Easy Peasy Gift Idea

I have made these for years.  This set is for my aunt from my mom & somehow I am the one sewing:)  Did you know that the average American uses 7 trees worth of paper napkins each year?  That's just napkins not counting all the other paper 'stuff' we use.  I am not a freak, but I do like to do my part in trying to produce less garbage and do what I can to help the environment.  The shopping bags are a blast, buuuuut something else that is just as much fun is a set of cloth napkins.  I have a set for every holiday as well as a couple of extra sets just because.  I seldom use paper towels or napkins.  It's great, I don't run out & I get to play with fabric.  I will work backwards here to show you how.

First, decide how big you want your napkins.  For my everyday napkins, I make them about 15 inches square.  That makes it easy as far as figuring - you can get three from about 15 inches of fabric.  The width of fabric varies a little so I just measure and divide by three.  Depending upon the fabric, sometimes they are only 14.5 inches square.  That's fine too.  More formal napkins are usually a little larger - maybe 18-20 inches square.  At that measurement, you get 4 out of a yard to yard and a quarter of fabric with a strip left over to put in a table runner - see a bonus either way.

Once you have decided and have your fabric cut into squares, it is time to sew.  I have a rolled-hem foot for my old machine (okay, I hear you - one of my old machines.)  This makes it easy.  I just continue one right after the other then snip them apart and move on to side two.  You do want your finished edge to be at the bottom of your sewing edge as you work.  The unfinished edge is easier to feed into the foot.  When you get to the last side, you have to make a little rolled hem and place it under the foot to get it started - at least for this very small one.  Some of the rolled-hem feet make a little larger hem, and they seem to be a little easier to feed.  If you don't have the presser foot, you can just make a small rolled hem as you would on most sewing projects.  I have made hundreds of these, so I love my foot!  Now that's something you don't hear every day.

I like to frey check the corners when I am finished just for good measure, but that is entirely optional. 

I don't quite have this set finished yet - I'm getting there, but it is really cute fabric so I am enjoying it.  Just think, another excuse reason that is to buy fabric (and help save a tree too.)  Have a beautiful day.

As always, Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.

Vintage Linens: Focus, Edit, Forward

Just wanted to share a little bit with you.  I have been cleaning out the sewing/fun room.  After having the epiphany that just because I like something, doesn't mean I will do something with it. I have decided to part with A BUNCH of vintage linen and lace pieces.  This will allow me to focus my efforts on those things I enjoy most (quilting:)  Nearly everything in our home is a deeper richer color.  I have no pink, blue, or primary colors (with the exception of one small room that is a buttery yellow, if you want to count that.)  I just adore and appreciate those hand tatted and crocheted laces.  And the embroidered pictures on doilies - they're entirely charming.

I was asking myself, "Self, why do you like these?"  Self rambled on for a really long time - won't bore you with that, but the fact that someone put effort into making something pretty - and that something was most likely appreciated by many.  Did you get that?  They made something, didn't buy it, order it, or expect it from someone else - they made it. They put thought and effort into it.  Those are French knots in the photo above.  Beautiful!

I think that's why I like quilting & more specifically, hand quilting.  It reminds me of a time when things weren't expected, they were worked for, they were a rarity.  If you have ever known anybody who has lived through the depression, they can tell you.  They made their own undergarments - wow! how boring.  I am so thankful to have the privilege to work on something pretty and fun.  So, with all that, my collection is going on a major diet(editing.)  I have posted a bunch in my etsy shop, and I am not finished.  I will probably be posting them over the course of about a week.  If you like linens take a peek.  If there are several you are interested in, you might email me before you purchase them - I might be able to help on shipping cost if buying multiple items.  It's crazy that one little item costs almost as much to ship as several in the same size pkg.

So, I am cleaning house and moving forward - need to get busy on that Cathedral Window quilt.  Only need 9 more yards of background - whew!  Heading over to the Walla Walla Quilt show tomorrow.  I bet I'll be able to find a yard or two there.

Until next time Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches