Reader Question
Thanks to Joy for this question:
Hi,
My step daughter asked me to make 2 simple waist down aprons in hot pink and bright lime green. I want to make a couple of place mats
and napkins for her.
My question is: the fabrics are 100% quilting cotton but they are printed and the other side is blank white. Should I make them 2 layers so the blank white will not show?
I usually do 1 layer napkins with the roll hem stitch and woolly nylon thread.
Crafty Answer
I think I would definitely leave napkins as only one layer of fabric. I feel like they would be too thick and heavy with two layers. If the back is plain white then they should look fine.
I love the idea of using wooly nylon thread! I saw it used when I did my overlocker class but I have not bought any to play with yet. It is on my list though.
Just as another point of view Tonya, I use 2 fat quarters per napkin when I make mine so they are double sided and don’t find them too thick. So that could be an option too. Of course it is a more expensive way to do it, but they seem a little bit more effective for my super messy kids.
Great to hear that someone has used two layers – always hard to know without actually making them up.
I like two fabrics too. Especially when you have two fabrics so that you can use either side. Matching prints is always pretty.
I use two layers. I choose six coordinating fat quarters and 1 1/2 yards of a print that goes with them. Napkins are 16 to 17 inches square. This way I can fold them one way and have matching napkins or fold them the other way for a more casual look. Either way you can always identify the napkins you are using. Sometimes I use large or jumbo ric race in between the layers for a special touch.