Stick ‘n Stitch Embroidery: Holiday Cloth Napkin Designs!

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Learn how to create embroidered napkins with Stick and Stitch patterns!

I really love giving beautiful gifts that are also functional. That’s what my goal was when coming up with a tutorial on how to embroider napkins! I’ll show you two ways to follow your design on the fabric using Stick n’ Stitch material. Then, you can use my embroidery stitch guide to bring them to life! With gentle washing, you can use these napkins for many special occasions. 

The full step-by-step video showing you exactly how to embroider with Stick N Stitch designs was part of Maker Academy Weekend 2024. Get a pass to watch all 18 workshops, each with a printable handbook, transcript, audio files, design files, and support with a Maker Academy Weekend 2024 VIP pass!

Did you know ADVANCE with JenniferMaker annual members get a free 2024 VIP pass and instant access to the 2024 Maker Academy Weekend projects? Join now!

To embroider napkins, I recommend starting with my festive designs because they use basic instructions and stitch designs. There’s a bear, a bird, a fox, and a snowman, and I’ll teach you each stitch you’ll need to know to embroider these designs.

The download includes a helpful printable stitching tutorial and guide. After learning the basic embroidery stitches, you can combine them in different ways to explore your own creativity! Soon, you’ll want to stitch embroidery patterns on everything. I think these beautiful embroidery designs would also look great on other items like tote bags, too!

I tried two ways to use Stick ‘n Stitch embroidery pattern material to make my napkins. Printing on the material works well, but I found that drawing the shapes on the adhesive Stick ‘n Stitch patches with my Cricut Maker 3 and washable fabric pen was a great option, because they disappear with warm water. 

Once your fabric and pattern are ready, you’ll just need some embroidery supplies! I used a simple needle, scissors, embroidery hoop, stabilizer, and embroidery floss. You can use the thread colors I listed, or pick your own colors! With a few adjustments, you can customize the snowman, cardinal bird, fox, and polar bear to make different animals and decorations!

   

When it comes time to stitch, you may feel nervous or intimidated if you’ve never had to stitch embroidery designs before. That’s why I’m here! With my step by step video tutorial and stitching guides, I walk you through each stitch so you can feel confident in your embroidery, then take those skills to future projects like embroidery hoop art. I love that we learn something new to take with us every time we do a project, don’t you?

Once you’ve finished with the embroidery, I’ll show you what you need to do to remove the Stick ‘n Stitch water-soluble patch. Water-soluble stabilizers like Stick ‘n Stick patches are single use, and since they wash away in water, there shouldn’t be a trace of it once you’re done. I also used another sheet of plain water-soluble stabilizer on the back to keep the stitches secure. It’s like magic!

These napkins are sure to impress your dinner guests at your holiday get-together. Experiment by mixing up your embroidery thread colors, or have fun and embroider different fabric prints. With your new skills and my adorable designs, they’re not going to believe that you made them yourself! 

Let me show you how to embroider napkins! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more, there is no additional cost)! Read my full disclosure policy.

How to Embroider Napkins with Stick ‘n Stitch!

The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to embroider napkins was available to watch for free for 24 hours during Maker Academy Weekend 2024, held online November 7-10, 2024. Get access to the Maker Academy Weekend 2024 videos, printable handbooks, and design files with a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program as an ANNUAL member!

Answers to Your Questions About My Napkin Embroidery Tutorial

Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?

A: This is a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2024 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video premiered during the event November 7-10, 2024. You can get access to the video tutorial and printable handbook that details how to make this great project if you get a 2024 VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend or by joining the ADVANCE with JenniferMaker program as an ANNUAL member which comes with other perks and bonuses, too!

Q: What is stick and stitch embroidery?

A: Stick and Stitch (another way of writing Stick ‘n Stitch or StickNStitch) is self-adhesive material (also known as water-soluble sticker paper) that you can draw your design on, stick to your project, and then wash away! You can get a DIY pack or basic variety pack with a variety of pre-printed designs from the company, but I like to print my own instead of using the full kit.

Q: Can I do embroidery with my Cricut?

A: A Cricut machine can’t make embroidery, but you can use one to draw patterns on fabric using Cricut pens, then add the embroidery stitches!

Q: What kind of napkins should I use?

A: I had the best results with the cotton polyester blend napkins in my material list.

Q: How do you transfer an image onto fabric for embroidery?

A: If you’re using Stick ‘n Stitch, you can use your inkjet printer to make a regular printed pattern on the material and follow the package’s instructions, or use a machine like a Cricut to draw on the fabric.

Q: What is the difference between stitching and embroidery?

A: Embroidery and stitching both use a thread and needle, but stitching (meaning cross stitching in this case) uses X shapes to create a pattern, while embroidery has many other stitch options. 

Q: How do I wash embroidered napkins?

A: If you want to get the most life out of your napkins, there are a few care considerations to keep in mind. The napkins, stabilizer, and threads are machine washable. I recommend washing in cold water, and using a mild detergent if needed. I also recommend letting these air dry to protect the threads.

Q: Where can I order Stick ‘n Stitch and other embroidery supplies?

A: I like to order Stick ‘n Stitch packs and other craft supplies on Amazon because of the product availability and the free shipping in the United States with my Prime membership. 

Q: About how long does one take to finish?
A: I took about 6 hrs for one design – but I was going slowly, so time may vary.

Q: Can you use tea towels?
A: Yes! You can use any cloth that you can easily push a needle and thread through.

Q: Could you use Infusible Ink pens with this project?
A: You can use Infusible Ink pens to make the designs, but be aware if you use a permanent method to draw the designs onto the material, they may still be visible under the stitching. The Stick N Stitch will allow the design to be there to help guide your stitches, but will then allow the draw lines to disappear after you are done stitching

Q: Are DXF for machine embroidery?
A: No, the DXF files are for other cutting machines like Silhouettes.

Q: Could you make these designs with fabric markers or paint?
A: Yes you could use the images to make a “paint by number” to color in with markers or paints.

Q: Can I turn these napkins into a cross stitch instead of embroidery? 
A: These designs can be recreated as a cross stitch, but it may be a little difficult to decide how to fill in the stitching without using a program capable of making cross stitch patterns from PNG files. There are specialty programs available that are made to do just that.

Q: Can the stabilizer be cut on the Cricut Maker, or is it too delicate?
A: The back stabilizer can be cut on the Cricut, but the material is finicky and it is much faster and easier to use scissors.

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I love seeing what you make with my designs and tips! Please share a photo of your embroidered napkins in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

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