Monday, April 26, 2010

hybrid napkins


Something I have been wanting to do for a very long time is to make some napkins that are a combination of pretty cotton print and practical white cloth. I adore to set a pretty dinner table with cloth napkins but Ken much prefers to use an ugly white cloth because it's more practical and absorbent. I've been thinking, why not combine the properties of both and use a pretty cotton on one side, practical flour sack towel on the other, and bind them together with bias tape? So that is what I did (exactly once--so far this is the only one I've made)!
Here's what it looks like on the other side. I used a new flour sack towel (cut to size) for the back. Thoughts:
:: this one is a little small at 14 inches. Next time I'll try a 16 or 18 inch square.
:: I made my own bias tape but that seems a little silly for everyday cloth napkins. On the other hand I love the look of it.
:: I never have learned how to reliably apply seam binding. As a result, it's usually an exercise in frustration, with areas on the back not getting sewn down and the corners looking messy. I might ditch it and just sew these right sides together and turn them.
:: I think putting some time into this project would be worth it in the end. I do so love a pretty table and it would be awesome to have some napkins that Ken will use too.

In other news:
Green Smoothie Week came to an abrupt end when my blender broke on Saturday. I was so sad, but Ken went online immediately and ordered a replacement part. Thank you Ken!

I'm in the process of signing up for Freecycle so I can give away our crib to someone who would like it. If that works out I'll probably post my breast pump too as long as that's allowed. It sounds like a great organization.

14 comments:

Kate said...

The napkin looks really lovely. I'll store that idea away for when I have a couple of minutes! We are HUGE fans of Freecycle here. Great outlet for items--we picked up a very lightly used dishwasher through Freecycle. The best part is knowing that it's going to go to someone that really needs it!

Melissa Goodsell said...

I think the napkins are gorgeous with the bias, the colours are so warm and inviting.
Thank you again for the postcrossing link - I sent off 5 postcards today and the wait for my first ones to arrive might just kill me.

Rain said...

The napkin is lovely. I enjoy a beautiful table too. I need to put more effort into creating one more regularly. I always love your set tables, they're so inviting. Freecycle is great, we've been using it for a couple of years now and have been blessed by it. I'm including a link for you for finding a local c.s.a.
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Anonymous said...

They are really pretty with the bias tape and two different sides. Keep at it!

Sarah said...

I think the easiest way to machine sew on binding is with a zig zag stitch. In order to get it really *perfect* you have to do just like you would with a quilt, sew it to the front, flip it over, and hand sew it to the back. Way too much work!

Joy said...

I love it! So pretty! Let us know how Ken likes it. :) Our blender died on Saturday too, making margaritas, no less. Maybe we should start our own challenge when we get them back up and running. (We ordered a new one though since ours wasn't the greatest.)

Andrea said...

Very cute! I have that same problem with biased tape.

Denise C. said...

Love the napkin!

I parted with my breast pump on freecycle, I love that it went to another Mother who needed it. :)

I'm finally breaking down & am buying a blender (never had one in my 6 years of marriage) & a toaster (I'd use my oven).

Nicole Vangen said...

Freecycle is cool - however I sold my breast pump in ebay for $150!!! Used!!! They fought over it - I had so many bids. Of course it was super clean, had the original box...and they knew it was used. I wouldn't buy used but other people would.
Just sayin...

I love your new napkin. I like pretty too.

Nicole

One Acre Follies said...

Amy Carol has a great tutorial on seam binding at her blog, Angry Chicken.

Sarah said...

Oh, thought of you when I saw this today http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-attach-bias-tape-with-mitered.html

Connie said...

I bought a bias tape foot for my sewing machine and it makes sewing on tape a breeze!! They are very inexpensive and actually worked.
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Binding-Sewing-Machine-Presser/dp/B003267BQU

Teresa said...

Instead of bias tape, try sewing a contrasting-colored ric-rac on the edge between the two layers of fabric, right sides together. Be sure to leave an opening to turn the napkin right side out. Press and topstitch and you're done! The ric-rac edge makes a nice-looking border!

Mary Beth said...

Thanks, Theresa. I will try that!