Cloth Napkins for Birthday Party

[Mbella]

Dd is having her 4th birthday party at a local nature center. They encourage you to use reusable supplies - which I LOVE! That is how we have been living for a while now and it is very important to me. We use cloth napkins at home, so I would like to also use them at her birthday party. I love these napkins - Fabkins, but they are too expensive for me to buy enough for about 15 kids. I like their smaller size and cute design. Does anyone have ideas on where I could buy less expensive cute kid-size napkins. If they look kid-friendly dd won't miss the paper napkins from the party store. I don't know how to use a sewing machine, so making them would be difficult.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[chel]

try bandanas!
i uses them for seasonal napkins (but find washcloths better for everday use). they also make great picnic placemats and would be great party favors
i've found craft type places such as hobbylobby to have a great assortment of colors/themes though places like walmart atleast have assorted colors

[Ruthiegirl]

That seem like an easy DIY project. You could choose a yard of cute kid fabric or even take an old flannel blanket and cut it up with pinking shears. Instant napkins!

[velochic]

Originally Posted by Mbella

I don't know how to use a sewing machine, so making them would be difficult.

Something like this would be an excellent project to start learning how to sew. Very simple, even seams.

Otherwise, I would look in a fabric store for some cute fleece fabric. That doesn't need to be hemmed. You can find some iron-on appliques that would make a cute addition. Make sure you wash the fleece before putting on the appliques, though. Good luck!

[ekortering]

I think the bandanna idea is great but even that could get pricey at $1 each. What about buying a couple yards of a cute, fun print related to the theme of the party and cut 10x10 squares with a pinking shears? That should keep it from raveling.

Just my 2 cents,

Erin =)

[cristeen]

Do you have any mama friends that sew or better yet have a serger? Maybe trade some childcare for a lesson/use of their machine? Really, buying cloth napkins is a racket - they are so expensive. I only ever buy them when they're on clearance (as gifts)... pick yourself a nice thick flannel or cotton fleece in a cute print (needs to be 100% cotton - unfortunately poly fleece won't work for napkins, it doesn't absorb), cut it into squares and stitch it up. While it may not hold up prettily in the long term, even just running a wide zig-zag stitch around the edges will hold it for half a dozen washings.

[Teensy]

Washcloths are often sold in inexpensive multi-packs. I buy packs of whites ones for my kitchen pretty often, but I think they would work for fun napkins too.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Spasilk-pack-S...8598140&sr=8-5

[luckygreen713]

Have you checked Etsy? There are a ton of sellers who make napkins. You could probably find someone to make a custom set (kid-sized, cute prints/colors, amount you need) for you at an affordable price. I also like the idea of using baby washcloths with fun prints. Those Spasilk ones in the link from a pp are pretty cute and they seem affordable.

[wendinbill]

I found cheap cloth napkins on clearance at Kohl's. I believe they ended up being .33 cents each. I like the bandana idea!

[karne]

I second the inexpensive washclothes. The cheaper they are, the smaller and thinner they are, which actually works well for napkins. To personalize them you could put an iron-on decal or patch, such as something nature themed, or just something fun your child might like, right on to the washcloth. If you embroider at all you could embroider a small sun, or flower, for example, or your child's first initial. You could roll them up and tie with a pretty ribbon, or colorful cloth strip and attach a flower, a leaf or something natural, to keep in the theme of the nature center.