http://www.care2.com/greenliving/purge-the-paper-cut-the-shirt-diy-cloth-napkins.html
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?
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Kabin
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This is a great idea! We use paper napkins and as a recycler and composter I know it's wasteful. Also, thanks to all the posters for their ideas and information. This is a project I'm putting on my "to do" list!
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Hi K Hesse, I consulted a pro-quilter (my mom) and here is her answer to your question, “Quilts are made all the time from t-shirts. Square off the design, and put a fusible foundation on the back. Then use the square like you would any other quilt square to make the quilt.”
Here are two free patterns that explain how to make a tee shirt quilt:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Quilt-from-Tee-Shirts
http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/teequilts_how.html
Here are two free easy quilt patterns:
http://quilting.suite101.com/article.cfm/ninepatch_quilt
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/
Hope this helps! Ronnie
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K Hesse
I made a quilt out of my son's softball tournament T-Shirts. He loves it!! I am not sure how to give you contact information, but I would love to give you information on how to do this.
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I love these recycling ideas. I need help. I have many old tee shirts with wonderful pictures on the front. I want to make a quilt from them. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated
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This was my planned project for the day! I have used paper napkins for far too long. We have nearly eliminated our use of paper towels, using old rags or kitchen towels for cleaning and spills...now on to the napkins...made from recycled clothing and extra fabric! Articles like yours are good reminders to us all...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Thank You!
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I agree, but my kids have always teased me about my NOT USING paper towels and napkins and even tissue. My husband and I have always used handkerchiefs. Ahhh, but now the grand kids are teaching their parents the WAY they say its got - to - be !! and I just love listening and watching.
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My kids wondered why they were the only family they knew to use cloth napkins, 35 years ago...they also were unaware that they wore real diapers, when everyone was rushing for Pampers. Basically, I thought they cost too much (the Pampers)... My kids never got diaper rash, and were hardly ever sick. We still use cloth napkins to this day...some of them have been in use in our house for 20 years or more. This is an old idea that is a very welcome one!! :-) Making your own is awesome.
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I made 147 cloth napkins for the cafe at work from fabric I got from a freecycler and 70 for group homes our agency runs from fabric from another freecycler.
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Like Lois T, we've used washcloths as napkins for years - ever since the kids were little. Using terrycloth napkins means that when someone knocks over a glass of milk, all the napkins immediately get thrown onto the spill and absorb it before it reaches the edge of the table; then I just go and get a fresh set of napkins, and gather up the sopping ones to be washed.
I recommend inexpensive washcloths, but not the bundles of 6 or 12; expensive washcloths are really thicker than I like (besides being expensive!), and the bundled ones aren't cut square, so they don't fold right and look nice on the table.
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