Tuesday, April 10, 2012

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. 

Reversible Napkin rollups

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:

Napkin Roll-Up How-To

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.

Reversible Napkin rollups

Reversible Napkin rollups
....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.

Reversible Napkin rollups

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)

27 comments:

Tracey Jacobsen said...

you do such pretty work Krista... I should know. :) these are great!

Tammy said...

Wonderful napkins, Krista. Welcome home! Those cathedral floors remind me of quilt patterns.

Amy Friend said...

The loop was a great idea. I love all the coordinating shade and patterns you scrounged up! Your partner will be thrilled. Can't wait for the next round now right? :)

Anya said...

Love these!!!!

pinksuedeshoe said...

Love these. Like, a lot. Putting them on my to sew list for this summer! Pretty!

felicity said...

Everything about these is fabulous! Cloth napkin users represent! Woot!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Great idea for whenever we grow out of the babywipes:) Love the oranges!!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I love these. My DIL will love these. Which will probably totally earn major points as a fab MIL. Hoping so anyway...

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

If you saw the state of the paper towels my kids use, you will understand if I don't let them anywhere near the fabric!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Genius. Fabulous. Posh.

alidiza said...

I LOVE the loop, what a fabulous idea!!! So bummed I just finished making napkins for my kids... next time: )

Susan said...

What a brilliant idea! This needs to be patented!!

Sandi said...

Great idea Krista,

Another way to identify the owner of the napkin that might work is if your chair backs have an upright support you could loop it over the back of your chair that you always sit on!

The ultimate recycling gift.

Leanne said...

Those look lovely, and the built in napkin holder/loop is a very creative solution!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

YOU are SEW-SEW smart!! LUV this idea!

hugZ,
annie
anniesrubyslipperz.com

Corrie said...

They are lovely. Where is the guest napkin for your SIL that lives down the street and arrives at your house at 5:30 p.m. "Dinner you say...that would be delightful."

I am glad they only take an afternoon to make because you have a Birthday purse to make. You asked me to remind you but maybe not so publicly.

CB

Nova said...

these are SO fab Krista!

Andrea said...

Love them!

Andrea C said...

Awesome idea!

Pétra said...

I love your napkins! One lucky swapper will get them I need to start on mine.

CitricSugar said...

Those are so cool! Love how they are coordinated but different enough to have a recognizable one for each person.

I prefer cloth napkins, too, but I save them for company. For everyday, I use tea towels. Much less worrying about stains on taco day.

Karen M said...

You are very clever. Your swap partner should be VERY happy with your napkins.

Dianne said...

These are fabulous Krista! Your creativity always impress' me! Must say I almost PMP laughing at Corrie's comment!!!

PinkGranny said...

Great solution! I would like to have a set for myself and this is great inspiration. How clever to simply make them coordinate!

Have a grand Thursday,

Mardell

Unknown said...

those are so great Krista. the loop? so smart!

Judith said...

They look fantastic and would look great on a dinner table.

elnorac said...

What an inspiring project! Your napkins came out absolutely gorgeous. Yum, yum!