First Project in Stitch by Stitch
The much awaited moment has arrived! I have finally begun my journey through the book Stitch by Stitch! If you remember from an earlier post Working My Way Through Stitch by Stitch, I have been planning to work through my learn to sew books one project at a time….as they were intended of course!
The first project in the book was to make bias tape (I skipped over this because I have already had much practice and did not want to waste that much fabric on something I suck at using :P)…so I moved on to making Fancy Napkins with Mitered Corners!
Fancy Napkins with Mitered Corners
Finding The Grain Line
The first thing I learned to do was locate the grainline. This was done by clipping the edge along the selvage, then proceeding to rip up the entire length of my fabric. Finding the grainline ensures that your fabric always lays smooth and straight even after washing, and washing, and washing!
A pretty fabric I had left over from another project.
Clipping the selvage edge.
Marking and Cutting The Pieces
After I located the grainline and straightened out my fabric I was ready to cut my napkins out. The napkins I made here were cut at 19″x19″. I used a clear ruler and white chalk to mark them off and then used my rotary cutter (I can hardly cut a straight line with out it).
Cutting my pieces.
All four of my napkins cut out.
Finishing The Unfinished Edge
Next I had to use a zigzag stitch to create an overlocking stitch to keep my edges from fraying. If you happen to own a serger this would be a good time to use it. To create an overlocking stitch I set my machine at the largest zigzag and stitch possible. Then I lined the edge of my fabric up with the very center of the pressure foot. This caused the zigzag stitch to go one stitch on the fabric, one stitch off the fabric, creating a casing for my unfinished edge.
The front of my overlock stitch.
The top view of my stitch
And the backside. When sewing an overlocking stitch the edge is likely to roll..just press it out when your done. When coming to a corner, stop stitching, leave the needle in and raise your pressure foot, pivot the napkin to the next side and lower your foot. Continue sewing.
Mitering The Corners
At this point I could have been done with my napkins…but how fun is that? So I decided to continue on with the next step which was mitering the corners. I started by pressing each corner in about 3/4″. Then I pressed each side over until they meet up with the tip of the folded corner.
Fold each corner 3/4″ up and press.
After pressing the corners, fold over the edges to meet the point of your corner.
You now have mitered corners! pin the corner down before you sew the hem.
Sew your hem just above the zigzag stitch.
Varsity Mitered Corners
Now, I also could have been done at this point and I would have myself some very practical napkins indeed! But what if I wanted to make them just a little bit more fancy? I decided to go onto the last step and do a Varsity Mitered Corner. If only doing this style of mitered corners you can skip the overlocking stitch step because the unfinished edges will be encased in the hem. I already overlock stitched all four of my napkins so what the heck?
Fold each edge over 1/4 in and press, then fold over each edge 1/4″ again and press. Then open the folds back up.
Next draw a diagonal line at the tip of the folded lines in each corner.
fold your napkin in half at the diagonal and meet up the corners. Pin.
Clip and turn the sewn corner under creating a finished hem in the process.
Pin your corners in place before sewing down your hem.
Handmade Fancy Dinner Napkins
I decided to use a zigzag stitch to finish this hem off to give the napkin a nice look and it sort of raised the edge up a bit (which was accidental, but it looked kinda cool anyways) …
These napkins are a good reason to get my Brother tuned up… It has so many pretty stitches! The possibilities are endless! And wouldn’t these make wonderful gifts?
There you have it! My first project from Stitch by Stitch! Stay tuned for the next one Picnic Place Mats with Bias-Bound Edges…Great! (I suck at bias tape)
Happy Sewing
♥♥♥
A Less Than Perfect Homemaker 