Super Simple Christmas Tree Napkins
I love an easy craft that has big impact, and these Christmas tree napkins really fit the bill. They’re super simple to make, are customizable and so beautiful!
My mother is a crafter, kitchen wiz, and fabulous fiber artist. She made most of the clothes I wore growing up – the really cute ones, anyway.
When I was 13, she gave me a pattern and fabric, showed me how to thread a sewing machine, and taught me how to sew, a skill for which I’m eternally grateful. Mom’s favored fiber method these days is quilting, and she makes some beautiful ones.
A few Christmases ago, she handed me a pile of these napkins that she had recently whipped up, and off I went to set the table. So many beautiful fabrics, and the design is so simple, by the end of dinner I knew I had to have my own and wanted to share the design. You’ll need a sewing machine to make them, but even if you’re a beginning sewer, this is a perfect project to start. Your friends will be so impressed!
For the fabric, I headed to the quilt shop. Quilt stores have the best selection of prints. Look for “fat quarters,” as they work great for this craft.
A fat quarter is a special piece of fabric, sold already cut, that usually measures 18” x 22”. In quilt shops you’ll often see fat quarter bundles grouped into beautiful combinations. If you can’t find fat quarters, just buy ¼ yard pieces of material.
When choosing fabrics for this project, select one green, or tree-style design per napkin, and one complementary design for the opposite side.
To make the Christmas tree napkins, you’ll need:
Fabric – 2 styles per napkin
Ruler or drawing compass
Fabric marking pen or pencil/chalk
Thread
Sewing machine
Needle (for hand finishing)
· Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, so the piece is 18” x 11”. (If using standard cut fabric, just fold along the short side. You’ll have half-circles at the end, instead of full circles that need to be cut in half.)
· On the fold, or long side, mark the center of your circle.
· Measure the width of your fabric piece, this will determine the size of your circle.
· Using the ruler or compass as a guide, mark a semi-circle on the wrong side of the fabric.
· Cut along the marker line, then, cut the circle in half along the fold. (Omit this step if you’re using standard fabric.)
· Use this first circle as a pattern for cutting others.
· Continue cutting remaining fabrics until all are cut and matched up.
· Sew together semi-circles with ¼” seam allowance (right sides together). Take care to make sure corners are well defined with stitches. Stitch all the way to the edge to ensure sharper points.
· Leave open 2” space for turning.
· Turn circles right-side-out. Tip: Use a pencil or fork to help make the corners sharp.
· Press each napkin and slip-stitch closed the open space.
To present the napkins, start with the non-tree side facing up. Fold over about half way, then back, then back again. Adjust folds as needed.
As you can see, these beauties can be made to be formal or whimsical, depending on your fabric choices. And they don’t have to be exclusively Christmas decorations. The trees could be made in fall colors for Thanksgiving, or white and green to be used all winter long. Use your imagination, and enjoy!
