Unlock Your Sewing Machine's Hidden Stitches: Free Napkin Tutorial

Emily Smith · 2026-09-10

You know that feeling when you discover a feature on a device you've owned for years? That's exactly what happened to us with the decorative stitches on our sewing machines. September is National Sewing Month, and we're celebrating by giving some much-deserved attention to that dusty stitch library we all ignore. The result? A set of napkins that look like they took hours (they didn't) and feel like heirlooms (they do). We're sharing a free tutorial so you can make your own. And trust us, once you start playing with those stitches, you might never go back to a plain seam again. ### What You'll Need Before you dive in, gather your supplies. We used a Summer Solstice Wovens fat quarter bundle from Moda Fabrics, but any woven fabric works. The woven texture gives the napkins a soft, airy feel that pairs beautifully with the structured stitches. - Woven fabric (fat quarters or yardage) - Contrasting thread (we used 50wt Aurifil in Yellow and Midnight) - Sulky Totally Stable Iron-on Tear-Away Stabilizer - A pen or pencil - Fabric scissors (we love Sweet Snips 6") A quick note: you can absolutely use fabric from your stash. The key is to pick something with a bit of texture so the stitches really pop. ### Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric First, decide on your finished napkin size. We went with 11" x 11" – a classic hankie size – so we cut our fabric to 12" x 12". That extra inch gives you room to trim later. You can make them any size, just remember to cut your fabric about 1" larger than your desired finished dimensions. Next, cut four strips of stabilizer, each about 1.5" wide and the length of your fabric. Iron them onto the perimeter of the fabric, textured side down. This stabilizer is what keeps your decorative stitches from puckering. Then, use a ruler and pen to mark your finished size directly on the stabilizer. This is your stitching guide. ### Step 2: Play with Your Decorative Stitches Here's the fun part. Grab one of your prepared fabric pieces and use it as a tester. Every stitch is different, and you can adjust the width and length settings on your machine to change the scale and density. As you experiment, jot down the stitch number and settings next to each sample on the stabilizer. You think you'll remember, but you won't. Trust us. > "The best way to learn your machine is to play. There are no mistakes, just stitches you might not use again." ### Step 3: Stitch and Trim Once you've chosen your stitches and settings, it's time to work on the real napkins. Load a bobbin with your contrasting thread so both sides look neat. Sew along your marked lines, using the stabilizer as your guide. After stitching, tear away the outer stabilizer. Leave the inner stabilizer for now – it helps the fabric stay stable while you trim. Finally, cut away the excess fabric close to the stitching. A good podcast or movie helps this go faster. Sharp scissors are a must. ### Show Us Your Creations We'd love to see what you make. Share your decorative stitch napkins on social media and tag us so we can admire your work. Happy sewing!