I like to use cloth napkins instead of paper. I like the way they feel so much better, they don't leave a papery mess on little sticky faces and hands, and they're reusable. Besides, they add a nice edge of class to that special mac and cheese you're making for your kids.
Check out these ones at Amazon:
They're even made from recycled cotton.
But heck, at $15 for 4, I bet you could hire someone with a sewing machine to make some for you. Amazon, among other stores, does have cheaper ones. I've even found them at a number of the discount stores for about $1 or $2 per napkin.
I have a number of cloth napkins, but don't seem to use them for fear of staining them. (I know, I know, that's kinda what they're there for!) I want to make some simple ones that I can use with the kids and not worry about spaghetti sauce on them, or whatever the flavor of the day is.
If you're looking at making your own, just about any scraps of cotton or cotton/poly material that you have on hand would probably work, though linen ones are de rigueur. The traditional dinner napkin is 20 inches square, but other regular sizes include 12, 14 and 16 inch squares. For family dinners I'd probably make them even smaller, maybe even as little as 8 to 10 inches square since I'm cleaning small, messy faces. This way it would be less strain on Dear Mother when washing a set each day.
You should be able to make about 12 napkins per yard, more if it's 60 inches wide. And then you can pick and chose colors that match your decor, or hide stains. You know, whichever... :) Here's a website that tells how to make your corners pretty when sewing your napkins.
I might just start out with some flannel material that I already have and just serge the edges and call it good so I can start with something. Pretty much anything you can get your square from, that would other wise go to waste, could be utilized. What about all those old flannel receiving blankets that your kids grew out of in about 2 weeks? Or those old t-shirts would make some soft napkins. I bet cutting some squares from old dress shirts would work well, and you could end up with some interesting, eclectic table settings that way.
The other benefit of cloth napkins is the eventual need I will feel to make a lot of super-cute napkin rings. These will make cute craft projects for the kids or good ways to use some material around the house that was otherwise going to get thrown away.
Still need more benefits? You can teach your children the "correct" way of setting a table. Or, you could teach your kids napkin origami. Who doesn't like to fold stuff up to make swans?
On cloth napkins and napkin rings:
ReplyDeleteThe rings have a purpose other than looking cute - although that is important. :)
Some meals are less messy than others so the napkins don't need to be washed after every meal, or even every day. So the ring is used to identify whose napkin it is.
I don't mind using my napkin more than once, but I don't want to use yours. :)