That old cotton kurta with a stain that never quite came out, or the button-down shirt you’ve outgrown but can’t bring yourself to bin, still has plenty of life left in it. Turning it into a set of kitchen napkins takes barely any effort, no sewing machine, no needle, and honestly, not much time either. All you really need is a good pair of scissors and about twenty minutes. Here’s how to do it properly so the napkins actually hold up to regular use and washing.
Look for the largest uninterrupted stretch of fabric on the garment, the back panel of a shirt or kurta usually works best, and unroll the sleeves too if you need a bit more material. Cotton and linen are ideal here, they’re absorbent and easy to cut cleanly. If you’ve got an old cotton T-shirt lying around instead, even better in some ways, jersey knit fabric barely frays at all once cut, so you can skip a few of the edge-finishing steps below entirely. This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Use scissors and pinking shears carefully, and keep them away from children.
Fabric glue and seam sealants should be allowed to dry fully before the napkins come into contact with food or hot surfaces.