These are the rick rack-trimmed napkins I made for my mom, who loves yellow and red. They are also from Last Minute Patchwork. I never did find the cotton Rick Rack I was hoping to, but I went ahead and made these with the Wrights poly stuff. Still not loving the poly rick rack but I did love how these napkins turned out. When I find a good source for cotton rick rack, I'll probably be shouting it from the hilltops.
I did a set of eight and tied them up with some left over rick rack for presentation, 'cause I'm crazy that way.
I think this is a good project for anyone with basic sewing skills. However, I recommend two changes to Joelle's instructions.
First, the book doesn't specifically say to finish the raw edge of the napkin before sewing on the rick rack and turning it under. You really need to finish that raw edge somehow or it will fray when washed. I ran a quick three-thread serged hem around the napkins. If you don't own a serger, you could zigzag close to the edge. You could also turn the edge twice, burying the raw edge before sewing the topstitch around the napkin.
Second, I opted to sew on the rick rack 1/4 inch from the edge instead of 1/2 inch. This blended the edge more closely with the rick rack on the back side of the napkin and I felt it had a better look.
These are so cute. I want to make some. Did you get your ric rak online?
Posted by: Mary c | January 28, 2008 at 08:11 AM