Cloth napkins (for meals)

ArcticFox · February 2012

I ordered some cloth lunch napkins, and I was surprised how thin they are. They are sort of like a thin linen and large. I think I was expecting something a little smaller (these were probably at least the size of an 8.5x11" piece of paper), and thicker. The size is ok, although I plan on sending them to kindergarten with my DD so I was thinking something the size of a paper napkin when opened halfway.

Have any of you ordered cloth napkins that you would recommend?

I also found a flannel sheet from when I was a kid, it is cute (flowery) and it seems absorbent (I could also run it through the wash with some Rockin Green). Does that seem like a good material to make kid's lunch napkins with? Honestly I dont' think it needs to be much larger than a potholder, maybe 2x the size if that. Plus if I cut up the sheet (twin size, which we have no twin beds), it would be a good way to upcycle, and if DD accidentally threw out napkins at school, I wouldn't be upset.

CDMay2006 · February 2012

The smallest cloth napkins i've seen are the size of cocktail napkins. Mine are probably 12x12. That said, there's no reason they have to be. I made handkerchiefs from an old sheet and they are really great; i think flannel would work well for casual napkins like you are describing. Another option would be to buy new or thrifted napkins of a thicker sort (i haven't had trouble finding thicker ones), cut them in half and hem the cut edge... or maybe you could fold the ones you've bouth in half and stitch around the edges.

sunshine_day_dreams · February 2012

I think flannel would work well. I have a few cloth pads that have a top layer of flannel and it's pretty absorbent and soft.

Otherwise, I have cloth napkins from Crate & Barrel that are nice. They're pretty big, though.

WendyGR · February 2012

I like to buy the sale bin fat quarters (quilting material, usually 100% cotton) and serge two squares together.

Shortcake2675 · March 2012

My favorite baby wipes are double sided flannel, so the sheet would work well. A zigzag stitch or serged edge would keep it from fraying. We use regular cheap kitchen washcloths as napkins at our house.

littlelovelolo · April 2012

Old thread, I know, but thought I'd put my two cents in anyway. My parents ALWAYS used cloth napkins, and still do. They don't buy the frou-frou thin ones that can't hold a mess, but instead they buy small bar towels from a local food/kitchen outlet store. Bar towels are thick, absorbent, not too huge but not tiny either, and they can stand a beating going through the wash. I think my parents only buy new napkins every five or six years. I'm hoping to make the switch soon as well; SO tired of paper towels.

Cloth napkins (for meals)

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