Unlock Your Sewing Machine's Hidden Stitches for Heirloom Napkins

Sarah Atkinson · 2026-09-10

### Why Decorative Stitches Deserve a Second Look Most of us have a sewing machine with a whole library of decorative stitches we never touch. We stick to straight stitch, maybe zigzag, and forget the rest. But during National Sewing Month, I decided to change that. I pulled out my machine's manual and started playing. The result? A set of napkins that look like they came from a boutique, not my sewing room. And the best part: it's easier than you think. ### What You'll Need Before we dive in, gather your supplies. You don't need much, and you probably have most of it already. - **Woven fabric** – I used a fat quarter bundle from the Summer Solstice Wovens collection by Pieces to Treasure for Moda Fabrics. The woven texture gives a delicate, airy feel. But any woven cotton works. - **Contrasting thread** – 50wt Aurifil in Yellow and Midnight made the stitches pop. Pick colors that make you smile. - **Iron-on tear-away stabilizer** – I used Totally Stable by Sulky. It keeps the fabric from puckering. - **A pen or pencil** – For marking. - **Sharp fabric scissors** – Sweet Snips 6" are my favorite. ### Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric First, decide on your napkin size. I wanted a dainty hankie look, so I cut my fabric to roughly 12" x 12", which gives a finished size of 11" x 11". You can go bigger or smaller. Just remember to cut your fabric about 1" larger than your desired finished size so you have room to trim. Next, cut four strips of stabilizer, each about 1.5" wide and as long as your fabric. Iron them onto the perimeter of your fabric, textured side down. Then, using a ruler and pen, mark the finished size of your napkin right onto the stabilizer. This is your stitching guide. ### Step 2: Play with Your Decorative Stitches This is where the fun begins. Grab one of your prepared fabric pieces and use it as a tester. Every decorative stitch is different, and you can adjust the width and length settings to change the scale and density. Try them all! As you find stitches you love, write the stitch number and settings right next to it on the stabilizer. Trust me, you'll forget otherwise. > "The best way to learn your machine is to let it surprise you." — Sarah Atkinson ### Step 3: Stitch and Trim Now for the real napkins. Load a bobbin with your contrasting thread so both sides look neat. Stitch along your marked lines using your favorite decorative stitches. Don't worry if it's not perfect—the charm is in the handmade look. Once you've stitched all four sides, it's time to trim. Tear away the outer stabilizer, but leave the inner stabilizer intact. Then, using sharp scissors, carefully cut away the excess fabric close to the stitching. A good podcast or a movie marathon makes this go by fast. ### Show Off Your Work I'd love to see what you create! Share your decorative stitch napkins on social media and tag your friends. There's nothing like a handmade touch to make a table feel special. Happy sewing!