NAPKINS You can also use bought napkins.
Measurements
Finished napkin is 45cm x 45cm.
You Will Need
- 100 x 100cm white fabric
- two 50 x 100cm printed fabrics, in two different prints
- matching coloured thread
To Cut
Cut four squares each 48 x 48cm from the white and printed fabrics (1.5cm hem allowances included).
To Sew
Fold under double hems around the squares and top-stitch with matching coloured thread. Press flat for a neat appearance.
WHITE EMBROIDERED ROSE
You Will Need
- rose template
- 4 white fabric napkins
- dressmaker’s pen
- embroidery thread of your choice (we used Decora white 1401 16)
- embroidery needle
- 220cm lace of your choice, or a crocheted edging (see below)
- matching coloured thread
To Make
Trace the rose template onto a corner of the napkins using a dressmaker’s pen or quilting pencil. The lines can be erased or washed out later. Embroider the rose and buds in satin stitch. Fill the space around the rose with French knots and embroider the small flower in chain stitch. Use straight stitches for the stems of the small flowers. Darn in the thread ends at the back.
Finishing
Cut a length of lace sufficient to go around the napkin and top-stitch to the napkin. If you are using crochet edging, top-stitch it to the napkin.
CROCHET EDGINGS
You Will Need
- Elle crochet No. 5 yarn in lilac
- 2mm crochet hook
Abbreviations
beg beginning
ch chain
dc double crochet
rep repeat
rnd(s) round(s)
sp space
ss slip stitch
tr treble
To Crochet
Work sufficient ch to fit your napkin [45cm x 4 sides = 180cm]. This is the foundation rnd of your edging.
1st rnd: Work 2 ch, 1 dc in each ch, join with ss in top of 2 ch at beg of rnd.
2nd rnd: Work 2 ch, * 5 ch, miss 4 dc, 1 ss in next dc *; rep from * to * to end of rnd, working 7 ch at each corner, not 5, join with ss in 2nd ch at beg of rnd.
3rd rnd: Work 2 ch (3 dc, 1 tr, 3 dc) in each 5 ch-sp and (4 dc, 1 tr, 4 dc) in each 7 ch-sp at corner, join with ss in top of 2 ch at beg of rnd. Fasten off. Darn in yarn ends.
PRINTED NAPKINS
You Will Need
- 4 printed fabric napkins (two each in a different print)
- dressmaker’s pen
- embroidery thread of your choice (we used DMC 604)
- embroidery needle
To Make
Draw two parallel lines using the dressmaker’s pen, 5mm apart, around your napkin. Embroider in cross-stitch working all the stitches in the same way inside the parallel lines. Darn in the thread ends at the back as you work for a neat finish. Erase the lines with a damp cloth. Turn the napkins over and press.
Packaging
We scanned special photos and designed the paper on the computer, use this to decorate the box. Stick it to the lid with spray glue and line the box with the paper too. We then painted the rest of the box black and stuck houndstooth paper around the edges of the lid.
Tag You can use a photograph that has sentimental value to you, make two holes on each side and thread a ribbon through to tie the tag to the box.
Words and images: Ideas magazine
