Molly's Thanksgiving Napkins

On Thanksgiving my friends and I always have a very fun, very huge, party. We usually have to improvise a table and don't end up eating until around 9. Last year I made these cute napkins for my gathering and they turned out to be a very popular project. This year, however, I'm doing something totally different and going to my boyfriend's parent's house in Washington DC. (I'm thinking of going to to this quilt show while I'm down there...)

Since it will be a smaller (and hopefully earlier) gathering I decided to make a set of six Thanksgiving napkins, but with a more sophisticated feeling. I followed the pattern from last year, but I used the amazing new Yuwa Silky Dots in Red/Violet for the binding. Despite it's name and sheen this lovely fabric is actually 100% cotton. For the main panel of the napkins I used two different Shot Cottons. I used the color Moor on one side, and Cassis on the other. The subtle glow of the shot cotton compliments the silky quality of the binding.

The background fabric in the photo above is Kokka's Black Flowers by Nani Iro.

If you want make these napkins, just visit my Handmade Napkin Project Journal from last year, but with the following adjustments:

 

For Six Napkins

 

Materials

• 2 yards Yuwa Silky Dots in Red/ Violet
• 1.5 yards Shot Cotton in Cassis
• 1.5 yards Shot Cotton in Moor

Cut Fabric

• six 16" squares of the Shot Cotton in Moor
• six 16" squares of the Shot Cotton in Cassis
  

You will only need 6 binding strips.

Sew Fabric

Everything comes together in exactly the way pictured, just use two 16" pieces (one in Moor and one in Cassis) as if they were one panel. Make sure the corners and sides are all lined up well. They should stay together pretty easily  without any sort of adhesive.

 

Note

Since the binding fabric is so fine and silky I recommend using a ballpoint needle on your machine. It won't pierce the fine threads but rather push them out of the way which will keep the fabric from puckering along the seam. (Thanks to Heather Ross for this tip. I wish I'd known this while making my set!)

Enjoy! -- Molly 

Comments

[cindy k]

those are so pretty - i don't think i'd use one ;)! have a wonderful thanksgiving.

[lindsay]

Hi, I'm a recent reader. I just finished your new book and own your Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I love your style and your taste. This blog is a lovely addition to your publishing enterprises. The next time I'm in NYC, I'd like to come in for a visit.
I was just wondering if you could enable your RSS feed on your blog. I've subscrbed through Google and would get pix if you do that. Thanks.

[purl bee]

Dear Lindsay,
I believe that the RSS feed is enabled? Look at the bottom of the right hand navigation column. Glad you're enjoying the blog! --Joelle

[Patches]

Thanks for posting this - I've been looking for something similar!

[rosemary]

Your boyfriend's family is going to be really impressed! These are beautiful.

[badecca]

Molly - you've outdone yourself. These are so beautiful and tasteful.

[Meredith]

I just started reading your blog but I have been admiring your site for so long. I'm a papercrafter who can't wait to get her hands on some crochet hooks and a sewing machine. My husband and I are moving to NYC next month and I can't wait to sign up for your classes (Purl Soho is #1 on my list) and on the way up we are stopping to get my grandmother's sewing machine! I can't wait. Thank you for the beautiful projects and inspiration!

[Erin]

Thank you for this entry! This Christmas I made these napkins for my three co-workers. They were a hit--but this was my first try at binding tape. While I found my bias tape maker easy to use, I had some trouble sewing the gorgeous Silky Dots binding tape cleanly onto the napkins in one try.
Given the small surface area of the tape and the slippery quality of the fabric, the back face of the binding tape tended to move/slip out of the path of the sewing needle. Of course you can't tell this until you turn it over after sewing! I had to re-sew along the "back" to secure all faces of the binding tape to the napkin, which made for less-than-perfect edges.
I have several theories (surface of the sewing machine, inexperience with binding tape, more frequent pin placement) and am hoping that you can speak from your experience with binding tape and in particular the Silky Dots fabric!
Keep up the great work. :) PS-they loved the napkins despite the less than perfect edges. Perhaps only I would notice...