Do you spend hours and hours preparing the perfect meals, even art directing and styling them a bit to make them extra appealing, ala Pinterest? When you want your presentations to look extra amazing, you need to make sure your table accessories and decor match the loveliness of the food. In fact, even when food is simple, the tablescape will make or break the look. Napkins and placemats are key, and we have decided you should absolutely make all of yours. For whatever reason, those offered in stores are just not the same quality as handmade ones. When I moved into my new house, I went shopping in an attempt to outfit the breakfast room with linens. I was sadly disappointed to see the choices offered when it came to placemats and napkins, and I could not find anything close to what I wanted. I went searching through the ideas on Pinterest and found more DIY ideas than I could possibly want (or make) From dip dyed, stenciled to hand-painted to easy sewing patterns, the handmade napkins and placemats belong on your table. Check out the step by step tutorials and get to making some this weekend. A super thing to keep on hand for DIY gifts, too, people love them!
2. Tie Dyed Cloth Napkins
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
I put off trying tie dye for ages because I assumed it would be messy and difficult, and I was wrong on both counts. Plain cloth napkins take the color beautifully and they are perfect for a cookout table. Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom talked me into it.
3. DIY Burlap Placemats
Burlap and a length of ribbon is the whole material list, which is why I managed a full set in one evening. They bring instant farmhouse warmth to the table and they suit fall especially well. The Country Chic Cottage has the how to.
6. DIY Dip Dye Placemats
designlovefest
12. Stenciled Buffalo Plaid Placemats
Buffalo plaid makes a table look pulled together with almost no effort, and stenciling it onto plain placemats is far easier than I expected. I love that the whole set coordinates for the price of a single stencil. Funky Junk Interiors has the tutorial.
18. Citrus Print Tea Towels
I stamp citrus slices straight onto plain linens and the result is as fresh as anything I could have bought. The same technique works on napkins, towels and anything else white in the kitchen. It is cheap and it is quick. Here is my method.
21. Rose-Folded Cloth Napkins
If your table feels a bit boring, this fixes it in about a minute per napkin. Folded into a rose, an ordinary cloth napkin becomes the decoration itself, which is my favorite kind of shortcut. I use it for showers, weddings and any meal I want to feel special. Here is my fold.
24. Cork Stamped Cloth Napkins
I save wine corks without any real plan, and this project justified the whole collection. A cork becomes a block printing stamp, and inexpensive tea towels turn into patterned napkins with a graphic, modern look. Mad in Crafts shows you how.
25. How to Sew Cloth Napkins
Reusable napkins are one of those small swaps I have never once regretted. There are two easy ways to sew them, including proper mitered corners, and neither one is difficult. I made a whole stack in an afternoon. AppleGreen Cottage lays out both methods.
36. DIY Linen Fringe Napkins
That fringed edge is what makes these, and I cannot get enough of the technique. Soft linen napkins finished this way look elegant enough for a Thanksgiving table and they only improve with washing. The Girl Inspired has the whole tutorial.
37. DIY Double Sided Cloth Napkins
thehappyhousie
