Your Favorite Old T-Shirt Is About To Become A Kitchen Essential

If you've been looking for ways to implement green living in your life, you may have considered cloth napkins. They can be used for years, after all, and have a lighter carbon footprint than paper napkins. Manufacturing them does still produce some greenhouse gases, though. So, what do you do if you want to switch to cloth napkins while making the least possible impact on the earth? The answer actually might be sitting in the back of your t-shirt drawer.

That's right, you can make an awesome set of cloth napkins using an old t-shirt. For the upcycling project, you just need an old t-shirt or two (one tee will make about two 12-inch by 12-inch napkins), some scissors, sewing pins, a needle and thread, and an optional rotary cutter and cutting mat. This DIY is simple using a needle and thread, but if you're handy with a sewing machine, it will be even easier.

Not only will your t-shirt napkins be more environmentally friendly, but they will also save you money. Over the lifespan of your cloth napkins, depending on your previous paper napkin usage, you could save hundreds of dollars. And the only extra steps needed for cloth napkins versus paper ones concern tossing them in the hamper after each use and folding them when they're clean. This project is so easy and customizable that afterward, you will be excited about finding other ways to repurpose your old t-shirts.

There are a couple of ways to make napkins from your old t-shirts. The easiest way involves no sewing at all. Similar to the no-sew reusable paper towel hack, you just need to cut your fabric. Use pinking shears to prevent the edges of the napkins from fraying, though. While this is certainly the simplest method, with a needle and thread, you can make napkins that are much more absorbent — and far prettier.

For a nicer-looking cloth napkin set, using scissors or a rotary cutter, cut two fabric squares from your t-shirt that are slightly larger than the size of the napkin you want. Then, place their right sides together and connect them with pins along the edges. Afterward, thread your needle and sew along the edges, leaving the little extra you cut outside the sewing line. Be sure to leave about a 2-inch opening on one of the sides. Tie off your thread and clip the corners, taking care not to cut the seam.

For the final steps, turn your cloth napkin right-side out, use a skewer or chopstick to push out the corners, and use a ladder stitch to close the hole. To do a ladder stitch, align the fabric edges, then alternate small horizontal stitches on each side, pulling the thread gently to close the gap invisibly like rungs of a ladder. Repeat these steps until you've got yourself a full set of napkins.

No matter which cloth napkin-making technique you use, there are ways you can customize them. A simple way is to sew a decorative stitch around the outer edge. This can be done with thread that is the same color as your napkins or in a complementary color. If you have time and a steady hand, you can sew patterns around the edges or throughout the napkins. Another fun idea is to select a matching fabric to line the outer edges of your napkins. For this, cut the fabric for the border, fold the edges downward, and iron them flat. Then, secure them to the napkin by sewing and repeat on the other side.

Another option is to monogram them. This would require an embroidery loop and learning about embroidery stitches, but it's a great way to personalize the project and turn them into functional kitchen decor items, especially if you're using a t-shirt with sentimental value. Handmade monogrammed cloth napkins also make great gifts.

Another fun idea for customizing your DIY t-shirt napkins is changing their color using fabric dye. You can opt for a solid color to match your kitchen's decor or go for something funky, like a tie-dye look. This is a great idea for any t-shirt you choose for this project, especially old, dingy ones, since it can mask any lingering stains. However you decide to customize your napkins, you are sure to end up with something eco-friendly, economical, and unique.