Transform Plain Napkins with Decorative Stitches: Free Tutorial

Prof. Dr. Klaus Müller · 2026-09-10

### Why Your Sewing Machine's Decorative Stitches Deserve a Second Look Most of us have a sewing machine with a treasure trove of decorative stitches we rarely use. During National Sewing Month, it's the perfect time to show some love to that machine and explore those overlooked stitches. This year, we're giving plain napkins an heirloom-worthy finish using decorative stitches. Trust me, it's easier than it sounds, and the results are stunning. ### What You'll Need to Get Started Before we dive in, gather these supplies: - Woven fabric (we used a Summer Solstice Woven Fat Quarter Bundle, but any woven works) - 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" Fabric Scissors A quick note: the woven texture of the fabric gives the napkins a delicate, airy feel that perfectly complements the sturdy decorative stitches. So don't skimp on the fabric quality. ### Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric First, decide on the size of your napkins. We wanted ours to look like little hankies, so we cut our fabric to roughly 12" x 12" for a finished size of 11" x 11". You can make yours any size you want, just cut your fabric about 1" larger than your desired finished size to allow for trimming. Next, cut four 1.5" strips of stabilizer that are roughly the same length as your fabric. With the textured side touching the fabric, iron on the stabilizer to the perimeter of your fabric. Then, using a pen or pencil and a ruler, mark the desired finished size of your napkin onto the stabilizer. ### Step 2: Dive into Your Decorative Stitches Now comes the fun part: playing with your machine's decorative stitches. Choose one of your prepared fabric pieces to use as a tester. Every decorative stitch is different, and by adjusting the width and length settings, you can control the scale and density of each stitch. As you experiment, write the stitch number and settings next to it on the stabilizer so you don't forget. > "The best way to learn your machine's capabilities is to let yourself play without fear of messing up. That's how you discover those hidden gems." ### Step 3: Stitch and Cut Your Napkins Once you've found the perfect stitches and settings, it's time to work on the real napkins. Load a bobbin with your colored thread so both sides of the stitch match. We found it easiest to cut away the excess fabric after tearing away the outer stabilizer and leaving the inner stabilizer. Put on a good podcast or a movie, grab your sharp fabric scissors, and trim away. ### Share Your Creations We can't wait to see the beautiful stitches your machine has to offer. If you make your own decorative stitch napkins, share them on Facebook and Instagram and tag @fatquartershop so we can see and share your work. Happy sewing! ### Final Thoughts Using decorative stitches is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to everyday items. Don't be afraid to experiment with different threads, stitches, and fabrics. The possibilities are endless, and each project is a chance to learn something new about your machine. So go ahead, dive into those decorative stitches and give your napkins a story to tell.