Hi Sewing Friends:

Here is one of my most popular gift items to make for Christmas.  Make Christmas tree napkins whether you sew or not.  You will love them for yourself or as a hostess gift.  Kids have fun making Christmas trees, too.  Let them help. 

Happy Holidays!

Marian

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Make Christmas Tree Napkins Whether You Sew Or Not

by Marian Lewis

©2006 Marian Lewis – All Rights Reserved

Sewing Project Tips

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Sew Some Christmas Tree Napkins, Name Tags and Ornaments!
A Quick And Easy Gift Even If You Don’t Sew!

Make Christmas tree napkins to give as gifts to family and friends at holiday time.
Stitch up a set for yourself, too! They are quick, easy and fun to make.

You only need a little fabric and time. The trick is in the folding and pressing to make the circular napkin look like a Christmas Tree.  Just follow the instructions to fold your napkins to look like Christmas trees.

Napkins can be either single or double layer of fabric. They can be any size you want them to be. The example here is a 14-1/2″

Use some pretty Christmas prints or some unusual decorative fabrics.

One year, I used a lacey fabric and rolled the edges with a gold metallic thread. Then, I hung them on my tree. It really looked pretty.

You really don’t have to sew these napkins if you don’t want to. You can use decorative edge craft scissors to cut the fabric and not finish it with sewing at all.

You can even use paper napkins if you like. Have fun with this idea.

Less than a yard of 45″ wide fabric makes 6 napkins single layer or 3 double layer.
1-5/8 yards makes a dozen single layer napkins.

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Instructions To Prepare Fabric

Preshrink all fabrics.

You might like to spray starch your fabric before you cut and serge or satin stitch the edges of your napkins.

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Cutting Instructions

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Cut Napkins into 14-1/2″ circles.

To make a paper pattern, draw a circle 14-1/2″ in diameter.

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Here is how to make a compass to draw your pattern.

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Tie a string or ribbon to a pencil.

Measure the string back from the pencil 7-1/4″.

Put a pin in the string/ribbon at that point.
(7-1/4″ is the radius or 1/2 of the diameter of the 14-1/2″ circle.)

This is your compass to help you draw your circle.

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Here is how to draw your pattern.

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Place some tracing paper down and put the pin in the center.

Now, extending the string, and using the pencil, draw a circle out all around the pin 7-/4″away.
This creates a 14-1/2″ circle for your napkin pattern.

Label it and keep it for future napkins.

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Single Layer Napkins Sewing Instructions

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Serge finish with the right side up on your serger.

You will probably want to use the rolled edge finish on most of your napkins. It depends on the fabric.

Feed the circle of fabric to the knife slowly letting the knife shave off a little of the fabric.

Slightly overlap the beginning stitches about 2 inches.

Seal the end with “Fray Check”. Let dry. Trim off the thread tails.

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Double Layer Napkins Sewing Instructions

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Place 2 circles wrong sides together.

Make sure one circle’s straight grain matches the other circle’s bias grain.

This will minimize flared edges. (That’s a cool tip!)

You can also apply slight differential feed to eliminate flared edges.

Or you might want to baste the two layers together to help hold them while you finish the edges.

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Serge Finish Edges With A Serger

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A rolled edge works well on light to medium weight single layer napkins.

A rolled edge may not work on the double layer fabrics or heavier fabrics. Test it first.

Try using a narrow satin balanced stitch instead.

Note: If you get the “Pokies”, try wrapping the napkin bias edges in Solvy (a water soluble stabilizer) and then serge. Wash the Solvy away when finished.

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Conventional Machine Satin Stitch Finish

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If you don’t have a serger, you can use your conventional sewing machine.

Finish the edges with a satin stitch sewing in from the edge using a stabilizer such as water soluble Solvy.

You may want to spray starch the napkins again before stitching. It might help.

You can apply “Fray Check” to the outside of the stitching when you are finished to seal the edges.

Let it dry and then trim off any excess fabric.

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Fold and press the napkin into a Christmas Tree Shape.

Here are the folding instructions.

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1. Fold the napkin in half and press well. This fold is called the center fold.

2. Fold again into quarters and press lightly. This is a temporary crease that you will use as a guide to establish the fold you actually want.

3. Open back up to the 1/2 fold again and measure 1-1/4″ above the temporary quarter foldline.

4. Fold the napkin “back” along the 1-1/4″ new line (the one above the quarter fold) and press well. This fold is called, Fold A.

5. Now you have a fold at the top, (Fold A) and the lower part of the center fold to your right.

6. The upper part of the center fold that you just turned down is called Fold B.

7. Take the top Fold A and bring it over to meet the center fold edge to your right and press in place.

8. Now bring the upper portion of the original center fold (Fold B) over on top of Fold A and to the lower portion of the center fold edge and press again.

Voila!  There you have a Christmas Tree!

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 Decorate your trees

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Add a bow, jingle bell, decorative Christmas button or whatever at the top of the tree if desired.

Embroider each family member’s name on his/her napkin.

Use decorative stitches, paint or decorate your tree napkins any way you like.

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More Ideas For Smaller Trees

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Consider making smaller circles into trees, add a ribbon loop at the top and use them to decorate packages or to hang on your Christmas Tree as ornaments.

Use up lots of that stash! It is easy!

Or, how about letting the kids cut some circles from paper napkins and have them decorate their trees with crayons, stickers like stars, glitter glue, etc.

They could give them to family members, classmates, teachers, etc., use them on packages, hang them on the big tree, or use them as place cards at the dining table.

Be creative. You are the designer. Have fun making your tree napkins!

It just makes sense!

Happy Holidays!

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Sewing Projects - Make Christmas Tree Whether You Sew Or Not

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Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, “Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants”, find out step-by-step WHAT you really need and HOW to apply that to commercial sewing patterns for fitting pants and skirts . It just makes sense!

Finally, you can make pants fit and end your fitting frustration.

Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, “Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids” and “Classy Designer Straight Skirt” where she teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques.

Discover FREE sewing projects and Sewing Success News.

If you enjoy sewing, visit Marian’s sewing sites for more sewing tips and techniques. It just makes sense!

Website: 1st Step To Sewing Success- http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com

Blog: Sewing Success Sewing Blog - http://1ststeptosewingsuccess.blogspot.com

 Blog: Sewing Project Tips - http://sewingprojecttips.com

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