Purge the Paper, Cut the Shirt: DIY Cloth Napkins

Before we sing the virtues of using cloth napkins again, let’s get the facts straight. According to the EPA, the U.S. generates approximately 3,430,000 tons of tissue, napkins and paper towels of waste. That’s a lot of trees…all non-recyclable. It’s enough to make you go on a paper purge.

So once again, let’s toast to the eco-friendly cloth napkin:

• Cloth napkins can be used and reused over and over again.
• Cloth napkins dress up your table.
• Cloth napkins help with spills.
• Cloth napkins take up less wash (in cold water) than a bulky tablecloth.
• Cloth napkins are classy and chic.
• Cloth napkins feel good.

Want to save some trees? Here’s a no cost, quick, DIY project inspired by a Martha Stewart, project that you won’t lose your shirt on.

What you need:

Shirts-men’s oxford or flannel shirts work well. Mix and match napkins for an eclectic table or find some similar shirts (blue oxfords are easy to come by).
Scissors
Ruler or tape measure
Iron
Sewing machine (optional)

What to do:

1. Measure the size of the napkin you want. I measured two different sizes. One napkin from Crate and Barrel and one vintage napkin. The vintage napkin was 4 inches smaller. Who knows, maybe there’s a correlation between napkin size and super-sized portions? Here’s my measurements:
Large napkin–18” square.
Small napkin–14” square.

2. Lay the shirt flat and cut a square piece of the shirt.

3. For a no-sew fringe edge, pull the threads off evenly on each side. Or, with a sewing machine, hem stitch the four sides.

4. Iron.

Place mats can be made using the same method.

Really, at the end of a meal would you rather wipe your face with paper or cloth?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

5:07AM PDT on Jul 7, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Bon L.

4:52AM PST on Dec 17, 2010

Thanks for the info.

Eva O.

11:36AM PDT on Nov 6, 2010

Very interesting article. Thank you for sharing!

Julie F.

10:08AM PDT on Aug 12, 2010

super cool, great idea! thanks!

Nicole S.

11:05AM PDT on Jul 5, 2010

I like the DIY eco aspect of this, I might have to make a few today! I also like browsing a thrift store for the shirts if I dont have any to sew up otherwise, ah THRIFT I heart you! :)

Judy E.

8:19PM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

My kids "enjoyed" cloth diapers; i "enjoyed" hanging them up on the clothes line...& taking them down...frozen. i use as few paper towels/napkins as i possibly can. Cloth Napkins -- great idea! Thanks! :D

Bertha Alicia L.

4:03PM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

Is an interesting idea... I will use it!!!

Hanan W.

1:08PM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

Interesting....

Carolyn C.

11:49AM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

I turn old tee shirts into hankies.

Yancy M.

9:47AM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

That's what i do!!!