Making Cloth Napkins

     For as long as I can remember, we used cloth napkins for any special dinner. Even as a little girl, I loved them. I thnk it always felt a little sinful, like wiping your mouth on your best dress.( I am just a tad ODD).Recently I rediscovered cloth napkins at a wonderful little restaurant in Sawyer MI called Louisa"s.  We can't stay away because the breakfast there is the best we have ever eaten.  The restaurant in charming and they use the most wonderful cloth napkins ever!  They are all different and are handmade. It just took a second time there and I began making cloth napkins.  I started out making them just like those at Louisa"s. Large double-sided cotton napkins about 18"square, and I made them out of anything I could find in my fabric basket. I save everything and I am so glad.  I didn't have to rush out and buy any pieces of fabric.  I think I made approximately thirty in the next few days.  They are wonderfully soft, wash and dry beautifully with no ironing, and feel just a little sinful. They are so simple to make that I couldn't believe that I hadn't done this before. 

     Since then, I have thought of many things to make napkins out of, including a skirt I never wear and even a beautiful shirt of my husbands that had a tiny stain on, but was no longer wearable. I also have laid out a way for anyone to make napkins , no matter what your sewing skills are.

     Everyone should have and use cloth napkins. It will save our nation tons of paper waste daily, save trees, and we can teach our children and ourselves the art of Napkin Origami. The holidays are fast approaching and there is still time for all to create their own beautiful cloth napkins.