The Forgotten Stitch That Turns Plain Napkins Into Heirlooms

Eleanor Vance · 2026-09-10

National Sewing Month is here, and it's the perfect excuse to show some love to the machine that brings all our creative ideas to life. This year, I'm pulling back the curtain on a feature many of us ignore: the decorative stitch library hiding in plain sight on your sewing machine. We're using those stitches to give simple napkins a truly heirloom-worthy finish. And the best part? It's easier than you think. ### Why Decorative Stitches Deserve a Second Look Most of us stick to straight stitches and zigzags. But your machine likely has dozens of decorative stitches you've never touched. They can add texture, color, and a handmade touch that makes everyday items feel special. We recently played with the Summer Solstice Wovens collection from Pieces to Treasure for Moda Fabrics. The woven texture gives napkins a delicate, airy feel that pairs beautifully with bold decorative borders. ### What You'll Need Gather these supplies before you start: - Woven fabric (we used a Summer Solstice Woven Fat Quarter Bundle) - Contrasting thread (we used 50wt Aurifil in Yellow and Midnight) - Totally Stable Iron-on Tear-Away Stabilizer by Sulky - A pen or pencil - Sweet Snips 6-inch Fabric Scissors ### How to Make Decorative Stitch Napkins #### Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric Decide on your finished napkin size. We wanted ours to look like little hankies, so we cut 12-inch squares for a finished size of 11 inches. Just remember to cut your fabric about 1 inch larger than your desired finished size. Cut four 1.5-inch strips of stabilizer, roughly the same length as your fabric. With the textured side facing the fabric, iron the stabilizer onto the perimeter. Then, use a pen or pencil and a ruler to mark your desired finished size onto the stabilizer. #### Step 2: Dive into Your Decorative Stitches Take one prepared fabric piece as your tester. Every decorative stitch is different, and by adjusting the width and length settings, you control the scale and density. As you experiment, jot down the stitch number and settings right on the stabilizer so you don't forget. > "The best way to learn your machine's decorative stitches is to play. There's no wrong answer—just happy accidents." #### Step 3: Stitch and Cut Your Napkins Once you've chosen your stitches and settings, it's time for the real deal. Load a bobbin with your colored thread so both sides match. Stitch along your marked lines. After stitching, tear away the outer stabilizer but leave the inner stabilizer in place. Then, carefully cut away the excess fabric. A good podcast or movie night and sharp scissors make quick work of trimming. ### Share Your Creations We'd love to see your decorative stitch napkins! Share them on Facebook and Instagram and tag @fatquartershop so we can admire your work. Happy sewing!