DIY T-Shirt Cloth Napkins

For some reason it was really bothering me that my kids were obsessed with wiping off their fingers.  One would get the washcloth and wipe off their face for 0.2 seconds and then suck all the dirty water out of the washcloth.  Ga-ross!  The other would go through about 3 paper napkins per meal and since I store them too high for my children to reach (on purpose), I would have to get up multiple times per meal to help them. About this time, I remembered that I'd been meaning to keep an eye open for cloth napkins at garage sales and thrift stores but I always forget.  I looked into buying cloth napkins but they are kinda expensive especially since I don't do laundry every day and I wanted to have enough for every meal if need be.  Finally, I decided to make some of my own.  I scoured pinterest and found these adorable ones.

I liked the idea (check out the tutorial) but I didn't want to have purchase a ton of fabric for every day use.  So I decided to make some upcycled napkins. The best part about this whole project is that my closets are getting cleaned out and junk is actually going to get used! I decided to create a short tutorial.  These things are easy-peasy especially when I got my system down.  This is the perfect project for sewing newbies or to use to teach your children how to sew.  

DIY T-Shirt Cloth Napkins

Materials - fabric (I used equal parts old t-shirts and leftover quilting cotton but you could use just about any type of fabric that makes you happy) 

Sewing machine 

Thread 

Sewing scissors

1. Start by cutting your fabric into a rectangle or square.  Since these are more "family" napkins as opposed to "company" napkins, I didn't make them all the same size.  I just cut as many as I could out of each t-shirt.  They all ended up being around 8in x 12in.  I think it works the best to use a rotary cutter but you could use scissors. 

2.  Also cut a rectangle of your quilting fabric to match the size of your t-shirt rectangle.  Pin these together with the front of each fabric facing each other.  

3. Sew all the way around the edges except for one 2 in opening on the side of your choosing. 

4.  Cut the edges and turn your fabric inside out.  Then iron it so that it lays flat. 

5. Top stitch around the edges of the napkins and you are done!  

Seriously.  That is it.  I made 9 of these yesterday. Today I want to try and make some with left-over flannel instead of the t-shirt material.  We all love them.  I put them in an easy to reach spot so that Kira can help herself and also set them out as she sets the table.  

Crunchy mama for the win!