What you need to sew a set of dinner napkins
Dinner napkins are one of the fastest sewing projects because they are straightforward squares of fabric with finished edges. You need fabric (cotton or linen works best), thread that matches or complements your fabric, a sewing machine, scissors, and an iron. Most people finish the edges with a straightforward rolled hem or a flat-felled seam, both of which take minutes once you understand the steps.
A standard dinner napkin is 18 inches by 18 inches, though some people prefer 20 by 20 inches. If you are using fabric scraps, you can make smaller napkins (16 by 16 inches) and they work just as well. You will need one piece of fabric per napkin, cut to size with a quarter-inch seam allowance on all sides — so for an 18-inch finished napkin, cut your fabric 18.5 inches by 18.5 inches.
Key Takeaways
- Cut fabric squares to finished size plus a quarter-inch seam allowance on all four sides, then press them flat before hemming.
- A rolled hem is the fastest finish and works on any fabric; fold the raw edge a quarter-inch, press, fold again, and stitch close to the fold.
- A flat-felled seam creates a more structured napkin and hides all raw edges inside the fold.
- Press your napkins after sewing so the hems lie flat and the napkins look finished.
- One napkin takes 10 to 15 minutes once you have cut and pressed the fabric.
Cutting and pressing fabric before you sew
Lay your fabric on a flat surface and use a ruler and rotary cutter, or a measuring tape and scissors, to cut squares to the size you want plus a quarter-inch on all sides. If your fabric is wrinkled, press it with an iron set to the heat level safe for your fabric (check the bolt end or care label). Wrinkled fabric will not fold evenly when you hem, and your napkins will look unfinished.
After cutting, press each square flat again. This takes 30 seconds per napkin and makes the hemming step much easier because the fabric will not fight you when you fold the edges. If you are making a set of four or more napkins, cut and press them all at once — it is faster than doing them one at a time.
The rolled hem method (fastest finish)
A rolled hem is a narrow, rounded fold that runs along the edge of the napkin. It is the quickest finish and works on any fabric weight. Start on one side of your napkin. Fold the raw edge toward the wrong side (the back) by a quarter-inch and press it with your iron. Then fold that same edge over again by another quarter-inch and press. You now have a small, folded edge with no raw fabric showing.
Stitch close to the inner fold — the fold that is closest to the body of the napkin — using a straight stitch and matching thread. Sew slowly so the needle catches both layers of the fold. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the napkin 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue. Repeat this fold-press-stitch sequence on all four sides. The whole napkin takes 10 to 12 minutes.
The flat-felled seam method (structured finish)
A flat-felled seam creates a napkin with crisp, structured edges and all raw fabric hidden inside. It takes slightly longer than a rolled hem but produces a more formal look. Place two pieces of fabric with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. Sew a quarter-inch seam around all four sides, leaving a 2-inch opening on one side so you can turn the napkin right-side out.
Trim the seam allowance to an eighth-inch, then turn the napkin through the opening so the right sides face out. Press the napkin flat, paying special attention to the corners and edges. Fold the opening edges inward by a quarter-inch and press, then stitch the opening closed with a ladder stitch (a nearly invisible stitch that runs inside the fold) or a straightforward straight stitch close to the edge. Press the finished napkin one more time. This method takes 15 to 18 minutes per napkin.
Pressing and finishing your napkins
After you finish hemming all four sides, press the entire napkin with your iron. This sets the stitches and makes the hems lie flat. Use a pressing cloth (a thin cotton cloth or even a clean kitchen towel) between the iron and your napkin if you are worried about shine or scorch marks. Press from the back side of the napkin first, then flip and press the front.
If you made a set of napkins, stack them neatly and press them all together as a stack — this saves time and keeps them uniform. Your napkins are now ready to use or to fold and store in a drawer.
Choosing fabric and thread for your napkins
Cotton and linen are the best choices for dinner napkins because they absorb moisture and hold their shape through washing. Quilting cotton is affordable and comes in thousands of prints and colors. Linen is more expensive but lasts longer and softens with use. Avoid slippery fabrics like polyester or satin unless you have experience sewing them — they shift under the needle and make hemming frustrating.
Match your thread color to your fabric, or choose a neutral thread (white, cream, gray, or black) that will not show if your stitches are slightly uneven. If your fabric is a busy print, a neutral thread is usually the safest choice. If your fabric is solid, matching thread is nearly invisible.
Troubleshooting common napkin-sewing problems
If your hems are wavy or uneven, you are probably not pressing the fold firmly enough before you stitch. Press longer and harder, or use a pressing ham (a small, firm cushion shaped like a ham) to help set the fold. If your thread is breaking, your needle may be bent or dull — replace it with a fresh needle and try again. If your corners are bunching or puckering, you are probably sewing too fast. Slow down and let the machine feed the fabric at its own pace.
If your rolled hem is rolling back on itself after you wash the napkins, you may have folded it too loosely. Press the fold more firmly before stitching, and make sure you are stitching close enough to the inner fold that you catch both layers. If you are making napkins from a fabric that ravels (shreds easily at the edges), a rolled hem is your best choice because it seals the raw edge completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a serger to finish napkin edges?
Yes. A serger creates a rolled edge automatically and is much faster than a sewing machine for this project. If you have access to a serger, thread it with matching thread and run all four edges through. You will finish a napkin in 3 to 4 minutes. If you do not own a serger, a rolled hem on a regular sewing machine works just as well.
What size should dinner napkins be?
Standard dinner napkins are 18 by 18 inches finished size. Some people prefer 20 by 20 inches for a larger lap napkin, or 16 by 16 inches for a smaller cocktail napkin. The size you choose depends on your table and how much fabric you have available.
Do I have to press napkins after sewing them?
Pressing is not required, but it makes a huge difference in how finished your napkins look. A pressed napkin lies flat, the hems are crisp, and the stitches are set. Unpressed napkins look homemade in a less polished way. If you are making them as a gift, pressing is worth the extra 30 seconds per napkin.
Can I make napkins from old sheets or fabric scraps?
Yes. Old cotton sheets make excellent napkins because the fabric is soft and absorbent. Cut them into squares, hem the edges, and you have a set of napkins. Fabric scraps work too as long as each scrap is large enough to cut an 18-inch square (or whatever size you want) plus seam allowance.
How do I keep napkins from fraying in the wash?
A rolled hem or flat-felled seam both seal the raw edges so they cannot fray. If you use a rolled hem, make sure the fold is tight and the stitching is close to the fold. Wash napkins in warm water and dry them on low heat or hang them to dry. Napkins made from quality cotton or linen will hold up to many washings if the hems are sewn securely.