favourite things about setting a lovely table is the napkins. I learned years ago that I could never seem to find just the right fabric and pattern for my napkins that complimented the table decor, and matched the different type of setting, so I decided to just make my own.

No Fuss Table Napkins

I use all sorts of fabrics too. From chenille, to upholstery fabric, to cotton. There’s no rules. I use whatever I think will work well. I usually make a set of 8 napkins, and it typically takes 2 meters to make 8. Not too shabby, especially when I keep an eye out for fabric that is under $10/meter. Way cheaper than buying individual napkins at a store, and WAY more fun, because instead of choosing from a selection of just a few, you can literally choose from hundreds of fabrics and patterns at your local fabric store. In Canada, we have Fabricland. Here are some of the napkins I’ve made over the past couple of years.

I love this ikat pattern, and this napkin is a heavy cotton. I mostly use this one for Christmas table settings, when I incorporate blues, silvers, and golds into the table decor, as it pulls all the colours together well.
I love this ikat pattern, and this napkin is a heavy cotton. I mostly use this one for Christmas table settings, when I incorporate blues, silvers, and golds into the table decor, as it pulls all the colours together well.
This one is actually an upholstery fabric, but I loved the colours and patterns so much, I didn't care. It works very nicely as a napkin, and I use this baby whenever we have company for dinner. It's definitely my go-to for the casual dinner party.
This one is actually an upholstery fabric, but I loved the colours and patterns so much, I didn’t care. The grey background colour matches my walls, so it’s perfect for any occassion. The fabric works very nicely as a napkin, and I use this baby whenever we have company for dinner. It’s definitely my go-to for the casual dinner party.
This chenille mossy green napkin is the softest of the bunch. It honestly feels nice to wipe your mouth with. I kid you not. I use this one with my Easter and Thanksgiving table, as the light green compliments both those colour schemes. Plus, this shade of green works well with golds which I also love to use.
This thick chenille mossy green napkin is the softest of the bunch. It honestly feels nice to wipe your mouth with. I kid you not. I use this one with my Easter and Thanksgiving table, as the light green compliments both those colour schemes. Plus, this shade of green works well with golds which I also love to use.
This is the newest addition to my ever growing napkin family. I LOVE this fabric pattern. It's music notes of Joy To The World. Perfect for my Christmas tablescape, and very easy to work with, since it's just cotton. I loved how much these turned out, so I also used them with my New Year's Eve table :)
This is the newest addition to my ever growing napkin family. I LOVE this fabric pattern. It’s music notes of Joy To The World. Perfect for my Christmas tablescape, and very easy to work with, since it’s just cotton. I loved how much these turned out, so I also used them with my New Year’s Eve table 🙂
I'm not a sewing expert by any means. The best I can do is basically just pillows and napkins. I'll talk about some pillows in another post, but for my napkins, I simply fold it over once, and then fold that over again, and sew it. That's it. Easy peasy. No special skills required. If you're really savvy, I suppose you could iron the folds first, or use that fabric glue stuff that you activate with an iron. I've tried it, and it's okay I suppose. I find just folding and sewing to be the most straighforward approach for me.
I’m not a sewing expert by any means. It’s considered a great accomplishment if the thread actually matches the napkin…..lol. The best I can do is basically just pillows and napkins. I’ll talk about some pillows in another post, but for my napkins, I simply fold it over once, and then fold that over again, and sew it. That’s it. Easy peasy. No special skills required. If you’re really savvy, I suppose you could iron the folds first, or use that fabric glue stuff that you activate with an iron. I’ve tried it, and it’s okay I suppose. I find just folding and sewing to be the most straighforward approach for me.
Now that we have our pretty napkins, they need some napkin ring holders of course. I love this one I picked up on clearance at Pier 1. They were $0.50 each. Gasp!!!! I know, right??? I love that they look like an old brooch, and that they have a 1920's thing going on.
Now that we have our pretty napkins, they need some napkin ring holders of course. I love these ones I picked up on clearance at Pier 1. They were $0.50 each. Gasp!!!! I know, right???
I love that they look like an old brooch, and that they have a 1920’s thing going on.
This one was also on clearance at Pier 1, but cost a bit more at $1.00 each. Still an amazing price. I love the peacock type feathers, and velvety soft ring. This one works for many different styles/occassions. I used this one for my New Year's Eve table.
This one was also on clearance at Pier 1, but cost a bit more at $1.00 each. Still an amazing price. I love the peacock type feathers, and velvety soft ring.
This one works for many different styles/occassions. I used this one for my New Year’s Eve table.
I found these mini chalkboard signs with twine at Michaels for $2.00 for a set of 6. Since I only have 6 of them, I tend to only use them for small casual dinner parties. They are very versatile and can also be used for labelling dishes at a buffet for example. I've also toyed around with the idea of using chalkboard paint on wood slices, but that may be a project for a different day.
I found these mini chalkboard signs with twine at Michaels for $2.00 for a set of 6. Since I only have 6 of them, I tend to only use them for small casual dinner parties. They are very versatile and can also be used for labelling dishes at a buffet for example. I’ve also toyed around with the idea of using chalkboard paint on wood slices, but that may be a project for a different day.
Here's a Christmas napkin ring holder. I just had to add the little name tag in, because it's adorable.
Here’s a Christmas napkin ring holder. I just had to add the little name tag in, because it’s friggin adorable.
There's also this gold napkin ring holder, showing a different way to display the napkin.
There’s also this gold napkin ring holder, showing a different way to display the napkin.
Or, we can get all "fancy pants restaurant brunchy" up in here, and do the fan type display in a wine glass. I actually did this for my Christmas table, and it turned out amazingly well.
Or, we can get all “fancy pants restaurant brunchy” up in here, and do the fan type display in a wine glass.
I actually did this for my Christmas table, and it turned out amazingly well.
Here is my collection of napkin ring holders. I'm thinking I may need the help of NRHA, Napkin Ring Holders Annoymous. lol. Wait until you see my collection of chandeliers...... oh my. What can I say? Some women collect shoes, otherscollect purses, and jewellery; I collect napkins and napkin ring holders (found at extrememly reasonable prices).
Here is my collection of napkin ring holders. I’m thinking I may need the help of NRHA, Napkin Ring Holders Annoymous. lol.
Wait until you see my collection of chandeliers…… oh my. Another post for another day. 
What can I say? Some women collect shoes, others collect purses, others jewellery; I collect napkins and napkin ring holders (found at extrememly reasonable prices).

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I love hosting dinners and special occassions in my home, and I know that perhaps it’s crazy to have so many napkins and napkin ring holders, but if it helps create a welcoming a warm atmosphere for friends and family to gather, and enjoy a meal with good company and lots of laughter, I say, it’s all worth it. Happy Dining all!!!!!

See you soon 🙂

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