Crafts   |   How to Sew Easy DIY Cocktail Napkins – Beginner Friendly Sewing Tutorial

How to Sew Easy DIY Cocktail Napkins – Beginner Friendly Sewing Tutorial

By a Bug & a Bean | Posted on 2025-09-23

Learn how to sew DIY cocktail napkins with this simple step-by-step sewing tutorial. Perfect for beginners, these reusable fabric napkins are eco-friendly, customizable, and great for parties or everyday use.

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SEWING PROJECTS  DIY HOME DECOR  

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These cocktail napkins are one of my favorite sewing projects, especially around the holiday season. I started making them to replace paper napkins and became obsessed with changing out my table settings for holidays and parties. They are useful, look adorable, and take less than 10 minutes to make!

These cocktail napkins are the perfect beginner sewing project. With just a square of fabric and a few straight stitches, you can create beautiful reusable napkins that are eco-friendly and stylish. These DIY fabric napkins can be made in seasonal prints, holiday patterns, or neutral tones, making them ideal for everyday use, themed parties, or as homemade gifts.

Supplies You’ll Need

As Seen in the Sewing Tutorial Video

Ruler and packaging showing a ruler that is safe for ironing.

Hot Hem Ruler

Measure and iron your hems directly on this iron-safe ruler. A huge time saver for creating perfect hems.

$14.49
Buy on Amazon
Small white and grey iron with steam options

Miniature Travel Steam Iron

This travel iron is perfect for ironing hems and small projects. It is portable and very useful in sewing and quilting.

$24.97
Buy on Amazon
A large grey wool iron with a miniature iron and silicon resting pad for the iron

Wool Ironing Mat

A wool iron mat can be extremely useful in your sewing projects. Pin fabric directly to the mat and watch as the mat retains the irons heat.

$15.99
Buy on Amazon

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Start with a 12 x 12 inch square of cotton fabric.
  2. Fold one edge up ½ inch and press with an iron. Fold it over again to hide the raw edge and press flat. Stitch across the folded edge.
  3. Move to the edge directly across. Fold up ½ inch, press, fold again, and press flat. Stitch along the folded edge.
  4. Repeat the same process with the remaining two edges to finish the napkin.

That’s it! In just a few minutes, you’ve sewn a reusable cocktail napkin. When folded, these napkins are also the perfect size to use as drink coasters.

Why Make DIY Cocktail Napkins?

  • Eco-friendly: Replace disposable paper napkins with reusable fabric.
  • Customizable: Choose fabrics to match holidays, parties, or your home décor.
  • Beginner friendly: Only straight stitching required—perfect for new sewists.
  • Budget friendly: Use fabric scraps or inexpensive cotton squares to make sets.

Whether you’re looking to reduce waste in your home, add a handmade touch to your table setting, or create a thoughtful handmade gift, these simple cocktail napkins are the perfect sewing project.

Watch the Video

We have a tiktok tutorial video for this project. Watch and follow our account @abugandabean for more creative ideas!

@abugandabean I've taken a short break from sewing as we had to put our oldest kitty to sleep. He had been with me for over 16 years and did absolutely everything with me (including sewing)! Today I went back into the sewing room for the first time in a couple of weeks and wanted to share a simple project that was one of my very first sewing projects, cocktail napkins! I absolutely love making these for the holidays. Each one takes less than 10 minutes to make and after you make a few, you can completely eliminate paper napkins. I have a ton of Christmas fabric so I figured it's never too early to get your table ready for Christmas. When folded, these are also the perfect size to use for drink coasters. Hope you enjoy and I hope to be posting more patterns and tutorials soon! #SewingTutorial #DIYHomeDecor #LearnToSew #SewingForBeginners #HandmadeHome #EasySewingProject #HomeDecorDIY #CocktailNapkins #ReusableNapkins #SewingIdeas #DIYTableDecor #SewingTikTok #sewingideas #EcoFriendlyLiving #sewwithme #sewing #craftymoms #diyhome #sewingmywayto10k #sewingproject #zerowaste #fyp ♬ A Happy Farm - codemusic