Linen comes from the flax plant.
Linen is a high quality fabric made out of the flax plant. This natural fabric can have a casual style, like hemp, or it can give a crisp, classic look to a sewing project. Linen fabric napkins are thick and durable, but they can get stained over time. These projects reuse older napkins that still have some wear in them.
Linen Blanket
Create a quilted blanket out of linen napkins. This is the perfect use for napkins that have been used and are stained on one side. Arrange the napkins in a square or a rectangle. Place contrasting or complementary colors together in lines. Take the first two napkins in the row and place one right-side up, the other right-side down. Sew them together along one seam, then open them. Both will be right-side up and the seam will be on the bottom. Sew each napkin to its neighbor in the row. Sew the rows together using the process above. Cut a piece of cotton or satin that is a little larger than the blanket and hem it so there are no unfinished edges. Sew the material to the bottom of the blanket. This blanket is good for a doll bed, a child's bed or a picnic blanket.
Child's Princess Hat
Cut old linen napkins into four square segments each. Each square should be at least 3 inches square. Remove any segments that are badly stained or torn. Arrange the remaining squares in a triangle. At the top, have one square. Continue downward with two squares, three squares and four squares. Follow the piecing process outlined for the blanket. Sew each row together, then sew the rows to each other. Do this a second time until you have two quilted triangles. Sew a hem at the bottom of each triangle so the edge looks finished. Place one triangle face up and the other face down. Sew them together, but leave the bottom of the triangles open. Cut away any excess material on the sides. Turn the triangles inside out and you will have a quilted linen hat with a base the size of a child's head.
Simple Purse
Use a new or unstained rectangular napkin for this project. Fold the bottom of the napkin up to 1 inch above the middle of the napkin. Sew the sides together. Turn the project inside-out so the seams are on the inside. Use a second linen napkin to create the purse strap. Cut the napkin lengthways into a 2-inch-wide strap. Tuck the edges of the strap into the middle and create a hem on each edge. Attach the strap by sewing each end pointing downward on the inside of the purse. Flip the remaining fabric on the first napkin over the top of the purse to create a flap that hangs over the hole. If you wish, add sequins, patches or a button and buttonhole to the purse.
Fabric Flower
Use colorful linen napkins to make fabric flowers. Cut a rectangular napkin in half until you have two squares. Hem each square on the cut edge. Pinch the napkin in the middle until the fabric falls to the sides in a petal-like arrangement. Sew across the bottom where you have pinched the fabric to hold the pinch in place. Cut off excess fabric at the bottom. Sew a large, brightly colored yellow fabric button in the middle of the napkin to create a fabric flower.
Tags: linen napkins, bottom each, down them, down them together, flax plant, have quilted
