To put the lace edges a cloth napkin is easy and you can do it without the hassle of hemming or mitering too. Not having to hem means saving on fabric and cost but best of all theres something about these cotton edges that look beautiful and luxurious. I bought a bundle of this cotton lace edging and none of them are the exactly same. For my style, I think it suits my rustic charm meets modern aesthetic just right. These soft linens become softer in time. This may be a DIY project but it brings warmth and texture to your space.
Getting Started & Preparing your materials
Choose the size of napkin you’d like from the napkin guide (formal, small, casual etc?) Make one line of stitching all the way around your fabric at about a 1/2-3/4 inch from the raw edge. The seam allowance shouldn’t be bigger than the width of the cotton lace you will sew on top.
This line of stitching will ensure the napkin doesn’t fray while you work with it and increase the longevity of the napkin. The image shows what you should have. It’s okay to sew off the corner as shown.
To sew the lace on, I place the lace in the corner and pin/clip the lace. You can fold the raw edge under but it will likely be hidden by the top piece.
I like to let the lace hang over the edge a bit to highlight the details. Once you have pinned or clipped the beginnings of your cotton lace, you will sew it in place.
Use a zig zag stitch if your lace, especially if your lace is delicate or has a lot of negative space/holes. Your seam allowance will depend on your lace design. I use as zig zag stitch with quarter inch seam allowance with my lace. I chose this because this is where the bulk of the fabric is and it would adhere well.
As you sew on the edge, you will eventually reach a corner. On the corners, fold the fabric away from the corner (see graphic.) Don’t fear the corner!
Then fold the lace back on itself making the edge straight. Continue sewing with the zig zag stitch along the inner edge of the lace at the seam allowance you chose.
[{"id":3302,"link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/3302\/adopt-a-national-park-a-project-based-activity-that-connects-the-big-empty-to-conservation\/","name":"adopt-a-national-park-a-project-based-activity-that-connects-the-big-empty-to-conservation","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/COVERIMAGES_web_fagan.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Adopt a National Park: A Project-Based Activity That Connects The Big Empty to Conservation","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"CourtneyNovack","link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/author\/courtneynovack\/"},"date":"Oct 27, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-10-27 16:24:42","modifiedDate":"2026-02-07 14:12:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-07 19:12:27","commentCount":"1","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/art-for-kids\/' rel='post_tag'>art for kids<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/art-projects\/' rel='post_tag'>art projects<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/book-tie-in-activity\/' rel='post_tag'>book tie-in activity<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/classroom-projects\/' rel='post_tag'>classroom projects<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/conservation\/' rel='post_tag'>conservation<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/ecosystem-books\/' rel='post_tag'>ecosystem books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/educators\/' rel='post_tag'>educators<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/habitat-books\/' rel='post_tag'>habitat books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/hands-on-activities\/' rel='post_tag'>hands on activities<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/homeschool-projects\/' rel='post_tag'>homeschool projects<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/nature-books\/' rel='post_tag'>nature books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/stem-learning\/' rel='post_tag'>stem learning<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":9,"sec":24},"status":"publish","excerpt":"This habitat-based book tie-in activity helps students explore ecosystems, science, and literacy through interactive, experiential learning. Perfect for teachers who love combining STEM and reading!"},{"id":3266,"link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/3266\/your-free-educator-resource-for-ecosystem-lesson-plans-for-kids\/","name":"your-free-educator-resource-for-ecosystem-lesson-plans-for-kids","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/thebigempty_web6-2.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Your Free Educator Resource for Ecosystem Lesson Plans For Kids","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"CourtneyNovack","link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/author\/courtneynovack\/"},"date":"Oct 20, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-10-20 19:18:58","modifiedDate":"2025-10-27 12:17:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-10-27 16:17:27","commentCount":"1","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/books-for-classrooms\/' rel='post_tag'>books for classrooms<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/books-for-kids\/' rel='post_tag'>books for kids<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/childrens-books\/' rel='post_tag'>children's books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/earth-day\/' rel='post_tag'>earth day<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/free-printable\/' rel='post_tag'>free printable<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/homeschool\/' rel='post_tag'>homeschool<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":7,"sec":6},"status":"publish","excerpt":"A classroom resource with ready-to-use printable worksheets and activities that make teaching K-4 students about North American grasslands, resilience, and conservation simple and exciting.\u00a0"},{"id":3210,"link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/3210\/empowering-kids-with-books-about-ecosystems\/","name":"empowering-kids-with-books-about-ecosystems","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/habitatlessonplans-e1758835216404.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Little Activists, Big Impact: Empowering Kids with Books about Ecosystems","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"CourtneyNovack","link":"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/author\/courtneynovack\/"},"date":"Sep 26, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-26 19:01:34","modifiedDate":"2025-10-30 08:28:42","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-10-30 12:28:42","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/home\/kitchen\/non-alcoholic\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Non-alcoholic<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/book-guides-for-kids\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Book Guides For Kids<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/learning-loft\/book-shelf\/childrens-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Children's Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/category\/home\/kitchen\/non-alcoholic\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Non-alcoholic<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/book-guides\/' rel='post_tag'>book guides<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/childrens-books\/' rel='post_tag'>children's books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/ecosystem-books\/' rel='post_tag'>ecosystem books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/habitat-books\/' rel='post_tag'>habitat books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/k-5-books\/' rel='post_tag'>k-5 books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/nature-books\/' rel='post_tag'>nature books<\/a><a href='https:\/\/thescraplibrary.com\/tag\/picture-books\/' rel='post_tag'>picture books<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":17,"sec":32},"status":"publish","excerpt":""}]
After sewing on all of the sides, you will sew another line of stitching, this time a straight stitch. If you are using drop cloth, this straight stitch will become nearly invisible.
In the graphic below, see roughly where you could place your stitch to best fit with your style of cotton lace.
At the last corner, simply fold the raw edge inside so it isn’t visible and secure.
Where else can we use this cotton lace? I will find more uses. This inexpensive technique for your cloth napkins and kitchen linens is a timeless and thoughtful addition to your eco-kitchen. This diy kitchen napkin promises to add warmth and texture that will make your family and guests will feel at home.
5 responses to “Warm Kitchen Aesthetic with DIY Cloth Napkins”
I love this!! I’ve been wanting to buy clothes napkins, maybe I’ll have to sew a set instead!
These are so dainty, I love them!
These are so pretty! And I love your diagrams.
What a fantastic project! I love these napkins, they are beautiful, and your illustrations are so helpful too!
These are so lovely and simple!