Roll 'em!

While we were away I received a flickr message about a new swap starting up. An easy one. An afternoon of sewing one. A swap for 4 very useful items my family uses daily: cloth napkins!

Building on her successful Potholder Pass swap group, Amy had this brilliant idea for a Table Top Swap and I could not resist. Who doesn't need 4 nice new napkins?  My partner requested coordinating, but not necessarily matching napkins, which made me happy because I am hoping for a similar set.  The four of us use cloth napkins at dinner and I try to keep them going for a few days (unless of course tacos are on the menu, in which case the napkins go straight to the laundry without passing Go!).

My issues with maintaining the same napkins over a few days are these:

1. We always forget who used which napkin 
2. The napkins are thrown in a pile on the kitchen counter, all messy-like

I had a bit of an inspiration that I'm hoping will resolve both issues. 

Napkin Roll-Ups!  Each one is made with a unique contrasting print band on a linen background and a linen loop sewn into the middle of one side. The napkins are backed with a Kona solid. Look what happens next:

The trick of course, will be to get the people to actually roll up their napkins. If that happens, the napkins will be all neat and tidy on the counter, just like this.

....or this (say what? YES, they are reversible!)

However, if all else fails and you've got a hook or doorknob nearby, here's another option.

If anyone is interested in making their own Napkin Roll-Ups, here are the supplies you need for ONE napkin. I think you could work out the construction on your own, but if you need any help, just ask!

15" square - Kona solid backing

15" x 3" contrast band

15" x 6 1/2" linen background (cut two)

1 3/4" x 7.5" linen strip (fold in 1/2 lengthwise, open, press raw edges to middle, refold, topstitch)