Everyday Cloth Napkins, An Adventure in Potato Stamping

I was curious about which is the greener option.  In our house we use both cloth napkins and paper towels.  I did some research and the verdict is in.  Cloth napkins and dishtowels are the greener option.

Mother Nature Network says this about Cloth vs Paper:

"If you are hugely careless in your treatment of cloth napkins and dishtowels (like running a load of hot-water wash for a few barely soiled napkins), paper can be the more eco-friendly option. But if you approach your cloth towels and napkins conscientiously, cloth is the greener option. Some say that washing cloth must be more energy-intensive than using paper, but electric dryers are actually twice as energy-efficient as the manufacture of paper towels. When you factor in all of the components of making a paper towel or napkins (harvesting the material, processing and bleaching it, packaging it, shipping it, stocking it at a supermarket, transportation to and from the store to purchase it, etc.) all for a single use, you find that the paper towels and napkins are about twice as energy-intensive and create more greenhouse gases overall. A cloth napkin or dishtowel may go through similar processes to get to your kitchen drawer, but it will stay there for many, many years, rather than being sent directly to the landfill."

Typically I find my everyday use dinner napkins at yard sales or thrift stores.  Here are the sets we currently have in circulation.  They all have a vintage vibe.  Some are stained and beginning to show some wear.  

Recently I was inspired via my fabulous friend Thea to DIY a set of cotton Flour Sack napkins.  She suggested the potato stamped feather design and I think she hit the nail right on the head.  I love the fresh, casual beauty of these napkins and I think they make a lovely addition to my dated collection.  I plan to make several more sets as wedding gifts this season.

To begin this project you will need:

• 2 Flour Sack Dishtowels (Makes 8, approximately 14 x 14 in Napkins)
• 1 large Russet potato cut in half
• Woodworking tools or hobby knife
• Acrylic craft paint 
• Craft paintbrush 
• Clear Packing Tape
• Misting spray bottle 
• Iron
• Sewing machine

First, cut your potato in half.  Next, choose your tools.  I recommend wood working chisels.  If you do not access to wood working tools try a hobby knife.  If you do not have a hobby knife, use a small sharp kitchen knife that is easy to handle.  Outline the shape of a feather and begin defining the shape of your stamp using your cutting tools.  Cut a little at a time. 

Once you are satisfied with your feather shape and definition, do some experimenting.   Begin by painting acrylic craft paint directly onto the potato, only apply paint to the feather.  For this project I chose to use black paint.  I like to stamp off several feathers before reloading the the stamp with paint.  The variation in color gives the design depth.  Try stamping onto an old flour sack dishtowel to get the feel for your technique.  Practice until you feel confident.

 
Next, use clear plastic packing tape to stretch and fasten your Flour Sack dishtowel to your work surface.  

To avoid over saturating the fabric with paint, if necessary, use a piece of paper to stamp off excess paint before placing the stamp on your dishtowel.  Be deliberately random when placing your stamp.  Rotate the orientation of the feather as you go.  Stand back and take a look each time you reload the stamp with paint.  Make sure to stamp "over" the edges of the fabric.  

Measure and mark your stamped dish towel.  I do not have quilter's tools so I used my carpentry squares to do this step.   You can also fold the full sized towel into quarters.  Once folded carefully cut along the folds of the towel to get four eaqually sized napkins from one full size dish towel.  The casual feel of these beautiful napkins makes the process of making them super DIYer friendly.  There is no need to fuss over exactness.  Variation and imperfection are part of beauty of a potato stamped project.

Fold and Iron both unfinished, frayed edges of each napkin.  Once ironed, pin the folded edge down in two or three places.  Use a simple zig-zag stitch to finish the napkins.  I ran a zig-zag stitch along the factory finished edges of each napkin as well, for a more uniform finished look. 

Use the misting spay bottle to bring back the gauzy, naturally rumpled look of the Flour Sack fabric. Spray the napkins until slightly damp, then air dry for best results.

Ta Da!