Easy Fringe Napkins for Your Holiday Table

Make these fringe napkins to decorate your holiday table. An easy and inexpensive no-sew fabric project for beginners!

Hello all! I’m excited to be sharing my first Holiday post of the season. I have all kinds of DIY projects, decorating ideas and recipes coming your way, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. Christmas will be here before we know it!

I’m joining my friend Krista once again in her Seasonal Simplicity series along with some of my favourite home bloggers. We’ll be sharing all kinds of Holiday project ideas leading right up to Christmas.

Today, we’re kicking things off with our Holiday DIY and Craft Ideas.

DIY Fringe Napkins

You may recognize these plaid napkins from last year’s nature inspired Christmas table. My plan was to share the super simple instructions for making them, but the hustle and bustle of the season got in the way. That’s why I suggest getting a jumpstart on your holiday projects now.

Not to worry, though! These frayed edge napkins take very little time to make. You won’t even need to pull out your sewing machine.

It’s similar to the process I used for my vintage printed gift tags I added to each place setting. Don’t you just love the look of those raw edges?!

I found the plaid fabric for my napkins at a thrift shop for next to nothing. It’s a blend of cotton, linen and wool.

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How to Make Fringe Napkins

Supplies & Tools

• 1 ¼ yards fabric or more (linen and/or cotton or blend)
• Tape measure or ruler
• Chalk pencil
• Sharp fabric scissors
• Serger (optional)

Instructions

1. Prewash your fabric. I put mine through a cold delicate wash and lower temperature dryer. Use the cycle most suitable for the fabric you select. I serged the edges of mine first so the edges didn’t unravel, but you can omit this step. Or, if you prefer, skip the prewash part and cut your napkins larger to allow for shrinkage.
2. I prefer napkins on the larger side for holiday entertaining, so these ones measure 20 x 20″ square (including the fringe). To begin, you will need to create a straight edge by cutting along the weave of the fabric. To do this, pull a thread on one edge through the fabric as far as you can (it may gather). The thread that you pull out will create a straight line across the fabric. If you select a woven (not printed) plaid or stripe like I did, you can simply follow the straight line while cutting instead.
3. Cut along the line across the entire length of fabric.
4. Using a tape measure or ruler, measure 20″ along this edge and mark with a chalk pencil. Using the mark as a guide, cut a slit, then pull another thread running perpendicular to the edge (or follow the pattern like I did).
5. Cut along this line to create the second side of the napkin.
6. Repeat this process to create all four sides of the napkin.
7. Pull threads off one-by-one along each side to create the fringe. I created a frayed edge about ¼” deep. Up to ½” works well depending on the look you’re going for.
8. Finally, repeat the process to create 4 or more napkins.

Note: After washing the napkins, a few threads may come loose. Tidy up by trimming or removing each thread. After a couple of washes, the edges will fluff up a bit more holding everything in place.

I made 6 fringed napkins for about $4. Your fabric will likely cost a bit more, but you’re still going to save when making your own. Check out thrift shops, bargain bins or online fabric stores for the best deals.

I used a drapery panel to make white fringed napkins and table runner for our Valentine’s Day table. Much more affordable!

Other Easy Fabric Projects

• Tea Towel Flatware Holder
• Recovered Ottoman with Linen
• Snowflake Printed Tea Towels

Be sure to pin to your Craft or Holiday boards on Pinterest. A pin button appears when you hover over a photo. Share buttons are at located at the bottom of the post too. I’d love for you to follow along with me on Pinterest!

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