A Bluestocking Knits

This was a surprisingly popular post on my old “Mommy Cooks” blog, and so since that is not longer available after TypePad’s demise, I thought I’d write it up again here!

We regularly use fabric napkins at our house, and also Japanese wrapping cloths (furoshiki) for gifts. When making a new set, mitering the corners of the hems is a simple way to get a finished look to them.

Fold the raw edges of your fabric 1/4 inch to the wrong side, and press.  Fold under again another 1/4 inch, and press.

Unfold these turnings, and trim off each corner diagonally across the second fold lines.

Fold this new edge 1/4 inch, and press.

Refold the straight edges and press again to form the miter. Top-stitch the folded edges into place.

There are many ways to tie furoshiki for wrapping gifts, carrying things, etc. Try the tutorials at Keiko Furoshiki, the classic PDF of illustrations from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, or any number of sources.