New Napkins
Hell to a young version of me was a forced trip to Fabricland. My thirteen-year-old self couldn’t imagine a place more boring than the home decorator’s section with its long bolts of fleur-de-lis, brocade, and mildly offensive Imperialist prints that are somehow still in fashion and my mom collecting swatch upon swatch for home projects. Couldn’t we be at the mall?
By mid-college, when my mom dragged me back to Fabricland yet again, something about me had changed. We picked up flavored coffee at a convenience store (I was very into Southern Pecan at the time) and listened to a first person story on NPR about a father and son out on a boat during a rough storm that must have somehow altered my appreciation for being alive, because by the time we arrived at what I thought of as the Temple of Boredom, I suddenly saw creativity and inspiration everywhere. You can buy vintage dress patterns? This madras is adorable! How many ways can a person use ric rac? My mother was so happy to see me come over to her side, my college graduation present was a Simplicity Denim Star.
Now my idea of heaven is an afternoon in Soho with a stop at Purl Patchwork — to my mind, one of the cheeriest, most inspiring places on earth. My very first sewing project was a stack of napkins, and to get myself back in the swing of things after not having touched my machine for nearly a year, I went back to napkins again. I’m imagining these brightening up picnics, nights of take-out, and a dinner table set for eight.
I am definitely turning into my mother.
Karen: Haha — I know exactly how you feel about the fabric store hatred to love transformation!
And those are adorable! I made napkins a few months ago and have been itching to make more. Have to figure out an easier way to do the edges though…that was the most time consuming part for me.1 year ago
Adrienne: How funny, my college graduation present was a Bernina Bernette…. but I don’t remember the model. It’s in my basement now because there is literally no space even for a table in my current appartment. Hoping to change that when I move in August!1 year ago
Sara Rose: Man. I really need to learn how to sew something other than ribbons and elastics onto ballet slippers and pointe shoes. Now that I no longer dance, how useful is THAT? Even with a kid in ballet, I sew ballet stuff MAYBE 3 times a year. Plues, I love cute napkins and tablecloths but never seem to find what I want! This is something I really need to do. Good job, lady!1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): This is so inspiring, Sarah. I need to try to sew (by hand? eek.) some test-run napkins for myself first, but could see these making such adorable gifts.
Have a fun weekend!1 year ago
Betsy: I’m so jealous! I would love to get my hands on on a Star! And how much do I love those napkins? So summery and beachy and picnicky?1 year ago
Faith: How funny. My grandmother used to take me to Fabricland all the time with her when I was growing up. As a little girl I would hide among all the bolts of fabric and pretend they were forts. I would admire all the racks of colorful and whimsical buttons (in every shape you could imagine, and even those you couldn’t) and pick out patterns for pretty party dresses my grandmother might make me.
I haven’t been to Fabricland in years but I drove by it not along ago for the first time and every time I see it takes me back to those times, and I will always think of it as the special place my grandmother and I shared. I haven’t been back inside, I’m afraid it wouldn’t do justice to my magical memories of it.1 year ago
Kristina: I’m turning into my mother, too– and there isn’t a woman alive I’d rather be turning into, either. Those napkins are great.1 year ago
anne: This is wonderful! I can totally relate!1 year ago
s. stockwell: Too funny. I’m getting my Mother’s sewing machine out and making some napkins! She used to do that for me and now I can pass it on! Sweet post, best, s1 year ago
Joy: Love those napkins - so cheery! I just posted about some cushions I made, but I’m looking to branch out into tablewear. I have the same thing with antique fairs by the way. 15 years ago I would have rather gouged my eyes out than go to another antiques shop but now I love them. DNA?1 year ago
domestikate: Napkins! Perfect idea for getting back into sewing - I am ashamed to say that my lovely sewing machine is poorly neglected. And I too am turning into my mother; scary, isn’t it?!1 year ago
natalia: Funny
I have already turned into my mother. We even wear the same size. Ten years ago I thought it would be horrible - it’s actually quite fun!1 year ago
Christine S.: I remember as a child going to the fabric section of both a “Wal-Mart”esque store in the center of town called Kresge’s. My mom was always looking for inexpensive fabric and yarn to create items for me and my sister to wear. Later, it was JoAnn Fabrics which I learned to love. I never remember feeling that I didn’t like going into these stores b/c there was always something fascinating to look at or wish for.
My own children have mixed feelings about fabric stores - depends on their moods. Sometimes, they get into it - others, they dread it. At any rate, it seems like at some point in all of our lives we are dragged through a fabric store. And, it also appears that later on we all have a deep appreciation for it. Hope that never changes from generation to generation!
Your napkins are beautiful - love the vintage feel to the fabric!1 year ago
Jen Jafarzadeh: Oh, Sarah I love the fabric you went with! Your napkins are adorable. Perfect for a spring party.1 year ago
Karen, I am a totally lazy sewer. I just eyeballed about a half-inch seam, folded over, ironed, and sewed. Let’s hope they don’t come unraveled…
Lisa, That is a great idea! Perfect hostess present! (BTW, You could sew a tea towel by hand without driving yourself batty and then embroider it with the recipient’s initials.)
Faith, Love that story. And don’t forget Calico Corners — was dragged there all the time, too.
Kristina, Well said, and I couldn’t agree more. Turning into your mother is actually pretty great…depending on the mother, of course.
1 year ago
Sara Rose: If I turned into my mother, I would say “What else is there?” a lot and smile blandly while my brain flipped from enchiladas to The Medium to whatever hare-brained advice I decided to give at that moment even though I probably wasn’t following the conversation. Early senility rocks.
1 year ago
Jess: Hilarious. I’m a first-time visitor to your lovely site, and I’m glad I found you. That bit about the Southern Pecan flavored coffee made me laugh out loud. A picnic with your beautiful napkins sounds perfect. I’ll bring the cake!1 year ago