Molly's Sketchbook: Linen Thanksgiving Napkins

I love sewing napkins for Thanksgiving. They are such a simple and fun way to dress up the table and you can use them all year long. In fact, I like making them so much that I've made a new set for The Purl Bee every year since 2006!  My main goal for this year's set was that they be quick and simple while still being beautiful and different from year's past.

We recently received a big shipment of linen fabric from one of our favorite companies, Globalweave. They are based in India and specialize in incredible embroidered and block printed fabrics (which we have made exclusively for Purl Soho in hand-picked color ways). They also make stunning linens that range from the jewel toned Sheer Linen and Open Weave Linen, to undyed, rustic Linen Solids. Shipments from Globalweave often come from India wrapped in burlap and sewn shut by hand which always make them seem like such a speical treat. After unpacking the latest shipment of their lovely linens I knew I had to make this year's Thanksgiving napkins with of them.

I chose the natural Sheer Linen and paired it with one of our bright and seasonal Fire Spectrum Bundles. I love the look of the natural, nubby, undyed linen framed with the rich tones of red, brown and orange. Since the fabrics themselves were already so pretty next to one another, and since the operative word here was simple I sewed them up using a quick technique for clean mitered corners; no bias binding or fiddly hand sewing required!  If you'd like to make your own set please visit my Linen Thanksgiving Napkins Project Journal right here. Happy Thanksgiving!

You can find our previous Thanksgiving napkins here:

• 2006- Molly's Handmade Napkins
• 2007- Molly's Thanksgiving Napkins
• 2008- Fringed Thanksgiving Napkins
• 2009- Handstitched Napkins

Comments

[Mauri]

has it been a year already since the last ones?? :)
as always, gorgeous!

[lbnyc]

Love these!! Your streamlined, elegant patterns are always enjoyable :)

[Loretta]

The HOLIDAYS are upon us - unbelievable.What a wonderful tradition you've created. Your colors are lovely. I also love the homey photo.

[Ruth]

Do you have a kit for these? I would love to click just once :)

[Cheryl]

these are lovely and a great little addition to the Thanksgiving table. I have only one question.
Did you prewash your color fabrics that you used on the binding and the other side of the napkin? I would hate to go through all the trouble of making these and then my fabric colors would run.

[Stephanie in Michigan]

Those are really very beautiful. I really like them a lot! Great job! Ruth is right...kits would be ideal!

[Stephanie in Michigan]

So pretty I reblogged and linked back to you. I hope that's okay! http://peasinapod.typepad.com/peas-in-a-pod/2010/10/mollys-sketchbook-linen-thanksgiving-napkins-knitting-crochet-sewing-crafts-patterns-and-ideas-the-purl-bee.html

[purl bee]

Hi Cheryl,
Yes, definitely wash the colored fabrics before sewing (and the linen too!)

[Cerise]

I LOVE these! Such a nice look contrasting the linen with the colors.

[Cassandra]

How smart and elegant! These are definitely going on my to-do list!

[bambinosteps]

I have loved seeing each set of napkins, each year. And wow. Globalweave linen is so luxurious looking. The sea green? Be still my heart.

[Erica K]

They're lovely!