DIY No Sew Linen Napkins. I’m sharing an easy, budget-friendly tutorial to make soft and fluffy cloth napkins with NO SEWING!
These DIY No Sew Linen Napkins, which I promise are super easy, give you a tremendous bang for your buck. Linen napkins are the best. The more they are washed, the softer they get. At the end of the post I am sharing my linen source too. You might be surprised where it is.
DIY No Sew Linen Napkins
A.) Decide what size you want your napkinsto be, and then cut squares one inch larger. My napkins were 18 in. so I cut my squares 19 inches. DO NOT PREWASH THE LINEN.
B.) Starting on one side, start pulling threads. Linen ravels quite easily so it won’t be hard. Pull the threads until you get one continuous thread that runs along the entire side. At this point you will need to trim your fringe so it is even.
C.) Pull enough complete threads so your fringe is at least 1/4 in. I usually pull enough threads so my fringe is a bit longer than that. Just eyeball it.
D.) When all your sides are fringed, it’s time to wash and dry the napkins. When they come out of the dryer, there might be some stray strings. Just trim them off or pull them out. Use a hot iron to press but don’t be too particular. Linen has incredible texture so let it shine.
Source to make your own cloth napkins
Now it’s time to share my linen source so you can make your own custom cloth napkins. I think I have mentioned this before but it is worth repeating. When I opened my Etsy shop, I looked and looked for 100% linen that I could afford. Believe me it was not easy to find. I started out buying on eBay but that soon turned into an unpredictable situation. I knew I needed someplace I could count on to get the same linen all the time.
JoAnn Fabric turned out to be the answer. This Sew Classics linen comes in 3 colors. Natural, White and Black. The natural is a darker, flax color and is my favorite. The white is actually a soft ivory and not a bright white. I have never purchased the black but I’ve seen it in the store. It’s just as nice as the others. It sells at full price for $19.99 but I never pay that. I always buy when it’s on sale or I have a coupon. It’s very affordable and excellent quality.
For more incredible no sew inspiration make sure to stop by these blogs!
Atta Girl Says – No Sew Fabric Clothes Hangers
Confessions of a Plate Addict – No Sew Burlap Bunny Ear Silverware Pocket
StoneGable – No Sew Woven Burlap Table Runner
The Everyday Home – No Sew Moss Pillow
Worthing Court – No Sew Roman Shades
Special Guest:
Marty’s Musings – No Sew Window Valance
(The Joann links are not sponsored. I just love the linen and wanted to share.)
Stefie says
Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 5:15 amAaahh thank you so much for this tutorial, Ann :)
I dont have a dryer at home, can I just wash it and air dry them?
Thank you once again!
Caitlin says
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 9:50 amHi, I am hoping to create napkins for my wedding using this method and block print them. I really love an Essex cotton/linen blend, so that is what I’m considering using, but do you think this method would work still even if it isn’t 100% linen? Hoping to save time not having to sew them all, since I’ll then have to block print them all. Thank you!
Mia says
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 8:05 amHow many yards would you buy to make 50 napkins?
Ann Drake says
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 8:01 pmHi Mia…the linen in this post (from JoAnn) is 53 inches wide (approx.) If you cut 20 inch squares, you will need about 14 yards of fabric. You will have a strip of fabric about 13 inches wide left over, but I don’t think there is any way to avoid this. If you can find 100% linen that is 60 inches wide, you can get three squares width wise. Then you would need about 10 yards of fabric. I hope this helps!
Evelyn Schipper says
Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:26 amThank you for the link to the best linen for raveling.
Karen says
Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 5:56 pmWhat temperature of water did you use to wash your napkins?
Dryer temperature? I just don’t want my napkins to shrink too much. My finished size with the fringe edge is approx. 17 inches.
Ann Drake says
Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 5:04 pmHi Karen,
I wash them in warm water and on the normal dryer cycle. It’s perfectly fine to wash them in cold water and on a delicate dryer cycle. They will shrink a little but hopefully not too much.
Amy says
Monday, March 17, 2014 at 8:50 pmLove the natural -looking linen napkins with the natural elements on your table. And, oh, those green ball glasses are great!
mila bassett says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 9:06 pmI think these napkins are timeless, and will fit in many styles. Would love to add these to my collection of napkins.
Ann, how do you deal with stains (grease, pasta sauce, etc.) on them? Is it safe to use bleach?
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 1:00 pmHi Mila! I don’t use bleach. I like Oxiclean stain remover spray. It comes in a blue bottle. It gets almost anything out. The only thing that was a fail was ink. I agree…linen is timeless!
Peggy says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 5:43 pmI am a linen fanatic and buy my linen from fabrics-store.com. Their prices can’t be beat, they have great customer service, and their linen comes in a variety of weights and many colors. They are in LA and I’m in San Diego so if I order early enough in the day, I will get the fabric the next day otherwise it is usually the following day. Try them out.
Erin says
Friday, June 15, 2018 at 12:05 amI ordered these and they’re very different than what her photo shows. Feeling disappointed. Hopefully it pans out ok.
Ann Drake says
Friday, June 15, 2018 at 2:34 pmHi Erin…I’m not sure what you are referring to. I don’t actually sell the napkins. They are a DIY project. What did you order?
Cindy says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 9:07 amWhat a great project and super easy! Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Caroyn says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 8:58 amI love these napkins. I actually searched your shop a few days ago to see if you sold any napkins. Looks like I’ll be making my own. Thanks for the simple tutorial.
Sharyn Davis says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 7:49 amThank you for sharing this project, Ann. Another source for linen is fabrics-store.com
Dawn says
Monday, March 10, 2014 at 7:09 amThese are the perfect napkins for every occasion, and I now want those green jars.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 9:55 pmAnn, these napkins are really exquisite! They look very very expensive. Thanks for the tip about you best linen source. I think I’ll make a set for me and one for each of my girls.
These have to be my favorite no-sew yet!
Tina says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 9:05 pmHello there, I just stumbled onto this site for the first time, and just love the idea of those napkins! My question though, wouldn’t the linen continue to unravel with each time you wash them?
I have quite a bit of linen that’s been hiding in my closet and would love to put it to use. But I’d hate to waist it on a project that would eventually fall apart. Thanks!
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 1:05 pmI’ve washed my napkins several times and they are just fine. The weave tightens quite a bit after laundering so they really don’t ravel much more. There are stray strings that I just cut off.
Cindy Mittlesteadt says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:53 pmThanks Ann for this nice “anyone can do it” post. My daughter and her husband use cloth napkins everyday. This is a great idea for a gift or something Natalie can do to “fluff her nest”. I love picking up vintage linens at Estate Sales so I am right with you on their appeal. They can be dressed up with embroidery, lace, applique. I never trust the cut edge the store makes. So everybody, never cut out a bunch of squares then start fringing. It will be out of square and your napkins will be cocktail size by the time you are done. And you will have to say that was the plan all along!
Jeanette Duke says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:51 pmYou ladies are so much fun!! I love all these goodies you all are making—so now I have to get busy.
I made some napkins many years ago but not linen. I will give them a go, yours are so pretty.
Thank you, Ann
debbiedoos says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:44 pmThe frayed edges look awesome. I may have to go do that to my drop cloth napkins. These are so pretty Ann!
kelly says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:43 pmI love those napkins! Anything “no sew” gets my attention. Thanks for sharing your source for the material. There is a Joanne’s about 30 min from my home. I like that store but don’t get over there that often.
Becky says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 9:40 pmThanks so much Ann. Blessings, Becky
Kim says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:35 pmCute napkins and thanks for the linen source. I agree that it is difficult to find good quality affordable linen and now I know where to find it!
Arleen says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:08 pmI know it’s almost spring but those napkins would make great Christmas gifts!
Your blog is great. Thanks for sharing.
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:03 pmI love your linen napkins, Ann! It is always such a wonderful fabric…and who knew how easy it is to turn it into napkins! I am loving working with our no-sew group!…hugs…Debbie
Colleen Lang says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 7:59 pmWhat is the fabric width on this linen? And, does is shrink a lot? I bought some linen napkins and when I washed them they shrunk quite a bit. Not enough to be an issue, but more then I thought they would. Thanks for the info! :)
Ann Drake says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:09 pmThe width is 54 in. It does shrink a bit and I usually prewash if I’m sewing with it so it’s not an issue. It even thickens up a little after it’s washed and dried. Thanks for stopping by!
Atta Girl Amy says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 7:21 pmYour table is beautiful and so are the napkins, Ann. I’m clicking over now to buy me some green mason jars — they’ve been on my to-buy list for a while — and I’m also eyeballing those chargers!
Excited to be no-sewing with you again this month! So fun to see everyone’s projects.
Linda P. says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 7:02 pmHi Ann, The napkins are lovely. You are so kind to share how to make them and the source for the fabric. I love your blog. You are so talented and so kind in sharing.
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:16 pmThese are lovely , Ann. Linen always looks so elegant, however and wherever it’s used. I never knew making napkins from it could be so simple! Thank you for sharing your source too.
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:13 pmAnn, I love your linen napkins with the frayed edges and thanks for sharing your source. I just happen to be going to JoAnn’s tomorrow to pick up a few other supplies so I will look for the linen. And your new chargers are beautiful!
Nan Alderson, Odessa, DE says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:08 pmSo do we ask at Joanne’s for 100% cotton fabric by the yard? Details!
They are lovely. Wanna try it!
Ann Drake says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:17 pmAsk for Sew Classics 100% linen. Don’t get the “linen look.” Have fun!
Barb @ The Everyday Home says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:06 pmAnn I would have never know you could wash the linen after it was raveled. I love that. There is nothing quite as pretty as real linen is there? That is also one of my favorite colors, too. I have those same white chargers. I had a gift card and used it to buy 3 of them and splurged on the other 3. I love them! Pretty table as always. xxoo, Barb
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:05 pmPretty napkins, and they would look great with Yvonne’s no sew table runner. Great projects y’all are featuring!
xo,
RJ
Becky says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 6:37 pmYour napkins are beautiful. I’ll have to stop by my local JoAnna.
By the way where did you find the green mason jars? I have been looking for them. Blessings…. Becky
Ann Drake says
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 8:12 pmYou can get them on Amazon.com. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H40COY4?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B00H40COY4&linkCode=shr&tag=onsutpla-20&qid=1394413883&sr=8-2&keywords=green+ball+jars
Thanks!