A Moveable Feast: DIY Eco-Friendly Cutlery Holder

No matter how you slice it, when grabbing a quick bite to eat, convenience is generally what’s flashing through your mind. For daily lunchtime quickies, forgo traditional disposable plastic tableware and add a touch of green to your culinary adventures.

Any occasion for a picnic is special. These eco-friendly cutlery flatware holders substitute traditional disposable plastic and paper accoutrements and serve up a green place setting. They also lend themselves for unique party favors.

There are a few versions of flatware holders floating around the blogosphere. This one will carry almost everything you need in one easy trip. It is made from a washable terrycloth scrap towel or dishtowel. Creating this reusable re-purposed and relatively easy to make flatware holder is a cinch that requires merely some basic sewing know-how and some creative DIY ingenuity.

What you need:
• Hand towel 14” x 26”
• Scrap fabric 7” x 8” I used a vintage fabric scrap.
• Ribbon, yarn or cord 24”
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Eating utensils (I like to use real silverware, but bamboo flatware, as shown in the picture is renewable, reusable and it provides a nice natural look.)
• Scissors
• Ruler or tape measure

What to do:
1. Cut the towel in half lengthwise – 7” x 26”.
2. Remove the border on the towel.
3. Cut two pieces to 7” x 12” each.
4. Stack toweling with right sides together.
5. Fold 7” x 8” print fabric to 7” x 4”.
6. Place the raw edge of print fabric 2” from bottom of towel.
7. Cut off 2” from top of towel.
8. Sew 1/2″ seams on the two sides and the top.
9. Trim seams and corners and turn.
10. Fold up bottom and sew across (if your machine allows, try a zigzag stitch).
11. Divide printed fabric into 4 pockets.
12. Sew 3 seams and then reinforce each seam.
13. Attach center of ribbon to outside top of pockets at one side.
14. Reinforce ribbon.
15. Roll up and take your flatware holder for a culinary spin.

Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.

Read more: Blogs, EcoNesting DIY, crafts, disposable, food, plastic, recycle, reusable, sewing

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Pradip C.

7:23AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

Wonderful idea. will try it

send a green star

Ree O.

1:15PM PDT on Sep 1, 2011

Thanks :)

WOLFGANG W.

3:00PM PST on Dec 20, 2010

Nice idea!

Elizabeth O.

5:53AM PST on Dec 2, 2010

I'm not any good at sewing - by hand or with a machine - but it's a great idea for those who are.

Alison A.

9:03AM PST on Dec 1, 2010

Thanks for posting.

will w.

12:55AM PST on Nov 30, 2010

look good

Carole K.

6:42AM PST on Nov 29, 2010

Could make something useful out of leftover fabric....

Linda J.

9:53PM PST on Nov 25, 2010

thanks

Jelka V.

1:30PM PST on Nov 23, 2010

Like Claudia, I am no good at sewing either, so it's way too much work.
Why not simply take a nice cloth towel and put a "crunchy" around it? ;-))

Seriously, they are very pretty.
But you can use your imagination to re-use other existing items as nice cutlery holders.

Or just eat with your hands. :-)

Laura S.

8:23PM PST on Nov 22, 2010

Why did I cut the towel into pieces 7" x 12" if I'm going to cut off another 2" later? Why not just make it 7" x 10" in the first place? Or am I missing something?
Also, in step 6, I assume the "bottom" is the shorter edge. And when placing the raw edge of the scrap fabric 2" from bottom, is the folded edge toward the top or the bottom of the towel?

Wouldn't it make more sense to attach the ribbon by sandwiching it between the right sides of the toweling before the sides are sewn together? That would eliminate the extra step of attaching it later, and make it a stronger connection. I would also sew the dividing seams on the smaller piece and then sandwich that between the toweling, as well. Then, when the three sides are sewn up, all you have to do is turn it right side out and finish off the top edge.

And now that I'm thinking about it, if you hemmed the top edge like a pillowcase, instead of closing it up, you'd have an envelope where you could stash a napkin. Fold down 1 1/2" at the top on each side, turning 1/2" under, before sewing up the three sides. Turn right sides out and you're done.