Napkin, Placemat and Tea Towel Pattern Maker
Napkins, placemats, tea towels, handkerchiefs and table runners are all hemmed rectangles. Type the finished size and how many you want, and choose a mitred hem, two turned layers or a bound edge.
Add a middle layer or a hanging loop where you want one.
Make this pattern in your size →What you can change
Size
- Finished width: 8–160 cm (3⅛–63″). Edge to edge, after hemming.
- Finished length: 8–240 cm (3⅛–94½″). Edge to edge, after hemming.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Finished width 45 cm (17¾″), Finished length 45 cm (17¾″).
Options
- Edge: Mitred hem · Two layers, turned · Bound
- Switches: Middle layer, Hanging loop
- Measurements and counts: How many, Hem width, Binding width, Corner radius
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Napkins | 4 × 45 × 45 cm · 1.2 cm mitred hem | 4 × 18 × 18″ · ½″ mitred hem |
| Cocktail napkins | 6 × 25 × 25 cm · 0.8 cm mitred hem | 6 × 10 × 10″ · ⅜″ mitred hem |
| Placemats | 4 × 45 × 33 cm · turned edge | 4 × 18 × 13″ · turned edge |
| Bound placemats | 4 × 45 × 33 cm · bound edge | 4 × 18 × 13″ · bound edge |
| Tea towel | 2 × 50 × 70 cm · 1.5 cm mitred hem | 2 × 20 × 28″ · ⅝″ mitred hem |
| Handkerchiefs | 6 × 30 × 30 cm · 0.5 cm mitred hem | 6 × 12 × 12″ · ≈⅛″ mitred hem |
| Table runner | 1 × 35 × 150 cm · turned edge | 1 × 14 × 60″ · turned edge |
Cutting list
At the starting size (Finished width 45 cm (17¾″), Finished length 45 cm (17¾″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemmed piece | Main fabric | 4 | 48.6 × 48.6 cm (≈19⅛ × ≈19⅛″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
You will also need: Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 1.1 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Cut 4 pieces on the solid line: the 1.8 cm hem allowance is included even when the pattern is printed without seam allowance. Mark the mitre lines at the corners.
- Press the hems: turn every edge 0.6 cm to the wrong side and press, then turn it again by 1.2 cm (the outline) and press. Unfold the second turn.
- Mitre each corner: fold the corner of the fabric in on the marked mitre line, which passes through the corner of the finished edge, and press. Trim the corner tip 0.6 cm beyond that fold to remove bulk.
- Refold both hems over the folded corner: the two folds meet in a neat diagonal. Pin, and slip-stitch the mitre closed by hand if you like.
- Edgestitch the hem all round close to its inner fold, pivoting at the mitres.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Cotton, linen or a cotton-linen blend: they wash hot, absorb well and press crisply. Linen or cotton huckaback for tea towels.
Lining: Turned and bound pieces have a back layer: the same fabric or a contrasting cotton.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: No interfacing. A placemat can have a thin cotton batting or fleece middle layer; tea towels and napkins stay single.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Holds a sharp hem and mitre.
- Heavy or stiff: works well. Fine for placemats; too stiff for napkins. Make the hem narrow and trim the mitres well.
- Stretchy knit: not recommended. Hems wave and the piece will not lie flat. Use a woven.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. Absorbs poorly and the hems slide. Fine for a decorative runner; baste first.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 6 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. Every piece here is a rectangle or a strip, so the cutting list above is enough and you can skip printing. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
What size can I make?
The napkin, placemat and tea towel pattern takes finished width from 8–160 cm (3⅛–63″); finished length from 8–240 cm (3⅛–94½″). It starts at Finished width 45 cm (17¾″), Finished length 45 cm (17¾″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. There are 7 starting points to begin from (Napkins, Cocktail napkins, Placemats, Bound placemats, Tea towel, Handkerchiefs, Table runner). Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the napkin, placemat and tea towel pattern?
Cotton, linen or a cotton-linen blend: they wash hot, absorb well and press crisply. Linen or cotton huckaback for tea towels. In the maker’s fabric advice, stable woven is a great choice; heavy or stiff works well; slippery or fine is possible with care; stretchy knit is not recommended.