Doodles & Stitches

DIY Cloth Napkins TUTORIAL

I made these cute cloth napkins using my new serger.

FABRIC...

The fabric I used is a cotton/poly blend which means that it's wrinkle resistant. It's not fun to have an adorable set of cloth napkins that are the size of tennis balls when you get them out of the dryer - all wadded up and in need of pressing. I have many kinds like that too but I am trying to remember to only use a poly blend fabric for future napkins. It's just so much easier that way!

cutting...

First of all, napkins come in all different sizes. Most range in size from 12 inches to 18 inches. I made mine by cutting my squares of fabric 17" x 17"

Machine setings...

You need to set up your machine to do a rolled hem.

Here's a great tutorial...

rolled hem tutorial

After simply running all 4 edges under the serger, you will have a completed napkin.

I used contrasting colored thread for the edges...

green gingham with turquoise thread

navy gingham with lime thread

turquoise gingham with red thread

pink gingham with lime thread

orange gingham with turquoise thread

yellow gingham with red thread

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Serger 101

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Happy Birthday to me! I got this awesome serger for my birthday. I thought I'd write a couple of posts about my serger and the helpful information I found online that assisted me in threading the machine and knowing all the ins and outs.

First of all, I wanted this machine for making cloth napkins and hem work easier. I wasn't exactly sure how it worked but I love to sew and thought it would be a helpful addition to my sewing room. After some research, I figured out that I wanted the Brother 1034D. It wasn't too fancy or too basic and seemed to do everything I needed. I sent my husband an email with the link to the serger… made it really easy for him to order it for my birthday… smart girl ;)

Then I waited. The serger came in on Friday but my birthday wasn't until Monday. My husband and kids wouldn't even let me open the box and look at the Users Manual. So, I watched Youtube videos and blog tutorials on how to thread the serger and the different techniques that I could use. I was starting to seriously DOUBT my decision to buy the machine because I was reading about lots of problems.

I read a lot of info online about how difficult it was to thread!

I also read about how to remove the needle and thread finger to do a rolled hem. I didn't even know what a rolled hem was - needless to say, I was a little concerned. Why did I want a serger in the first place? I knew nothing about them!!! I got busy... I read and marked all kinds of helpful blogs and youtube links and pinned them on my

Serger Pinterest Board

The morning after my birthday party, I set aside several hours for threading and figuring out the machine. But fortunately I had discovered some great resources that helped and explained things so well that I sewed my first serger seam with no problems. I removed the stitch finger and needle, rethreaded the machine and tried a rolled hem - PERFECTION! I got out a stack of fabric and an hour later, I had a pile of fabric napkins.

Here's a link to the most helpful video I found on Youtube about...

threading the machine

I also found this tutorials about doing a rolled hem…

rolled hem tutorial

Since my birthday (3 weeks ago) I have made 6 sets of cloth napkins, 6 infinity scarves, a poodle skirt (for my daughter's 50s day at school) and a couple of maxi skirts.

I am so happy with my decision!

I will be posting several tutorials in the coming days about making items using the Brother 1034D.

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Healthy You - Shrimp and Grits

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A lighter version of Shrimp & Grits

Steve & I came up with this recipe last month after visiting Charleston for New Years.

While in SC, we enjoyed quite a few helpings of shrimp and grits.

When we got home, we were craving more shrimp and grits

which our waistlines didn't NEED... if ya know what I mean!

So we came up with this LIGHTER version of our favorite recipe.

Ingredients for shrimp:

4 slices center cut bacon, diced

2 tsp minced garlic

1 shallot, finely diced

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, seasoned with salt and pepper

Ingredients for grits:

6 c. water

1 Tbsp salt

1/2 Tbsp pepper

1 1/2 c. grits

1/4 stick of butter

1 c. reduced fat extra sharp cheddar, shredded (reserve 1/8 c)

Directions For Cheese Grits:

Bring salted water to boil. Add grits and pepper, stir for 30 seconds. Turn down heat to a simmer and cover. Cook until water absorbed, don't let the grits dry out, add milk if needed. Cook about 20 minutes. When finished cooking, stir in butter and cheese.

Directions For Shrimp recipe:

While grits are cooking...

Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until brown.

Remove from skillet and set aside.

Add garlic and shallot to skillet and sauté for 2 minutes.

Add shrimp to garlic and shallot in skillet.

Cook 2 minutes per side (max) until pink.

Don't overcook the shrimp.

Plate the food...

Place grits in base of bowl, top with shrimp. Sprinkle with reserved cheddar and bacon.

Enjoy!