What's the best fabric for making cloth napkins.  Years ago, I found a piece of damask and made some lovely napkins from it.  I'm looking for something that will stand up to regular everyday use. I'm thinking linen or maybe plain sheeting fabric which will give me a lot more napkins for the same outlay of cash. However, I would greatly appreciate some suggestions.   There's nothing suitable in my fabric stash, so I will have to buy fabric.

Alternatively, I will go to the nearby warehouse club and buy a package of the cloth napkins that are intended for restaurant use.

A linen tablecloth from a thrift store or garage sale can be cut up for napkins, too. I prefer napkins made of heavy fabric, and natural fibers. When a tablecloth gets stains that won't come out and the stains can't be easily hidden, the clean parts get to be napkins, and the stained parts become rags.

I have considered trying flat bed sheets (new twin size). Our walmart has some for $4.23 each. If you take that you can make prob 16-24 napkins depending on the size you want (maybe more) and give some as gifts. You can also get the various colors so the napkin of the day could match your mood.

I just remembered that I bought four twin sheet sets for last year for my kids' room. Even after fabric softener and a couple of washings, the sheets are stiff and feel like they're coated in plastic.  My children refuse to sleep on them, not that I blame them.  Some of the pillowcases have become laundry bags, some sheets are destined to become curtains but I still have enough sheets that I can make quite a few napkins!

Thanks for the suggestion.

timzagain:

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Your welcome! I just pray for the patience to sit down and do it myself. They would make great frugal gifts for a bride to be, esp. if you know her favorite colors! If you know how, maybe mongram them with intials?

timzagain:

some sheets are destined to become curtains

 

Thanks for the reminder about using sheets for curtains! I was just thinking yesterday about how to get curtains for the kids' room that match their new bedding! Problem now solved! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 I like good cotton for napkins. It can be washed in hot water, bleached or whatever else you need to do to it. Cotton will last a good long time, too, and it looks nice if it's ironed so you can use them for company as well as every day. 

damask is nice for company but plain old cotton is the best.  I don't use cloth much but  grew up with them and my mom still uses them.  the cotton ones seem to hold up the best and are soft and clean up well.

I hadn't considered cotton - I can easily get that at the fabric store; my DD regularly buys 100% cotton for her batik art projects.  I can also dye the cotton and get good results! 

Thanks.

most good napkins are made of cotton just like hankies :) glad to help.