Wednesday, April 22, 2009

We're super classy

About 6 months ago, we ran out of paper towels. Then for 2 full months we kept forgetting to buy them (yes, we are that forgetful and that lazy). Once we hit the 3 month mark, we realized we didn't really need the paper towels. We do have cleaning rags, after all, and they serve pretty much the same purpose. I'd say the lack of paper towels is now 50% earth friendly choice and 50% residual laziness. We will probably eventually buy some paper towels, but I don't think we'll be using them as much as we used to.

All this is a very long lead up to say that last week we ran out of paper napkins. Luckily I had a thrifted tablecloth lying around and I quickly began repurposing it. It coincided with my first attempt at embroidery. I got the Stitch It kit last year, and now I'm sad I didn't try it out earlier. She walks you through the stitches and it's very easy to pick up.

These aren't a pattern, though. I just took a pencil and lightly wrote on these, and then embroidered over my lines.

DSC_4523
{everyday napkins}

I tried a couple of colors. I think I'd like a rainbow effect for the table.

DSC_4526
{napkin trio}

Ever so much more refined than paper napkins.

I have to confess something though...I don't think I'll be making napkins again. This is a very, very thrifty project ($2 tablecloth + $2 worth of thread = 16 reusable napkins) but it takes a LOT of time. We're talking hours of pressing and hemming, at least for me, for a product that looks slightly less professional than what you would get at Cost Plus. Next time I think I'll find a bulk set of napkins and just do the embroidery, which is the fun part.

Did you hear that? I just encouraged you to buy something instead of make it. See, I'm not completely insane.

42 comments:

  1. WHAT CAN i SAY?! COMPLETLY LOVELY!!!
    J'ADORE!!!
    KISSES

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  2. oh this just made my cloth napkins just a little less special.:(

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  3. oh i love them! such a simple yet pretty design. we always know it's a 'posh' dinner here when the cloth napkins come out haha, but i should start using them more.

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  4. OH! you would do something completely sensational like this! they look just charming. and i have decided that i adore the word "repurpose"- thanks goes to you for this.

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  5. These are so sweet. The script penmanship reminds me of grade school and those practice sheets we all worked on. Love.

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  6. How beautiful! It makes me want to embroider. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I really like your repurposed embroidery napkins. They came out great! I just started embroidering this past Christmas, and it adds such a wonderful touch to everyday items.

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  8. these are positively charming, but i've also had experience with cheap materials and hefty hands on time and it's just not worth it in the long run. but at least you have these to show for it!

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  9. "I'd say the lack of paper towels is now 50% earth friendly choice and 50% residual laziness."

    this made me laugh. real hard.

    probably cause it reminds me of me.

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  10. I love how you embroidered these! I wish I could get my act together and make a gazillion rags and napkins out of the old sheets I have so my boyf won't need to crumple up paper towels all over our apt. Someday...

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  11. I really try to be green and all, but there is something about using a rag instead of a paper towel that I just can't get into. (like cleaning up after the cat?)I have used cloth napkins for almost a year now. Mine aren't nearly as cute as yours though!!!

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  12. These are adorable! I love this idea. I have a bunch of embroidery thread that I have debated about 'exfoliating' for months, but now I have an actual use for them. Thank you!

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  13. oh, i love these!
    very cute embroidery!

    i'm with you. i think i'd just buy plain ones and embroider them instead of sew them all up..

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  14. For the past few months I've been using cloth napkins with my meals in place of paper napkins. It makes me feel so much better about my contribution to my planet! Whether they're made (beautiful, btw) or bought, it's a cheap and easy way to go green. Happy Earth Day!

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  15. I think those look fantastic! I'm looking for simple projects for my learning to sew process, and these are just adorable and, like you said, affordable, so it's alright if I mess it up. Rather, when I mess it up. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. They're so, so cute! I love them!

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  17. Those are so cute! I'll have to try my sewing kit. Everytime I'm at a thrift shop or rummage sale, I always but cloth napkins. I keep an assorted bunch of cloth napkins rolled up, and standing up, in a basket. We use them all the time, and they look pretty in the basket!
    XO

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  18. Love this! I never buy paper towels either! Always use linen napkins and clean with rags etc. But the embroidery is genius!

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  19. Very fancy! I think embroidery is intriguing. I will have to try it sometime; it makes everything about 10 times cuter. Thanks for sharing!

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  20. SO. cute.

    really. maybe we should all start using cloth napkins. even for dinner on the couch.

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  21. these are so wonderful and seem like such a great idea considering we never use napkins in my house bec I always forget to buy them...what a fun project! I might make ones w initials too!

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  22. this is a very green thing to do. use cloth instead of paper. i love the napkins!! xoxo

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  23. these are fanatstic! i love the lazy=green. however you get there, as long as you get there!!

    someone embroidered napkins with cute little fruits and veggies for our wedding. it was the best. wedding. present. ever.

    i've also always wanted to embroider a set with numbers (1-4) or whatever, that way, you can use the same napkins all week and keep your number (sometimes patty & i mix up our napkins, no big deal, but if we have more family members some day...)...now you've inspired me!
    xox

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  24. What a fabulous idea...I have just started into embroidery, and I love it. So fun. I found your blog via Red Otter - and it is wonderful. Such lovely post!

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  25. Well they look like they were well worth your time:) I am the same way about papertowel (I think I have gone about a month without it now!).

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  26. oh, now you've got me searching for some needle and thread! so cute!

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  27. Super classy....and super cute!
    My mom sells vintage linens on eBay from time to time, and they sell for a lot more than I would expect. So if you have the time, and the patience, you could prob make a pretty penny selling napkins like these (esp. judging by the enthusiastic comments here!)

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  28. I love it. What a fantastic idea! ;)

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  29. I like the simplicity of this work. Beautiful and well made!

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  30. love this ... and what a fabulous idea!

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  31. oh.my.word. these are awesome.... and so much better than the paper ones!

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  32. I think they look beautiful! We no longer buy paper towels or napkins. Occasionally I will buy a roll of paper towels for selective uses such as bacon drippings. But then I hide them in my pantry so I forget about them and don't use them unless absolutely necessary.

    It's easy to find cloth napkins at vintage and antique stores, too!

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  33. Those are so flipping cute! Way to go! Admittedly we are paper towel junkies over here and have talked about cutting down as of late. I'm thinking some really cute alternatives would make it more appealing... How fun!

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  34. Super cute Rachel. We use napkins here as we have a small house and have limited storage space for storing things like paper towels. I am very impressed that you actually made these, I think I would cheat and embroider ready made ones as the ironing/hemming bit wouldn't be my favourite part, though I'm thinking maybe the frayed look could become chic! :)

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  35. AWESOME! I am so doing this! I've been thinking what I could stich on my own set and I've come up with this..."Da Gracias" which translates to "Give Thanks" It will serve as a reminder to give thanks for our meal. Thank you!

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  36. So lovely. I'm also a fan of cloth napkins. I might have to embellish the ones I have with a little embroidery though.

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