Simply Mitered Corners

I absolutely love the look of miter corners. They just a bit of professionalism to my work. I’ve used them on just about everything — aprons, curtains and, of course, napkins.

So, today I’m going to add to the never ending blog tutorials on mitering corners. Though, to be honest, I do mine a little differently than other bloggers because I don’t use pins for marking the mitered corners. Thus, I’m going to show you how to make 4 double sided napkins in less than 1 hour with mitered corners using the 45 degree line on your ruler. Seriously, you can do it in this amount of time or less.

Let’s get started!

The supplies:
1.25 Yards of exterior fabric (I used Joel Dewerry’s Antler in Peony)
1.25 yards of interior fabric (I used Kona in Expresso)
Iron and Ironing Board
1 sheet of Card Stock (8.5 x 11 inches) and Pen
1 fabric marking tool (disappearing ink pen, pencil, or chalk)
Rotary Cutter and Mat

Step 1: Making the template

Using your ruler and pen, mark a line 1/4 inches from the edge of the card stock. Put aside.

Step 2: Cutting fabric

• Cut the exterior fabric into  2 strips of 22 x WOF.
• Take one strip, align the selvages. Trim selvages. ( You can trim the selvages at the beginning, but I find it easier to trim the at this point.)
• With the fabric still folded in half, snip at the fold and rip. You should have 2 rectangles at least 22x 22/21. Repeat steps for the other strip. You will have 4 rectangles (or squares) in total.
• From the interior fabric, cut (2) 18.5 inch strips. Sub-cut each strip into (2) 18.5 inch squares. You will have four in total.

Step 3: Pressing Seam allowance

• Take one of the exterior rectangles created above and the template created in step 1 to your ironing board.
• Pull the raw edge over the template until it meets the .25 inch line. Press. Continue around the entire rectangle (or square) until all raw edges are folded over .25 inches. Repeat for the other exterior 3 rectangles/squares.

Step 4: Making the mitered corners

Fold the rectangle in half on the diagonal, with right sides together. The two bottom angles should be closest to you.

Now this is the important part. Please pay attention because this how you create the perfect mitered corner.

Start on the right hand side and align the 45 degree marking on the folded edge.  Slide the ruler over until your are 1.5 inches from the point.

Using your fabric marker, draw a line along the ruler. Pin the fabric in place ensuring that the two folded edges are aligned. Repeat for the other side.

Open up the napkin and fold again across the cross-diagonal.

Repeat previous steps for marking.Once complete, repeat for the following 3 rectangles/squares.

 

Step 5: Sewing

Sew along the marked lines created in step 4. Trim fabric to create a .25 seam allowance. Using a point turner, push the corners right side out.

Step 6: Finishing

Take the rectangles to the ironing board and press the folded edge as straight as possible. Press all sides.

Insert the inner fabric in the center.

Pin around the edges to secure it.

Sew .25 inch seam allowance from the inner folded edge. Press the final napkin and marvel at your mitered edge!

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