| They Are Quick, Easy And Fun Gifts For Young And | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| Old To Make For Family And Friends. | | | | A rolled edge works well on light to medium weight |
| The trick is in the folding to make the napkin look like a | | | | single layer napkins. |
| Christmas Tree. | | | | A rolled edge may not work on the double layer |
| Let the kids cut some out of paper and decorate their | | | | fabrics or heavier fabrics. Test it first. |
| own. | | | | Try using a narrow satin balanced stitch instead. |
| Use them as name tags, decorations, Christmas Tree | | | | Note: If you get the "Pokies", try wrapping the napkin |
| ornaments and napkins, of course. | | | | bias edges in Solvy (a water soluble stabilizer) and |
| Napkins can be either single or double layer of fabric. | | | | then serge. Wash the Solvy away when finished. |
| They can be any size you want them to be. The | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- |
| example I am using here is a 14-1/2" | | | | Conventional Machine Satin Stitch Finish |
| Use some pretty Christmas prints or some unusual | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- |
| decorative fabrics. | | | | If you don't have a serger, you can use your |
| One year, I used a lacey fabric and rolled the edges | | | | conventional sewing machine. |
| with a gold metallic thread. Then, I hung them on my | | | | Finish the edges with a satin stitch sewing in from the |
| tree. It really looked pretty. | | | | edge using a stabilizer such as water soluble Solvy. |
| You really don't have to sew these napkins if you don't | | | | You may want to spray starch the napkins again |
| want to. You can use decorative edge craft scissors | | | | before stitching. It might help. |
| to cut the fabric and not finish it with sewing at all. | | | | You can apply "Fray Check" to the outside of the |
| You can even use paper napkins if you like. Have fun | | | | stitching when you are finished to seal the edges. |
| with this idea. | | | | Let it dry and then trim off any excess fabric. |
| Less than a yard of 45" wide fabric makes 6 napkins | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| single layer or 3 double layer. | | | | Fold and press the napkin into a Christmas Tree |
| 1-5/8 yards makes a dozen single layer napkins. | | | | Shape. |
| Preshrink all fabrics. | | | | Here are the folding instructions. |
| I also like to spray starch my fabric before I cut and | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| serge or satin stitch the edges of my napkins. | | | | 1. Fold the napkin in half and press well. We will call this |
| Cut Napkins into 14-1/2" circles. | | | | fold the center fold. |
| To make a paper pattern, draw a circle 14-1/2" in | | | | 2. Fold again into quarters and press lightly. This is a |
| diameter. | | | | temporary crease that we will use as a guide to |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | establish the fold we actually want. |
| Here is how to make a compass to draw your | | | | 3. Open back up to the 1/2 fold again and measure 1-1 |
| pattern. | | | | 4" above the temporary quarter foldline. |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | 4. Fold the napkin "back" along the 1-1/4" new line (the |
| Tie a string or ribbon to a pencil. | | | | one above the quarter fold) and press well. We will call |
| Measure the string back from the pencil 7-1/4". | | | | this fold, Fold A. |
| Put a pin in the string/ribbon at that point. | | | | 5. Now you have a fold at the top, (Fold A) and the |
| (7-1/4" is the radius or 1/2 of the diameter of the 14-1 | | | | lower part of the center fold to your right. |
| 2" circle.) | | | | 6. The upper part of the center fold that you just |
| This is your compass to help you draw your circle. | | | | turned down, we will call Fold B. |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | 7. Take the top Fold A and bring it over to meet the |
| Here is how to draw your pattern. | | | | center fold edge to your right and press in place. |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | 8. Now bring the upper portion of the original center |
| Place some tracing paper down and put the pin in the | | | | fold (Fold B) over on top of Fold A and to the lower |
| center. | | | | portion of the center fold edge and press again. |
| Now, extending the string, and using the pencil, draw a | | | | Voila! There you have a Christmas Tree. |
| circle out all around the pin 7-/4"away. | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| This creates a 14-1/2" circle for your napkin pattern. | | | | Decorate your trees |
| Label it and keep it for future napkins. | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | Add a bow, jingle bell, decorative Christmas button or |
| Single Layer Napkins | | | | whatever at the top of the tree if desired. |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | Embroider each family member's name on his/her |
| Serge finish with the right side up on your serger. | | | | napkin. |
| I like to use the rolled edge finish on most of my | | | | Use decorative stitches, paint or decorate your tree |
| napkins. It depends on the fabric. | | | | napkins any way you like. |
| Feed the circle of fabric to the knife slowly letting the | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| knife shave off a little of the fabric. | | | | More Ideas For Smaller Trees |
| Slightly overlap the beginning stitches about 2 inches. | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| Seal the end with "Fray Check". Let dry. Trim off the | | | | Consider making smaller circles into trees, add a ribbon |
| thread tails. | | | | loop at the top and use them to decorate packages |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | or to hang on your Christmas Tree as ornaments. |
| Double Layer Napkins | | | | Use up lots of that stash! It is easy! |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | Or, how about letting the kids cut some circles from |
| Place 2 circles wrong sides together. | | | | paper napkins and have them decorate their trees |
| Make sure one circle's straight grain matches the other | | | | with crayons, stickers like stars, glitter glue, etc. |
| circle's bias grain. | | | | They could give them to family members, classmates, |
| This will minimize flared edges. | | | | teachers, etc., use them on packages, hang them on |
| You can also apply slight differential feed to eliminate | | | | the big tree, or use them as place cards at the dining |
| flared edges. | | | | table. |
| Or you might want to baste the two layers together | | | | Be creative. You are the designer. Have fun making |
| to help hold them while you finish the edges. | | | | your Christmas Tree napkins! |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | It just makes sense! |
| Serge Finish Edges With A Serger | | | | Happy Holidays! |