IroningTrees

From a 22″ half circle, Clarissa irons the “Christmas Tree” napkins

WorkTable

Using my daughter’s cutting/work table, you can see the black foam core template and the cutting tools and the stacks of fabrics in the back ground with the already sewn half-spheres

Napkins_Ellis2

Napkins for the in-laws — the Ellis’

When Sue Shotridge and I went into the “Island Quilter” store on Vashon Island to buy some sewing notions for a button blanket, we noticed a napkin in the shape of a Christmas tree – suddenly we just had to buy some fabrics to make ’em for ourselves and Christmas gifts of course!

Napkins_Ellis

Christmas Tree napkins made for the Hope Family

First thing you gotta do is choose a selection of colors you like; before you do any cutting, make sure you pre-wash the fabrics and then iron all the fabrics folded in half, right and left selvages matched up.  Then cut a template from a piece of smooth cardboard, cut a half circle that is 22 1/4″ long and 11″ wide.  Lay out your fabric with salvage edge on both the left and right sides.  Lay the straight edge of the cardboard along each salvage.  You will get 2 double sets of half-curve; with right sides together sew along all the edges except leave about 4″ open, this enables you to turn the fabric right side out.  Press.  Topstitch along the entire edges.  Then fold the half circle into the “trees” (shaped above).  Voile’ !  Christmas trees!

IroningFabrics

After pre-washing the fabric and drying, then iron all the fabrics you intend to use

I had a stash of about $500 worth of beautiful textured cotton fabrics I had bought about 10 years ago when I was commissioned to do a large 25′ x 15′ wall mural, which got “vetoed” at the very last minute.  so finally I put them to use.  Sure I could have sewn a huge mural (if I had someone else paying my bills while I sewed), or used the fabrics for something that would have brought in an income, however, I have great pleasure in making things for people, and it’s been since 1989 that I have done that.  So I cut into all the fabrics without any harm!

NapkinFabrics

A beautiful selection of 100% cotton fabrics

I made 150 napkins during the week of Christmas.  It was very nice to take a week off from any kind of business and just do a sewing project for my family and friends.  Sewing always has a calming effect with lots of joy felt within me — very healing.  I gave some away for Christmas, gave some away for birthday presents and will give some away for wedding gifts this year.

Napkins_K&M

Another nice selection of Christmas tree napkins – these ones for K & M !