Cloth Napkins


Happy Earth Day! Last year I made a bunch of cloth napkins using the rolled hem feature of my serger. And, while we used them a lot in the beginning, I kind of forgot about them and paper napkins crept back into our lives. (Although, I must admit that paper are better for cleaning up spilled lemonade and for packing in my boys' lunches. I'm afraid I'd never see them again if they were in a lunchbox.)

I am trying to be more mindful of our waste. I find myself asking, "Can I reuse, reduce, recycle, or repurpose this?" about everything. I recently discovered our town has a receptacle just for paper recycling. That makes me giddy. We get tons of papers from school, so now I can load it up and drop them off at town hall.

So, in honor of Earth Day, I am giving away this set of six cloth napkins. They are made from thrifted, vintage (therefore repurposed) sheets that are leftovers from various projects. If you'd like a chance to win them, please leave a comment on this post today. I will randomly pick a winner tomorrow morning.

* * * * * *
The winner of the cloth napkins is:

Marty said...
I've been going to make some cloth napkins for a while now. Winning these would save me some precious time. I agree-some things just work better with the paper. I should re-purpose some of my sheets, but I have the habit of using them until they almost fall apart.

Marty, please email me your mailing address.

Comments

Brenda said…
I haven't started using cloth napkins. But, for a while now I've used old dish cloths or wash cloths for cleaning up messes, instead of paper towels.
8:48 AM EDT
arbecky said…
I've just recently started using cloth napkins and I love them. I would love to add these to my collection.
9:00 AM EDT
Rachael Adele said…
Thanks for being so generous!
9:06 AM EDT
LunaMoonbeam said…
Oooh...me want.

Those fabrics are so pretty!!!
9:35 AM EDT
Jessica said…
so so pretty! sign me up! :)
10:19 AM EDT
Stacey said…
Oh, how sweet of you! Those look wonderful. :)

Have a great Earth Day....
10:42 AM EDT
Lisa said…
I keep saying we're going to switch, but I haven't sat down to make any. This would certainly jump start us.
10:45 AM EDT
sforme said…
I love cloth napkins and yours are lovely! When my six were young we used paper! Susan in Oregon
11:14 AM EDT
misschris said…
Oh you know I would love these...

We're cloth-exclusive here, but I have to believe that's easier in a house of 4(almost 5) than 8... Just sayin'. I'm not sure where you'd keep them all.
11:29 AM EDT
Suzanne said…
They're lovely Lera, just like everything you make.
11:31 AM EDT
lisa said…
Me too please!
11:33 AM EDT
nikko said…
Beautiful! We've transitioned from paper towels to rags for cleaning and spills, but haven't made the change to cloth napkins yet. I keep meaning to make some, but the thought of hemming them all with no serger makes me cringe. LOL.
12:02 PM EDT
Karyn said…
I made cloth napkins last year and much to my surprise, I use them all the time!
12:23 PM EDT
Anonymous said…
Hi,
I'd love your napkins. All of mine are white, with the loveliest stains!
Jenny
12:39 PM EDT
Sam said…
I want to win! Cloth napkins are on my list of to make. Thanks for the opportunity!
12:41 PM EDT
jessica said…
hooray for anything made from thrifted sheets!
1:45 PM EDT
diana said…
Awsome!!! i really need to get that foot for my serger so i can make some of these too!!!
1:51 PM EDT
Anonymous said…
Happy Earth Day! We keep our cloth napkins in a basket in the dining room, and putting the napkins on the table is my three year old's regular contribution to setting the dinner table. But we haven't transitioned away from paper towels yet...must work on that.
2:21 PM EDT
Tricia said…
We only use cloth napkins. Actually they are burp cloths- my children are 2 and 5.

I could use some pretty ones.
2:44 PM EDT
Lisa Boyer said…
They're so pretty! I love cloth napkins. Thanks for the giveaway.
2:46 PM EDT
Becky said…
We have been using cloth napkins for a couple years now. I would love to add these to my collection.
3:44 PM EDT
Emily said…
I love using cloth napkins. I have a really hard time finding nice cloth napkins. With the amount of sewing I do, I'm not really sure why I haven't just made some! These are lovely.
5:17 PM EDT
Valerie said…
Beautiful napkins! Though I'm generally fairly green I have to admit, I have never used cloth napkins. I think when the kids were really little I just lived in fear of them being utterly destroyed the first spaghetti night they encountered. Now that they're a bit bigger I think I should start! Thanks for the reminder :)
6:08 PM EDT
dig this chick said…
Thanks for sharing all of your craftyness. You are amazing. Love the napkins!
6:45 PM EDT
Mearaid said…
Beautiful napkins, I think I would be afraid of staining them.
8:50 PM EDT
Sandy said…
Such cool napkins and a great way to "go green". Count me in.
9:14 PM EDT
Marty said…
I've been going to make some cloth napkins for a while now. Winning these would save me some precious time. I agree-some things just work better with the paper. I should re-purpose some of my sheets, but I have the habit of using them until they almost fall apart.
10:06 PM EDT
Mam said…
I've been using cloth napkins for years but never thought of re-purposing sheets. Thanks for a generous giveaway. When my children were small I used face clothes for lunch boxes and picnics rather than napkins. Love your blog.
5:25 AM EDT
Lana said…
I love coming and looking at all your projects. We're a fam of 8 so I didn't enter but the napkins are so cute!
7:54 AM EDT
Marty said…
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have e-mailed you my mailing address.

I will use them with pleasure-every day to make them very useful, and I'll think of you when I do.
3:23 PM EDT
Amanda Jean said…
those are so cute!!! i love how you repurposed the sheets.

personally, i prefer paper napkins. (sadly.) i want like cloth napkins...we do use them occasionally, but not regularly. maybe i'll try it again.
9:09 PM EDT
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