Cocktail Napkins for Mimi ++++++++

28 Apr Cocktail Napkins for Mimi ++++++++

Mimi is my daughter not my grandmother.

For me, life was humming along until the coronavirus brought everything to a screeching halt. I had just finished my French Jacket from the Palm Beach workshop and was preparing to sew for a trip to Aruba this month.

Like so many of you I made masks for whoever needed them….. healthcare workers, family, friends, clergy and church staff. I sewed dozens upon dozens of masks breaking most of my machine needles and using all of my elastic.

My husband set up a home office and we began eating  e v e r y  meal together………… same dishes, same napkins, same centerpiece. No complaints………

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Revisiting my big box of primarily cotton scraps for mask-making resulted in a trip down memory lane that I didn’t want to end. Amy Butler fat quarters I bought just because they were pretty, remnants from children’s clothes, the Girl Scout quilt, home dec projects… After finishing the masks I left the box in my sewing room and waited for it to speak to me.

It spoke and I listened.

I’ve always been a big believer in working with what you have, but rarely am I forced to do it. I knew giving these scraps new life would indeed bring pleasure to myself and others.

Just as a pair of new earrings or shoes can inspire new outfits from your closet, a few new napkins did the trick for my table.

The fabric is from Amy Butler’s Mid-West Modern Collection (Amy, I miss you – please design fabric again!) I particularly loved experimenting with the decorative stitches on the Creative Icon with a Wing Needle.

Alfresco! 

Amy Butler’s Mid-West Modern and Linen from Mood Fabrics punctuated the old estate sale china … The linen was my first online order nearly 9 years ago, and I had no idea what I was doing. From the moment I opened the box, the fabric reminded me of a tablecloth. 😉

Summer napkins for Katie.

The fabric source is unknown, but after making one napkin cut on grain, I cut the remaining on the bias so the hem would be uniform throughout the design. The picture below drove me a little crazy.Last but not least, are the Mark & Graham inspired cocktail napkins for Mimi.

I was smitten by the photograph in the catalog of the ribbon bound napkins available in seersucker and linen. Although they look simple I had to develop a technique for successful assembly.

Note the Mark & Graham napkins are bound on all sides which turned out to be bulky and cumbersome with my linen. In my opinion the stacked monogram and 2-sided ribbon combo strike just the right balance of embellishment!  I downloaded the monogram from Etsy – HarringtonDesigns.

Following is the tutorial:

Grosgrain Ribbon Linen Cocktail Napkins

For Each Napkin:

• One 7 ½” x 9 ½” piece of linen
• Two 7” pieces of 5/8” grosgrain ribbon
• Matching Thread to the Linen
• Matching Thread to the Ribbon
• Two 7” Strips Steam-a-Seam

Directions:

1. Turn under 3/8” on each 9 ½ “ side of the linen. Press. Turn under again.
2. Stitch close to the fold using an edge-stitching presser foot.
3. Apply Steam-a-Seam to each grosgrain ribbon strip and press.
4. Fold the width of the ribbon pieces in half and press again.
5. Peel backing from Steam-a-Seam.
6. Turn under ends of ribbon to match the width of the linen.
7. Slip the ribbons over the raw edges of the linen. Press so they adhere to the napkin.
8. Check to ensure the ribbon is placed evenly on the linen and press.
9. Stitch using and edge-stitching presser foot.

To Embroider:

The design is up to you. Monograms are best placed 1 1/8” above the bottom edge of the napkin. I found a heavy tear away stabilizer worked best. The design should be small enough to allow the napkin to fold comfortably but large enough to pop.

 

Last year Pfaff sent me two metal Embroidery hoops that I really love – the creative™ Petite Metal Hoop and the creative™ Grand Metal Hoop. The fabric and stabilizer are secured with magnets, eliminating the need for hooping. These hoops are perfect for heavier fabrics or RTW pieces that can be awkward to secure inside the hoop.  Fabric placement is also easier.

There is no silver lining to the coronavirus, but with sewing as my vehicle, sheltering in place has allowed me to joyfully unite the past with the present.

Dear Readers, I hope you can stay safe, comfortable and healthy during the ongoing pandemic challenges. I think of you often.

Bottoms Up 😊