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To make your own cloth napkins, you don't need a needle or thread, and you sure as heck don't need to know how to sew. All you need to make cool-looking, and eco-smart, DIY cloth napkins is about five minutes, and some very easy-to-find materials.
Host Bill "The Science Guy" Nye talks about the raunchy and nasty eco-footprint of paper napkins on his Planet Green TV show Stuff Happens. You can reduce your use of these disposables by grabbing a cloth napkin instead, and it's fun and green to make your own from sustainable and/or recycled materials.
Here's what you'll need:
- Fabric. Pick up some sustainably produced organic fabric, or recycle some random scraps from a remnants bin or a thrift store. You can cut up an old piece of clothing you've got lying around, or snip up an old flannel blanket or some bedsheets. If you want to be all hipster about it, hit your local secondhand shop, or get up on freecycle, and see if you can find an old set of kids' sheets with Transformers™, Rainbow Brite™, or Smurfs™ all over it for extra indie cred. Or, for a look that's less funky and more dressed-up and high design, go to work on a pretty vintage tablecloth. (Anything goes, just remember that the more absorbent your textiles are, the more absorbent your napkins will be, and in this case, absorbent is good.)
- Pinking shears. These are scissors that have ridged edges, and cut things in a sort of a zig-zaggy pattern. When you cut fabric with them, the wiggly edges not only keep things looking cool, they also stop the fabric from fraying, so your napkins won't unravel. Pinking shears are plentiful, and generally won't cost more than $20, which is pretty cheap considering that they're your key to an unlimited supply of classy cloth napkins. You should be able to find 'em at any craft or sewing shop, and/or at your local hardware store or five-and-dime.
Here's what to do:
- Cut your fabric into 16 x 16 inch squares.
- That's it! Seriously. You're good to go. (Just remember to wash your new napkins in cold water, to make wiping the spaghetti sauce off your face as eco-friendly as possible.)
A set of cool cloth napkins makes a great housewarming gift, or just a cool "whenever" present, so whip 'em up for all your friends. (If you get a little more ambitious and want to try sewing up some real pretty ones, try this "bias-edged handmade napkin" tutorial, or this "cloth napkin how-to.")
Self-proclaimed science nerd? Learn the art of sustainable experiments on Planet Green TV's Stuff Happens.
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